Car rental options
A rental car is the default. Small automatics start around €25 to €35 per day, less on longer contracts. NextWave residents can bundle a car into their monthly rate through our vehicle partner, which usually beats short-term rentals.
Scooter rules
Scooters exist but are not the way most students get around. Roads outside of Willemstad have no shoulders, drivers are relaxed with lane discipline, and rain squalls come fast. Fine for short hops, not the daily driver.
Public transport
Small konvoi buses run set routes from Willemstad to the main neighborhoods. Cheap, useful for the occasional errand, not designed for a beach schedule. Ride-hailing apps exist but are not always reliable outside the city.
Distances to key areas
The island is only about 65 km long. From our houses in Willemstad, most of daily life is within a 10 to 25 minute drive.
- Downtown Willemstad
5 to 10 minutes.
- Mambo Beach & Pietermaai nightlife
10 to 15 minutes.
- Curaçao International Airport
15 to 20 minutes.
- Cas Abao & Porto Mari beaches
25 to 35 minutes.
- Kenepa (Playa Kenepa Grandi)
45 to 55 minutes to the far west.
Driving in Curaçao basics
Right-hand side of the road, kilometers, and gas stations everywhere. A US or EU license is fine for tourists. Roads in and around Willemstad are fine; western dirt roads to the wild beaches are bumpy but doable in any small car.