Curacao is a popular vacation island in the south Caribbean, and if you are getting ready to leave for time on the beach in Curacao, you might be wondering about the preferred currency in Curacao. Perhaps you are traveling from the United States and so you are hoping to use US dollars in combination with your credit cards, but can you use US dollars in Curacao? What is the best currency for Curacao?
The best currency to use while in Curacao is the Dutch florin (Curacao’s official currency). Using Curacao’s official currency will often make transactions easier. Despite that, yes, US dollars are widely accepted in Curacao, and for the most part, you should have no problem using US dollars (there may be some local businesses that prefer florin).
In this article we will discuss the best currency for Curacao in more detail, discussing these various topics:
- What is the official currency of Curacao?
- Can you use US dollars in Curacao?
- Best currency to take to Curacao? And why?
- How to exchange money in Curacao
- Does Curacao accept Canadian Dollars?
- Does Curacao accept Euros?
Official Currency of Curacao
Curacao is in the Dutch Carribean area of the south Carribean and is officially part of the Kingdom of Netherlands. Therefore, the official currency in Curacao is the national currency of the Netherlands which is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (often referred to as the “florin”).
The abbreviation for this currency is NAFI. The exchange rate is relatively stable at about $1 USD for 1.80 NAFI (source). Curacao has a strong economy for its size ranking 46th overall in GDP. The Netherlands Antillean guilder and US Dollar exchange rate gap could close a bit if the economy continues to flourish.
Does Curacao Accept US dollars?
Since Curacao is such a popular tourist destination especially among US travelers, US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere on the island. Some tourists report that they choose to not even exchange their money upon arriving in Curacao since the US Dollar is accepted everywhere.
Additionally, many locations accept credit cards and debit cards as a convenience for tourists, and the transaction is submitted in Netherlands Antillean guilder but will show in both Netherlands Antillean guilder and US Dollars on the receipt.
Using Curacao’s official currency overally may make for smoother transactions, as well as removing the off chance of encountering a local vendor who doesn’t accept US dollars, but all things considered, it might just be easier to use US dollars and not have to worry about the hassle of exchanging.
If you do still wish to acquire some cash, you can go to one of the many ATM’s found on the island. These ATM’s will deliver cash to the user in either Netherlands Antillean guilder (florin) or US Dollars.
What is the Best Currency for Curacao?
As we just discussed, many tourists coming from the United States do not exchange money and retrieve Netherlands Antillean guilder. First, it’s just easier to not have to deal with the hassle of it, but also, there can be fees associated with foreign currency exchange when using a US debit card abroad, so many people opt for just US dollars, or just use their credit or debit card since they are so widely accepted. Even those travelers who get cash out of an ATM oftentimes just get US Dollars to use while on the island.
In the case of which currency is best to use though, you must consider that the official currency of Curacao is indeed the Netherlands Antillean guilder. Although many people report that virtually every place of business accepts the US Dollar, there are reports of “hidden fees” for using the US Dollar instead of the national currency.
This is something to beware of and is the main reason why it is definitely a good idea to get some Netherlands Antillean guilder just in case. You could try your credit card, debit card, or US Dollars in cash and see if there are any unforeseen fees when making the transaction, then if there is some kind of sneaky fee, it is okay because you have some Netherlands Antillean guilder as a backup. That is probably the safest and most fiscally responsible way to go about paying for your trip in Curacao.
How to Exchange Money in Curacao
As stated previously, there are plenty of ATM’s on Curacao, and almost every single one will offer to distribute money in US Dollars or Netherlands Antillean guilder. However, if you are bringing US Dollar bills or coins, and want to exchange it when you get to Curacao, then that is not a problem either.
You will simply need to find a merchant that offers currency exchange. Most merchants and banks can exchange your money into the Netherlands Antillean guilder. These places of business will give you a decent rate if you want to pick up some paper currency, and they will probably only charge you a small fee to cover their conversion cost (but there will be a fee).
Does Curacao accept Canadian Dollars?
Canadian Dollars are not accepted on Curacao. This is because the US Dollar is so widely accepted as it is the most major currency in North America and a lot of tourists are coming down from the United States.
If you are coming from Canada and want to use Canadian Dollars, your best bet is to either exchange the actual paper currency to the local currency of Netherlands Antillean guilder (the current exchange rate will apply) or simply use your credit card which will automatically charge you in Canadian Dollars on your billing statement.
Does Curacao accept Euros?
Euros are not accepted on Curacao. The reasoning is similar to the reason for Curacao not allowing Canadian Dollars, it is because the United States Dollar is so widely accepted.
If you are traveling from the EU and want to use Euros, you can exchange your money to either United States Dollars or to Netherlands Antillean guilder (the current exchange rate will apply) or simply use your credit card which will automatically charge you in Euros on your billing statement. A reason you might want to trade your Euros for United States Dollars is because the US Dollar is accepted in many other islands in the Caribbean, and depending on where you are traveling, you may want some United States Dollars for your future travels.
3 Curacao Currency Need-to-know Tips
- Be aware that there are no US coins anywhere on the island of Curacao, so if you do decide to use paper currency, you will get your coin change in Netherlands Antillean guilder.
- Most businesses do not carry $100 bills in US currency and some do not carry $50 bills, so keep that in mind when conducting business in Curacao.
- Make sure to check with your credit card company or bank if you are using a debit card in order to ensure that there are no foreign transaction fees or something similar. It is also a great idea to be proactive and call your credit card company or bank and let them know that you will be traveling abroad and not only will the bank be in the loop for your trip, but this is also an opportunity for you to ask them if there are any fees associated with using your card in Curacao.