A tropical island, the sun, and a drink in your hand… and suddenly: a stomachache, an accident, or something else that comes out of the blue. Not the first thing you think of when planning your vacation, but still worth taking a moment to consider.
Even though we hope you enjoy Curaçao without a care, it’s good to know what to do if something does happen.
That’s why we’ve put together the essential information on insurance, medical care, and emergencies for you.
Our answer: yes, definitely.
It is not compulsory, but it is very sensible. Especially if you need medical care, lose your luggage or something else unexpected happens that you did not take into account.
Make sure that your insurance:
Curaçao has modern medical facilities and is generally well organised. There are general practitioners, pharmacies, a hospital and several clinics.
General practitioners and first aid
For non-urgent complaints, you can visit a local general practitioner during the day. You can often be seen within a day, sometimes even without an appointment. Nowadays, you can also send a text message to many general practitioners first.
Outside office hours, a GP service is available. The central emergency service can be reached by dialling 910.
Botika pharmacies
There are pharmacies all over the island, with one or two botikas in every neighborhood. They are open until around 6 p.m. on weekdays, and there is always a pharmacy open on weekends and at night. You can find it at: and it is called Botika na warda.
Hospital
The hospital is the CMC (Curaçao Medical Center) in Otrobanda. This is where you can go for acute care, emergencies, or hospital admission.
In real emergencies, call 911. Ambulances are well equipped and arrive quickly, especially in urban areas.
A consultation with a general practitioner costs approximately 60 to 80 XCG. Medication and hospital care can quickly become expensive. That is why good insurance is important.
You often have to pay on the spot and can then claim the amount back from your insurer later. So make sure you keep your receipts and forms safe!
No one hopes to need it, but a little preparation can really save a lot of stress. And if something does happen, you will know exactly what to do and where to go.
See you soon at dushi Curaçao
