Have a mix of cards and small bills. Pay by card in XCG, the local currency, whenever you can. Some terminals only accept USD with foreign cards, so keep some cash in USD or XCG for small vendors and beach fees.
Currency basics
Monnaie locale : florin des Antilles néerlandaises (XCG, anciennement noté NAf).
Taux fixe : le XGC est indexé sur le dollar américain (environ 1 USD ≈ 1,79 XCG), donc les prix apparaissent souvent aussi en USD.
What to carry: a main card (Visa or Mastercard preferred) plus a bit of ANG for markets, snacks, parking, and small beach fees.
Pay by card (and save a few percent).
Choose XCG on the terminal. If you’re asked “pay in your home currency?”, always pick XCG to avoid hidden conversion fees.
Contactless payment works in most places in town and in beach clubs; Amex is less widely accepted.
Keep a physical backup card in case a terminal refuses mobile wallets..
ATMs : Where and how
Utilisez les DAB situés dans ou à côté d’une agence bancaire.
Fees: local ATM charges vary, and your bank may add its own. It’s cheaper to withdraw a reasonable amount less often to cut down on fixed per-withdrawal fees.
Security tip: cover the keypad and wait for your card before taking the cash. If anything feels off, cancel and use another ATM.
Currency choice: most ATMs dispense XCG, and some also offer USD. XCG is accepted everywhere. USD is widely accepted too, but change is usually given in XCG.
Tipping: Made simlple
Restaurants: in some places you’ll see a service charge added to the bill, usually around 10 to 12.5%. This is not a tip. It covers the use of the tables, chairs, and general service. For takeaway food, for example, this charge usually doesn’t apply.
In Curaçao, tipping isn’t really an obligation. It’s appreciated if the staff have been especially attentive or if you genuinely enjoyed the service, but it’s not something you’re expected to do every time. The idea is to reward real effort, not turn tipping into a mechanical habit. In snack bars or for small services, rounding up the bill is usually more than enough.
Bars/cafés : arrondir ou laisser une petite pièce.
Taxis: not required; just round up to a convenient amount.
Hotels: bell staff usually receive USD 1–2 per bag. For housekeeping, USD 2–5 per night is appreciated depending on the service, but it’s not required.
Excursions and outings:
For The Little Green Boat, we don’t accept cash tips. The best “tip” is telling people you had an amazing day with us.
If you really want to give something back, we encourage you to make a donation to STCC (Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao).
Beach clubs, marchés & petits vendeurs
Beach access and loungers: some beaches are free, while beach clubs may charge for entry, parking, and sun loungers. Many accept cards, but some prefer cash, so it’s worth carrying small bills.
Markets and snack bars: cash is often preferred. Keep 10 XCG notes and some coins handy.
Receipts: ask for one so you can see what’s for entry, sunbeds, and food.
Price ranges (approximate).
(Typical price ranges, not guaranteed; they vary by location and season.)
Small rental car: $35–60 per day in low season.
Airport taxi to central Willemstad: $30–45.
Beach-club entry: $3–10 per person; sunbeds: $10–25.
Local lunch at Plasa Bieu or a snack stand: $8–15.
Coffee or soft drink: $3–5.
Simple dinner (without alcohol): $15–30 per person.
Cash or card: which to use when?
Card: hotels, car rentals, supermarkets, sit-down restaurants, and beach clubs with clear card facilities.
Cash: small vendors, isolated kiosks, local buses, places with minimum charges, or when card terminals are down.
Tips that genuinely save money.
Book your car and popular restaurants in advance during high season to avoid last-minute prices.
Refill your water bottle, the tap water here is excellent quality.
Share dishes or choose the catch of the day to keep the bill lighter.
Plan your days by area to cut down on fuel and taxi time.
If you’re given the option, always refuse foreign currency conversion on the terminal and choose XCG instead.
FAQs (so you don’t have to wonder later).
Can I use only USD? Often yes, but XCG is the safer choice for exact pricing. Change is usually given in XCG.
Should I bring cash from home? If you can, but it’s not necessary; just use bank-linked ATMs when you arrive.
Are cards safe to use? Yes — just normal city-level precautions, nothing out of the ordinary.
In summary
Bring a card that doesn’t charge extra for foreign payments, keep some XCG on hand for small purchases, always choose XCG on card terminals, and check whether a service charge is already included before leaving a tip.
For boat trips with The Little Green Boat, skip cash tips. The best way to say thanks is to spread the word, or make a donation to STCC instead.