Quick Facts about Curaçao
Curaçao is a small island located in the Southern Caribbean Sea, around 40 miles away from the coast of Venezuela. Together with Aruba and Bonaire, it forms the ABC Islands.
Curaçao has long been famous as a family-friendly destination. The island is just outside the hurricane belt weather, which means the island has warm and sunny weather all year round. And with the addition of the digital nomad visa for Curaçao, remote workers can now call the island home.
Living in Curaçao as a digital nomad
Curaçao catches the attention of many tourists and remote workers because of how exotic the island is. It has beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and extraordinary marine life. Curaçao can be an extremely relaxing place but also an exciting one.
It is famous for its many water sports. You can go scuba diving, snorkeling, and explore all the reefs surrounding the island.
Plus, traveling to Curaçao is easy, as you can reach it by plane from North America, Europe, and South America. You can also get there by sea on a yacht or cruise.
Attractions and best places to visit
As mentioned before, the island’s coral reefs are a definite must-visit. There are many diving schools all throughout the island, so you can easily find licensed PADI diving instructors. You can get an open water certification by completing at least four training dives with an instructor and passing a written exam.
There are many other activities to do in the water. You can swim with dolphins, go fishing, and enjoy nice boat trips. If you’re looking for something more exciting, you can go jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, and even take a 1,000-foot mini-submarine ride into the deep sea.
Additionally, Curaçao has many picturesque sites. In fact, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site downtown area, which showcases some colorful Dutch colonial architecture. Or pop down and visit the original Curaçao liqueur distillery.
If you’re looking for places that are perfect to post on your Instagram, you must visit Cas Abao Beach. This is a private beach, and it is the most beautiful one on the island. The price to enter is really cheap, and you can enjoy a quiet time in cute huts, lounging chairs, palm trees, and lots of coconuts. There are also many other beaches like Blue Bay Beach, Playa Kenepa Grandi, Playa Santa Cruz, and Little Knip Beach.
Another stand-out landmark for your social media is Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. This bridge connects two sections of the capital of the island Willemstad. The locals call it Swinging Old Lady, and this bridge is full of beautiful history you can’t miss.
Digital Nomad Hotspots
Willemstad is definitely a hotspot for tourists and digital nomads alike. This historic center is charming and a beautiful place to visit. The village looks like it was taken out of a storybook, with its colorful buildings and stunning architecture.
Since it’s the island’s capital city, you can easily find many Airbnbs and places to stay. Plus, many restaurants and cafes offer an authentic look into Curaçao’s culture.
Curaçao has only one international airport, Hato International Airport, and it’s about 12km from Willemstad. Willemstad is also a generally safe place for travelers. Just like any other place, you must beware of pick-pocketers, but you shouldn’t worry about major crimes.
If you’re looking for something different, Sint Michiel is a good place to stay if you’re on a budget. Sint Michiel is a former fishing village in Willemstad. It has lots of beaches and green areas to explore. You can visit Blue Bay and spend a day relaxing
If you enjoy the nightlife, then Piscadera is for you. It is located on the coast and has plenty of restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean. Additionally, there are many art galleries for you to visit.
Cost of Living
The currency of Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG). It is also called a Florin. The ANG rate is fixed to the US Dollar as $1 = 1.80ANG. However, you can use US dollars everywhere on the island, as they are widely accepted. Most stores and restaurants usually use the rate of $1 = 1.75ANG for convenience.
Finding an Airbnb isn’t hard, especially in Willemstad. You can find a room for $1,105/month. However, in Curaçao, it is much cheaper to rent an apartment. You can find a studio apartment in the center for $533/month.
A meal in an inexpensive restaurant is $16, and you can purchase a cappuccino for $3.70.
Public transport is very limited on the island, and it is much easier to walk around. You can also rent a car or take a taxi if you need to move greater distances.
The monthly estimated cost of living for a single person is $970 (without rent). For a family of four, it is $3,400 (without rent).
Digital Nomad Essentials
Curaçao has high-speed fiber internet. The cheapest one is a package of 100Mbps for $60/month. Mobile data is a bit more expensive. A pre-paid SIM card with 4G data costs around $75/month.
Cell phone reception is good practically everywhere on the island. However, there are certain rural areas where the reception is less reliable.
Additionally, almost all lodging options will offer Wi-Fi that you can use. There are also many open Wi-Fi networks all around Willemstad, especially downtown.
There are at least three coworking spaces in Willemstad:
Willemstad also has a variety of coffee shops and restaurants for you to visit, especially in the city center. Many of them offer an extraordinary exploration of local food that you can’t miss.
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Visa Overview
Curaçao has joined many other countries that offer a visa to remote workers. They call it the @Home in Curaçao Visa. They introduced the visa in order to reverse the decline in tourism, and now they offer longer stays for remote workers, digital nomads, and investors.
What they offer is a balanced work/life experience. Curaçao is famous for its multicultural community. So with this visa, you can stay connected to your co-workers while meeting new people and exploring the island’s beautiful culture.
@Home in Curaçao Visa allows you to stay on the island for up to six months. After this time is up, you can opt for a renewal of another six months.
Current travel restrictions
Luckily, Curaçao has been handling the COVID-19 situation pretty well. As of March 2022, the travel restrictions lowered significantly:
No COVID testing is required before traveling to Curaçao.
Complete the digital immigration card online before departure.
Digitally fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) 48 hours before your departure and carry a printed or digital document of proof with you.
At the airport of Curaçao, you are required to wear a mask at all times. There are pathways and markings on the floor to maintain a safe distance of 6 feet between all travelers. Additionally, all passengers must undergo a health check.
For more information, you can check out this website.
Citizen Remote has a broad range of resources to assist with the exciting process of relocating to another country!
Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Curaçao
The @Home in Curaçao Visa is available to all nationalities, which means everyone can apply for the visa.
Currently, the digital nomad visa is available for Remote workers or digital nomads, investors, and hibernators or snowbirds (these people migrate from winter climates to warmer climates for a season). When living in Curaçao on this visa, you will not need to pay any income tax.
To be eligible, you must prove that you can work independently, without the need of an office, using telecommunications technologies.
Additionally, you will need to prove that you fit under one of these categories:
You work for an employer registered in a foreign country, and you have a contract with that employer.
You conduct business activities for a company that is registered in a foreign country and of which you are a partner/shareholder;
You offer freelance or consulting services to clients whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country and with whom you have contracts.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Curaçao
The application process for the @Home in Curaçao Visa is very straightforward. You must fill out the application form on the online portal, and you can apply in Dutch, English, or Spanish.
Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa in Curaçao
Completed digital application form
Proof of payment for fees and costs
A clear copy of your passport’s photo page
Documents related to employment or company ownership
Medical or Health insurance (this must include COVID-19 related requirements)
One of the best things about this visa is that it does not require a minimum income.
How much does the digital nomad visa for Curaçao cost?
In order to complete your application, you must pay the fees. For remote workers or digital nomads, the total cost per applicant is 535ANG ($300 approximately). This price also applies to snowbirds or hibernators.
Some extra transaction fees may apply, but note that they are at your expense.
Timeline for Applying
Once you’ve gathered all the required documents, you must submit them online through the application form. The application process will take around 2 weeks.
Curious about what other Caribbean digital nomad visas you might qualify for? Why not check out Aruba or Montserrat?
