Curaçao entry, DI card, safety and hurricanes

Curaçao is one of the easiest Caribbean islands to visit as a couple: it has an international airport, tourist infrastructure, familiar languages (Dutch, Papiamentu, and good English and Spanish in the tourism sector) and a British official advice with no off-limits zones. That does not mean there is nothing to prepare. This guide summarises the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice and the US CDC sheet, consulted on 7 November 2026. Rules for other nationalities may differ: confirm with the island government and your consulate. For places and plans, see our guide to Curaçao for couples.

Entry: passport, stay and digital card

The passport must be valid for the whole stay; entry is refused with an invalid document or a passport reported lost or stolen. British citizens may stay up to 90 days in a calendar year without a visa, and longer stays can be extended at immigration if you show insurance covering the extra period. You must complete the digital immigration card (DI card) online at least 48 hours before arrival, and also if you are only in transit. If you come from a yellow fever risk country, a vaccination certificate is required. Customs applies strict rules: declare anything that may be prohibited or taxable. The advice does not mention a cash declaration.

Safety in tourist areas

The FCDO considers petty theft and bag snatching the main concern, and says tourist areas are generally safe. Even so, it recommends avoiding isolated places, including beaches, after dark; keeping valuables out of sight; watching for bag snatchers and leaving nothing in the rental car. Serious violence is linked to the drug trade. Carry a copy of your passport photo page, which you must carry, and keep the original in the hotel safe.

Drugs, trafficking and luggage

The advice explains that criminal groups use the Dutch Caribbean to send drugs from South America to Europe and North America. Never leave your luggage unattended when leaving the country, never discuss or agree to carry a package for anyone and assume controls will be strict: some airports may ask for a body scan and Dutch authorities generally screen baggage and passengers. That advice holds across the region, not only on this island.

Hurricanes and climate

The hurricane season in the Dutch Caribbean runs from June to November. Most pass well north of Curaçao, which has no recent record of a major hurricane, although occasional tropical storms can occur. Follow the Curaçao Meteorological Department, the US National Hurricane Center and the World Meteorological Organization. The climate is semi-arid: about 827 mm of rain a year and some 3,380 hours of sunshine, so any month works if you accept the heat.

Health: what the CDC recommends

The CDC recommends hepatitis A and B for unvaccinated travellers, full measles vaccination and, for adults expecting new sexual partners, the mpox vaccine, two doses four weeks apart, starting at least six weeks before travel. Dengue and Zika are mosquito-borne; Zika can pass from a pregnant woman to the foetus. Leptospirosis (avoid floodwater), melioidosis, hantavirus and tuberculosis are also cited. Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended, but a certificate is required for those arriving from risk countries. Read more in sexual health in the Dutch Caribbean.

Before you leave: quick checklist

1. Valid passport and a photo-page copy. 2. DI card completed 48 hours ahead. 3. Travel insurance covering your itinerary and emergency costs. 4. Vaccines reviewed with your doctor. 5. A beach plan: no valuables, daylight only. 6. Car and accommodation booked. 7. Check the forecast if travelling from June to November.

Adult scene

We could not verify any club or lifestyle event in Curaçao with a live official website and a consent policy, and we expressly discard any commercial sex-leisure establishment. The neighbouring island, Aruba, is another calm getaway option.

Ideas to organise the getaway

The island is best enjoyed with a flexible plan: book accommodation near Willemstad to walk the historic centre, rent a car only if you will explore remote beaches and plan those trips by day. Keep valuables in the safe, carry water and sunscreen, and book restaurants ahead on busy dates. If your partner values culture, devote a morning to the synagogue and the floating bridge; if they want rest, choose an easy-access beach and stay there.

Sources and limits

This guide relies on official sources consulted on 7 November 2026; travel advice, entry requirements and health recommendations change at short notice and depend on your nationality, so always confirm with your consulate, the country's embassy and a health professional. We have not added data that does not appear in those sources, and where something could not be checked we say so. References:

• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/curacao
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/curacao/entry-requirements
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/curacao/safety-and-security
• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/curacao

Frequently asked questions

When must I complete the DI card? At least 48 hours before arrival, also in transit.

How long can I stay without a visa? Up to 90 days per calendar year for British passports.

Are there hurricanes? Uncommon; the official season runs from June to November.

Which vaccines does the CDC recommend? Hepatitis A and B, measles and, where relevant, mpox.