Marriage Requirements
Getting married in Curaçao is a brilliant way to declare your love for each other and begin a new life together. When traveling for your destination wedding, you’ll want to meet all necessary marriage requirements to ensure a smooth and stress-free start to your married life. Since planning a wedding overseas can be complicated, it can be helpful to work with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist.
In Curaçao, only civil marriages are recognized by law. However, if you so choose, you can have a religious ceremony after your civil Curaçao wedding. Also know that most couples choose to have a symbolic ceremony while away, and make it legal at home, afterwards. In the case of having a symbolic destination wedding in Curaçao, these requirements do not apply.
To be legally married in Curaçao, you both need to be 18 years of age or older. You must write a letter to the civil registrar requesting to get married, and the letter must be signed by both of you. In the letter, you’ll need to list your personal information, as well as the full addresses of both parties, including phone numbers and email addresses.
In addition, both parties will have to enclose the following documentation. All documents must be less than six months old to be considered valid.
- A copy of your passport
- A certified copy of your birth certificate with an Apostille stamp*
- If divorced or widowed, a declaration of your single status in the form of a copy of divorce decree or a death certificate, plus an Apostille/ legalization of proof required
- Your profession, as well as those of your parents
- The name of your father and mother (including her maiden name), along with their places and dates of birth
While you may write the letter in English, any original documents that aren’t in Dutch (the official language of Curaçao) or English must be translated into Dutch by a certified translator.
*To be recognized in Curaçao, official documents such as marriage and birth certificates need an Apostille stamp. Contact your Secretary of State to learn how to get Apostilles for your official documents.
When you’ve written the letter and have all your documentation ready to go, send them to the civil registrar.
You can get the address, as well as learn more about Curaçao wedding requirements for U.S. citizens, at the U.S. Consulate General’s website. If you live in a different country, contact your consulate in the Caribbean for more information.
Travel Information
Travel Documents
In general, tourists who hold a valid passport may visit Curaçao for up to 90 days. Only visitors from Cuba, Haiti or Peru need a tourist visa. Those traveling from China, India or the Dominican Republic need a visa unless they hold a multiple entry visa from the Schengen countries, Canada or the United States. The Curaçao Tourist Board provides a full list of nationalities that do not need a visa, which you can review here.
To enter Curaçao, you’ll need:
- A valid passport
- A visa (if applicable)
- A return ticket or outward ticket you can present upon arrival
- Travel documents to return to your own country or another one
- Sufficient money for food and lodgings
Note that if you’ve travelled to a country with a risk of yellow fever, you’ll also need to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever upon arrival. If you have medical issues that prevent you from receiving the vaccination, you’ll need to show an official document that proves you’re exempt.
Language
Dutch is the official language of Curaçao, although English and Spanish are widely spoken. However, most residents speak Papiamentu – a blend of Dutch, Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, African, and Arawak Indian.
While you can definitely get by with English, you can score points with the locals if you know a few Dutch, Spanish or Papiamentu phrases, such as:
- Good morning - Goedemorgen (Dutch), Buenos dias (Spanish), Bon dia (Papiamentu)
- Welcome - Welkom (Dutch), Biendenido (Spanish), Bon bini (Papiamentu)
- How are you? - Hoe gaat het? (Dutch), Cómo estás? (Spanish), Kon ta bai? (Papiamentu)
- What's your name? - Wat is je naam? (Dutch), Como te llama? (Spanish), Kon bo yama? (Papiamentu)
- My name is... - Mijn naam is...(Dutch), Me llamo...(Spanish), Mi yama...(Papiamentu)
- Thank you - Dankuwel (Dutch), Gracias (Spanish), Danki (Papiamentu)
- You're welcome - Graag gedaan (Dutch), De nama (Spanish), Di nada (Papiamentu)
- See you later - Tot ziens (Dutch), Hasta luego (Spanish), Te otro biaha (Papiamentu)
- How much does this cost? - Hoeveel kost dit? (Dutch), Cuánto cuesta este? (Spanish), Kwanto esaki ta costa? (Papiamentu)
- Please - Astublieft (Dutch), Por favor (Spanish), Por fabor (Papiamentu)
Currency and Tipping
The currency in Curaçao is the florin – officially called the Netherlands Antilles guilder – and abbreviated as ANG or Nafl. One Netherlands Antilless guilder (ƒ1) is approximately $0.56 U.S. dollars. You can find ATMs in most of the towns, as well as at the airport.
Many stores and venues also accept U.S. dollars, but be aware that they usually don’t have change in dollars. All major credit cards are widely accepted.
When it comes to tips, most restaurants add a service change of up to 15 percent to their bills. Hotels usually add a 12 percent service charge. However, it’s always wise to check your receipt to make sure the service charge is included. If not, it’s advisable to leave a tip.
Porters at the airport expect a $1 or ƒ2 tip, and you’ll want to tip taxis drivers 20 percent. Additionally, it’s nice to tip boat captains, tour guides, and anyone else who performs a service.
Climate & Beaches
Climate
Curaçao’s mild weather makes it the perfect place for a beach wedding. The island has a tropical savannah climate; meaning it has a wet season that lasts from October to December, and a dry season that lasts from January to September. If you’re looking for the best time to book a Curaçao wedding package, anytime between January and the end of September is preferable.
