|
Temperature is not an issue when planning a trip to sunny, dry Curaçao, since the average year-round daily high is 82°F (28°C) and constant trade winds keep humidity low. If rain falls, it's usually in November or December. The island lies below the hurricane belt, so there's usually no need to worry about being blown away while on vacation. If you're planning on diving, the most popular sites are at their calmest between September and December. If partying is more your scene, Carnival (February) is a great time to visit, but book early and expect higher prices.
As with most of the Caribbean, the peak tourist season is between December and April, but this has more to do with the weather in North America and Europe than it does with the weather on Curaçao. It's therefore best to visit outside this period, when tourists are thin on the ground and room rates tend to be 30-50% less than those charged during the busier months.
Unless you're on a cruise or you've built yourself a raft, the only way to get to Curaçao is by aeroplane. With the longest runway in the Caribbean, Curaçao's airport sees no shortage of international flights. From the US, American Airlines flies direct from Miami and American Eagle from San Juan, Puerto Rico. From Europe, both KLM and the smaller ArkeFly fly from Amsterdam. Several South American-_base_d airlines head to Curaçao from Caracas or Bogotá. A revolving door of Caribbean-_base_d airlines fly between Curaçao and Aruba or Sint Maarten. There's an air departure tax of USD22.50 for international destinations, USD6.00 if flying to other islands in the Netherlands Antilles.
Hato International Airport is 12km (7mi) northwest of Willemstad. There are rental car agencies at the airport and taxis and buses waiting to take you into the city; several hotels provide their guests with free transport from the airport.
With the average high in any day of the year not drifting too far from 30°C (86°F) there is plenty of sun for everyone, with spicy trade winds particularly seductive to northerners between January and March. October to December are the only particularly rainy months but showers are at most moderate in duration.
|
