Is Curacao expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Curaçao is mid-to-high priced for the Caribbean: generally cheaper than Aruba or the Bahamas, but well above Mexico or the Dominican Republic. A budget day is about Cg 190 per person, mid-range about Cg 390 and comfort about Cg 840. Accommodation, car hire and boat trips take most of the money; local lunches are good value.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Cg90 | Cg180 | Cg420 |
| Food & drink | Cg50 | Cg100 | Cg200 |
| Sights & tickets | Cg20 | Cg60 | Cg140 |
| Local transport | Cg30 | Cg50 | Cg80 |
| Per person, per day | Cg190 | Cg390 | Cg840 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Curacao day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Lunch at Plasa Bieu (stewed goat, fish, funchi) | Cg 20-30 |
| Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue with museum | about Cg 20 (US$11) |
| Kura Hulanda Museum | about Cg 25 |
| Christoffel National Park entry | about Cg 25-35 |
| Snorkel gear rental at the beach | about Cg 15-25 |
| Klein Curaçao day trip with meals | about Cg 180-250 |
| Dinner main in Pietermaai | Cg 35-60 |
| Guesthouse double, Otrobanda or Pietermaai | Cg 150-250 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Rooms are the biggest cost, from about Cg 150-250 for guesthouses in Otrobanda and Pietermaai to Cg 550-1,200 for resorts, plus room tax and service charges of roughly 12-20%. Public buses exist but are infrequent, so most visitors hire a car, which is a steady daily cost. Boat trips to Klein Curaçao and diving are the big one-off expenses. Many beaches charge a small entry or parking fee, and imported groceries are pricier than in Europe.
When it is cheaper
Prices are highest from mid-December to April. From May to November, outside the main season, many hotels and apartments drop rates, often by roughly 20-30%; Curaçao lies outside the main hurricane belt, so the low season is a sensible time to go.
How to spend less
- Eat lunch at Plasa Bieu in Punda, where local cooks serve big plates for Cg 20-30.
- Rent an apartment with a kitchen and shop at the large supermarkets.
- Hire a car only for the days you go west to Christoffel and the beaches.
- Bring your own snorkel mask; the reefs at Playa Piskado and Lagun are right off the shore.
- Pay in guilders where possible; rounding into US dollars is not always in your favour.
- Visit Willemstad's historic quarters on foot, which costs nothing.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Curaçao cost?
About Cg 190 (around US$105) per person on a budget, Cg 390 mid-range and Cg 840 for comfort.
What currency is used in Curaçao?
The Caribbean guilder (Cg), which replaced the Antillean guilder in 2025, at about Cg 1.79 to US$1. US dollars and cards are widely accepted.
Do beaches in Curaçao charge entry?
Some do, usually Cg 10-15 per car or person, because they are on private land; the fee covers parking, toilets and showers.