General Information

General Information

General Information

Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island with strong ties to the Netherlands (and the rest of Europe), the United States of America and Latin America and the Caribbean. Doing business in Curaçao, one can make use of preferential arrangements when exporting to Europe (making use of the Overseas Countries and Territories status) and the United States (under the Caribbean Basin Initiative agreement).

Curaçao has traditionally had strong ties to Latin America and the Caribbean, given the flow of migration and its proximity to the continent. Contrary to many other Caribbean islands, tourism is not the only well-developed sector. The Curaçao economy is quite diversified: logistics, the international financial sector, transnational education and oil processing are also important economic pillars.

The island also has a good physical infrastructure, including many natural harbors, an upgraded airport with a capacity for 1.6 million passengers and stable telephone and internet connections. All this makes Curaçao a safe and successful environment for investors.

Language

The local language is Papiamentu, which has its roots in Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and some African languages. The official languages are Dutch, Papiamentu, and English, but Spanish is also spoken by most of the natives.

Currency

The currency unit is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder, whose international symbol is ANG. guilder (ANG) has been pegged to the US dollar at the following exchange rate:

  • buying rate bank notes: ANG. 1.77;
  • buying rate drafts, checks, traveler’s checks & transfers: ANG. 1.78;
  • selling rate to the public: ANG 1.82.

The exchange rate offered by shops and hotels ranges from ANG 1.75 to ANG 1.80. Major credit cards, US dollars, and Euros are widely accepted.

International Time

The Curaçao time zone is four hours behind Greenwich (summer) Mean Time (GMT); in other words, Curaçao falls within the Atlantic Standard Time zone and equals E.S.T. + 1.

Entry Requirements

Canadian and US citizens need either a valid passport or proof of citizenship in the form of an original birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID, and an onward or return ticket. Most other nationals need only a passport. Visitors from, for example, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti require a visa. You will need to apply for a residence permit if you plan to stay for longer than three months. You are not allowed to work or live in Curaçao without a work or residence permit.

The International School of Curaçao (ISC)

is a non-profit, US-based curriculum school serving the needs of students ages 2-19 with English as the language of instruction. ISC currently holds three recognized accreditations with AdvancEd/SACS, the Council of International School (CIS), and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, all of which are a testament to the quality of education ISC offers. In addition to the excellent academic program, non-English speakers are immersed in the school’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program, within the school schedule, to help them build their English skills and ensure their success in day-to-day classes.

For more detailed information regarding ICS and their academic programs, visit www.isc.cw.

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