It is one of the first questions guests ask us before they fly in: do we need a rental car on Curaçao? The honest answer is: it depends on where you stay and what kind of holiday you have in mind. Here is how we would decide.
When a rental car is worth it
Curaçao is bigger than most visitors expect, and the famous postcard beaches — Grote Knip, Playa Lagun, Cas Abao, Porto Marie — are spread along the west coast, roughly 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Jan Thiel. There is no Uber on the island and taxis work with set rates, so if you want to explore beaches, visit Willemstad more than once, or do your own grocery shopping, a car quickly becomes the practical choice.
A car also gives you freedom in the evenings. Restaurants and beach clubs are scattered around the island, and being able to decide spontaneously where to have dinner is part of the fun.
When you can do without one
We will be honest: not everyone needs a car for the whole stay. If you stay at Hibiscus Beach House, Jan Thiel Beach, several restaurants, beach clubs and a supermarket are all within walking distance. Some guests happily spend most of their holiday on foot, rent a car for just two or three days of exploring, and use a taxi or our airport pickup for the rest. That combination often works out cheaper and more relaxed than a car sitting unused in the sun.
Good to know before you drive on Curaçao
Driving on Curaçao is easy for most visitors. You drive on the right, road signs follow international conventions, and a valid driver’s licence from your home country is normally all you need. Distances are short — crossing the whole island takes about an hour — and traffic outside Willemstad is calm. Do keep an eye out for the occasional pothole, speed bump and crossing iguana once you leave the main roads.
Parking is free almost everywhere, including at Hibiscus Beach House, but paid parking applies in the centre of Willemstad. We wrote a separate guide about that: Parking in Curaçao: what visitors need to know.
Renting a car through us
We arrange rental cars for our guests through local partners we know and trust, often with delivery at your accommodation — so you skip the airport rental desk entirely. Have a look at our car rental service, or send us a message on WhatsApp and we will go through the options with you. No obligations, just honest advice.
Frequently asked questions
Diana & Martin
Hibiscus Beach House Curaçao