Money & Payments in Willemstad (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Always choose to settle in local currency (XCG) at ATMs and card machines to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees—domestic conversion offers fairer rates than merchant markup
Bank ATMs (MCB, Banco di Caribe, RBC) do not charge operator fees for foreign cards, but your home bank may charge international transaction fees; check before traveling
Independent/unbranded ATMs in souvenir shops and near cruise terminals typically charge XCG 5–10 per withdrawal with poor exchange rates—avoid these
Service charges (10–15%) listed as 'servicio' on restaurant bills in Willemstad are not tips; always verify your bill before leaving additional gratuity
USD is widely accepted and the exchange is fixed at 1.79 XCG per USD, but paying in XCG directly gives slightly better value
Gas stations accept cash only with a minimum USD 20 purchase; plan accordingly if renting a car
Tap-to-pay and contactless payments often limited to XCG 100 per transaction; insert card for larger amounts
Carry small USD bills ($1, $5, $10) and local currency (XCG 20–50) for everyday expenses; larger denominations (USD 50+, XCG 200) harder to break at small vendors
If you still have old Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) bills, exchange at banks until 31 March 2026 (free) or at Central Bank until 2055

Cash Needs

Recommended Daily Backup: XCG 90

Where Cash Required

Floating market in Punda (cash-only, primarily Venezuelan boats selling produce)
Local snack bars (snèks) in residential neighborhoods
Taxi rides and private transportation
Some beach access fees and parking meters in downtown Willemstad
Small independent shops in Scharloo and Pietermaai districts
Gas stations (require minimum USD 20, cash only)

ATM Details

Availability: Widely available in Willemstad and at airport; bank ATMs (MCB, Banco di Caribe, RBC) recommended over independent machines
Best Practice: Use bank-branded ATMs; withdraw larger amounts once to minimize per-transaction fees; always select local currency (XCG) to avoid dynamic currency conversion markup
Supported Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro widely accepted
Withdrawal Limits: Maximum XCG 1,000–1,790 per transaction (approx. USD 560–1,000)

Fee Structure

Bank ATMs: XCG 9.00
Independent ATMs To Avoid: XCG 9.00
Unbranded machines in tourist zones typically charge XCG 5–10 and offer poor DCC rates

Tipping Norms

General Notes: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; less deeply rooted than in North America; Dutch influence creates more relaxed culture; USD accepted and preferred for tips

Restaurants

No Service Charge

Percentage: 10–15% expected if service charge not included
Practice: Round up bill or leave cash on table
Note: Tipping appreciated but not mandatory; tip in cash when possible to ensure staff receive it

Service Charge Included

Percentage: 10–15% automatically added as 'servicio'
Status: Common practice
Additional Tip: Not required if service charge present, but small cash amount appreciated for exceptional service
Note: Service charge goes to fixed costs (utilities, WiFi) and distributed among staff, not a tip; check bill before adding extra

Other Services

Housekeeping: XCG 9.00
Per night; leave in envelope marked 'tip' in hotel room
Taxi Drivers: XCG 2.00
Round up or tip ~10% of fare
Hotel Bellhops: XCG 4.00
Per bag carried
Tour Guides Dive Instructors: XCG 18
Per person for full day tour; varies by quality and length

Local Currency

Code: XCG
Name: Caribbean Guilder
Note: Replaced Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) on 31 March 2025. Fixed exchange rate to USD: 1 USD = 1.79 XCG

Card Acceptance

Discover: Very limited acceptance
Visa Mastercard: Widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shops, beach clubs, and supermarkets
American Express: Accepted at larger hotels and some upscale restaurants; not widely accepted at smaller businesses
Contactless Digital: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and tap-to-pay accepted at modern businesses in Punda, Otrobanda, and beach resorts; often limited to XCG 100 per transaction
Best Areas For Cards: Willemstad's Handelskade, Punda shopping district, Otrobanda, beach clubs, hotels

Currency Alternatives

EUR

Acceptance: Not accepted for direct payments; some tourist establishments accept EUR at unfavorable rates
Restrictions: Banks accept EUR bills in perfect condition only; exchanges limited to EUR 300 per day with XCG 15–25 fee; requires passport and flight ticket

USD

Acceptance: Widely accepted; most businesses quote prices in both XCG and USD
Fixed Conversion: Approximately 1 USD = 1.75–1.80 XCG in practice; fixed peg of 1.79 XCG = 1 USD official
Note: Change often given in local currency (XCG); USD slightly less favorable than paying in XCG

Banking

Account Types: Foreigners can open accounts in the local currency (XCG, Caribbean Guilder since July 2025, formerly ANG) or in foreign currencies including USD and EUR.
Key Considerations: Curaçao has a stable financial sector but limited banking options for foreign non-residents compared to other offshore centers. Most major domestic banks focus on local residents. Banks that do accept foreign non-residents are typically smaller or specialized offshore banking firms.
Regulatory Environment: Regulated by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS). Subject to anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) compliance. Not on any international blacklists.
Remote Account Opening: Yes, almost all banks accepting foreign non-residents allow 100% remote account opening. No in-person visit to Willemstad required.
Account Opening Timeline: 14 working days for processing, plus 7-14 days for document preparation and submission. Many banks allow fully remote online account opening for foreign non-residents.
Minimum Deposit Requirements: Vary by bank; typically USD $10,000-$50,000 for foreign non-residents. Some digital banks (e.g., The Kingdom Bank) accept as low as USD $1,000.
Available Banks For Foreigners: Major banks include Maduro & Curiel's Bank, RBC Caribbean, CIBC First Caribbean (challenging for non-residents); offshore/foreign-friendly banks include SAI Bank, The Kingdom Bank, and several regional institutions. However, compared to larger offshore jurisdictions, Curaçao has fewer account-opening options.

Basic Requirements

Valid government-issued photo identification (passport)
Proof of address
Proof of income or recent bank statements (max 3 months old)
Source of funds declaration

Account Maintenance Costs

Monthly Account Maintenance Fee (Example From SAI Bank)
Monthly Account Maintenance Fee (Example From SAI Bank)
XCG 27

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Willemstad

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Willemstad