Temperatures on the island range from 78 degrees Fahrenheit to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. January is the coolest month, and September is typically the warmest. The constant trade winds – which usually feel like a pleasant breeze – help keep the days cool and the nights relatively warm.
Beaches
The island has 35 beaches, so you’ll have plenty of choice as to where to hold your Curaçao wedding. Some beaches are tourist hot spots, some are the locals’ favorites, and others are quiet little paradises where you can forget about the rest of the world for a while.
If the word “beach” conjures images of pristine white sand bordering crystal clear water, then Santa Barbara Beach won’t disappoint. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the calm lagoon; then enjoy the marvelous views from the comfort of your lounge chair with a nice, cool drink from the bar.
Kokomo Beach is great for couples and families alike. While the beach itself is relatively small, it features amenities as well as a shop, diving school, museum, beach bar, and restaurant.
Boka Sami, or Boka St. Michiel, is a relatively quiet beach near the old fishing village of St. Michiel. There’s a small fishing pier, and the water is great for swimming and snorkeling.
Is snorkeling or diving is your thing? Then you’ll love Playa Lagun, a small cove on the northwest side of the island. It’s surrounded by cliffs and the water is filled with reef fish, making for stunning vistas both in and out of the water!
For a luxurious day by the water, you absolutely need to visit the Infinity Beach Club at Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino Beach. The entire resort is designed in a fusion of contemporary island elegance with European sophistication… and it shows. Soak up the sun, schedule a massage, and end the day with an exquisite meal – all on the same beautiful beach.
With relatively quiet beaches and stunning vistas, Playa Kenepa is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It consists of two beaches: Kenepa Grandi (or Grote Knip) and Kenepa Chiki (or Kleine Knip). Kenapa Grandi, the larger of the two, has a white sand beach and beautiful blue waters, while Kenepa Chiki is quieter and best known as a snorkeling destination.
Getting Around
Curaçao is a relatively small island of only 171 square miles, and has one main city: Willemstad, the capital. There’s one airport, Curaçao International Airport (also known as Hato International Airport), which has services to North America, South America, and Europe, and serves as a regional hub for all of the Caribbean.
Because of the island’s diminutive size, the infrastructure doesn’t include railroads or canals – yet there are surprisingly many ways to get around, depending on your preference. Most hotels are located in or around Willemstad and provide shuttle buses to the center of town, which is easy to navigate by foot. If you want to cover a bit more distance while taking it all in, rent a bicycle or scooter. You can also rent a car, so long as you have a valid driver’s license.
You can easily find taxis in Willemstad, Otrobanda, and Punda – they’re characterized by registration plates that start with Taxi or TX. Note that there are standard rates that apply, so it’s wise to ask your hotel concierge for an overview.
Curaçao has a dependable public transportation system, so long as you don’t mind taking your time. There are two types of buses: the konvooi, which travels longer distances, and vans, recognizable by “BUS” on the license plates. These are smaller and more local to the towns. Buses depart from the bus stations by the post office (on Waaigatplein) in Punda and the bus terminal on Sebastopolstraat in Otrobanda. You can ask for more information about their routes at the terminals.
Activities & Attractions
Activities
For a small island, there’s no shortage of activities on Curaçao!
To celebrate your bachelor or bachelorette party in style, why not charter a boat to go to Klein Curaçao? With a name that literally translates as “little Curaçao,” the small, uninhabited island is approximately two hours off the coast of Curaçao. It has the whitest, longest beach of the two islands and is the perfect place for a beach party.
If you and your guests still have time before or after your destination wedding, there are so many fun things to do. Visit the lively capital of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a beautiful harbor. To learn more about the history of Curaçao, spend a morning or afternoon at the famous Kura Hulanda Museum. And for a fun day with the kids, go to the Sea Aquarium, where you can even pay a visit to the Dolphin Academy and interact with dolphins!
Of course, there’s plenty of snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and even sailing to be done in Curaçao. If you’re a novice, don’t worry: There are many qualified instructors on the island.
However, Curaçao has more than just beaches. The northern part of the island is home to Christoffel National Park with the famous Mount Christoffel. There are several hiking trails, and you can also navigate some of the park by car. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit Sheta Boka Park, an adjacent park that features just over six miles of rugged coastline with stunning caverns and small beaches where sea turtles lay eggs. One of the best ways to enjoy both Christoffel Park and Sheta Boka Park is with a guided tour, as the guides can point out all the highlights for you and your wedding party.
Nightlife
One of the fun things about Curaçao is that the locals like to party as much as the tourists do – so there are many venues featuring a wide range of music. Of course, the most spectacular party of the year is Carnival, which is one of the longest lasting in the Caribbean. It’s held each year from the end of January through the middle of February and features several parades in the center of Willemstad – including a children’s parade and, of course, the “Gran Marcha” or Grand Carnival Parade.
The Saliña district is where most nightlife is centered, but hot spots can pop up at any time. It’s always a good idea to talk to a local to find out what’s really popular. And there are several venues that don’t go out of style. Blues, the bar at the Avila Beach Hotel, is a favorite among jazz and blues aficionados. Right on the water, Hook’s Hut is famous for its happy hour, and Mambo Beach has a popular salsa night on Sundays.
Whatever your interests, you’re sure to have a fantastic time both day and night when celebrating your nuptials in Curaçao!