Capital: Willemstad
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 599 Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 114, Ambulance – 112. All services – 444444
Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (020) 7222 4335 Fax: (020) 7222 4325.
Passport information: Passports required by all except: Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands holding a national identity card. Nationals of the USA holding voters registration card or birth certificate and alien residents of the USA with an alien registration card. Nationals of Canada with birth certificate or proof of citizenship. Nationals of San Marino with a valid ID card or a passport not expired for more than 5 years. Nationals and Alien residents of Venezuela and travellers in Venezuela, visiting the Netherlands Antilles holding a national identity card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: Nationals of Australia, Canada the USA and Japan are allowed to stay for 14 days without a visa. Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa provided they have onward or return tickets. NOTE: Contact the embassy for an up to date complete list of visa regulations, which are complex and may change at short notice.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 6 months of age arriving from infected areas.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food
Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents.
At official tourist shops purchases can only be made in US Dollars.
Credit cards are accepted in large establishments. US dollar travellers cheques are the most welcomed.
ATM availability: 10 locations.
Cost of living: The most expensive of the Netherlands Antilles.
Languages: Dutch. English, Spanish Papiamento are also used.
Weather: Hot all year round with cooling winds. Raining season Oct – Dec.
Electricity: 1110/220 volts AC 50 Hz.
Post: 4 – 6 days.
Transport: TRANSPORT
ROAD: An IDP is required. BUS: A good bus service operates throughout the island and many hotels operate their own mini-buses to the capital. TAXI and CAR HIRE: Plentiful.
Special information: Swim wear for beach / pool-side only.