Renting a Car in Curaçao: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re going to Curaçao, I’m just going to say it upfront—rent a car. You can get around without one, but it makes everything harder and you’ll miss a lot. Renting a car in Curaçao ended up being one of the best decisions I made on this trip.

Do You Really Need a Car in Curaçao?

I picked up the car and used it every single day—driving to beaches, going to dinner, and getting between different areas that are nowhere near each other. Curaçao is spread out, so nothing is really walkable in a practical way unless you stay in one small area the whole time.

I kept thinking about how limited the trip would’ve been without it, especially when I was bouncing between different beaches in the same day. If you’re planning to stay at a resort the entire time, you can skip it, but if you actually want to explore, renting a car in Curaçao makes a huge difference.

If you’re planning your days around different parts of the island, check out my Curaçao 7 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Curaçao so you can see how everything connects.

What It’s Like Driving in Curaçao

I got in the car the first time thinking it might feel a little chaotic, and it really didn’t. The roads were in good shape, and nothing felt confusing once I started driving.

They drive on the right side, just like the U.S., so that part clicked right away. I kept running into roundabouts, but after a few, I stopped hesitating and just went with it.

I ended up driving all over the island and didn’t feel stressed or overwhelmed at all.

Do You Need an International Driver’s License?

I checked this before the trip and it was simple. I used my regular U.S. driver’s license and that was it—no extra steps, no extra documents.

Where to Rent a Car

I booked my car ahead of time here, and I’d do that again. It gave me more options and better pricing compared to waiting until I landed.

You can rent at the airport when you arrive, book ahead online, or go through your hotel. If you’re coming in on a cruise, there are rental options right at the Mega Cruise Terminal, so you can grab a car for the day without going far.

What If You Don’t Want to Drive?

I’ve been to Curaçao a few times now, and on one trip when I stayed at a resort, I looked into other options so I didn’t have to drive. I ended up booking a customizable day tour here, and they handled all the driving while we still made it to multiple spots. It was nice not having to think about directions or logistics for the day.

It worked really well for a day, but after doing that, I was glad I had a car for my other trips because I didn’t want to be on a set schedule the whole time.

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What Kind of Car Should You Get?

I rented a standard car and never felt like I needed anything more. Most of the main roads are paved and easy to drive, so nothing required anything special.

If I had planned to go deeper into more remote areas, I might’ve considered something with more clearance, but for a typical trip, a regular car works just fine.

Parking in Curaçao

I pulled into beach parking lots and restaurant spots all week and never had trouble finding somewhere to park. Most places either had designated areas or space nearby that worked.

I did have to circle a bit in Willemstad before finding a spot, but it didn’t turn into a whole situation—it just took a minute.

Gas Stations + Fuel

I stopped for gas a couple of times, and everything was straightforward. Stations were easy to find, and most of them took credit cards.

I kept a little cash on me just in case, which ended up being helpful.

Is It Safe to Drive in Curaçao?

I drove around the island the entire trip and never felt uncomfortable. I still paid attention like I would anywhere, but nothing stood out as an issue.

Is Renting a Car in Curaçao Worth It?

I kept using the car to move between beaches, try different restaurants, and see more of the island, and that’s when it really clicked. Without it, I would’ve been stuck choosing one area and staying there the whole time.

With it, I got to actually experience different parts of Curaçao, not just the area around where I stayed.

If you’re figuring out where to stay based on how much you want to drive, check out Where to Stay in Curaçao (Best Areas + Hotels) so you can plan it better.

Final Thoughts

Renting a car in Curaçao gave me the flexibility to beach hop, try more restaurants, and actually see the island instead of staying in one spot.

If you want that kind of trip, I wouldn’t skip it.