Curaçao’s ethnic inhabitants—the Arawak, Dutch, Spanish, West Indian, Latin, and African—have created a rich heritage and thriving culture. Explore the remarkable diversity of our amazing island.

Dutch, Spanish, and English are spoken on Curaçao, along with Papiamento, a patois that combines the three major tongues with Amerindian and African dialects. English is understood and spoken throughout the tourist resorts.

Ancient Carnival is a main tourist attraction. It began as a Catholic rite to represent the Christian practice of “Carne Levale,” or giving up meat for Lent.

In the 19th century, Curaçao continued the tradition by organizing masquerade parties and marches in private clubs. It wasn’t until 1969 that Curaçao’s Carnival started to gain the popularity it enjoys today

It’s one of the largest and longest lasting Carnival spectacles of the Caribbean—starting in early January, and ending late February/ March.

Curaçao has an average temperature of 81°F (27°C); trade winds keep the island quite comfortable. It's flat and arid, with an average rainfall of only 22 inches per year.

The electricity is 110- to 130-volt AC (50 cycles), the same as in North America, although many hotels have transformers for European appliances.

Curaçao is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round, 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as eastern daylight saving time.