Car Rental in Curacao
Curacao has an unusually deep bench of local car rental agencies. We read live prices from fifteen of them, so the total you see here is the total their own booking page quotes for the same dates.
In our checks, a 7-day economy rental in early November ran from $210 to $368 depending on the agency. That is a $158 spread on the same class of car, in the same week.
The Short Version
- 1.An economy car handles the whole island. Main roads are paved. You only want ground clearance for a few unpaved beach tracks in the far west.
- 2.Compare totals, not day rates. Minimum rental periods, airport fees and deductibles move the real number more than the headline price does.
- 3.Check the deposit before you book. It runs from nothing at Just Drive to $1,000 at Boric if you use your own credit card cover.
What Type of Car?
Economy and compact cars (Kia Picanto, Chevrolet Spark, Toyota Agya, Kia Rio) cover almost everything visitors do here. Willemstad, Mambo Beach, Jan Thiel, Blue Bay, Cas Abao and the drive out to Westpunt are all on paved road.
SUVs and crossovers earn their keep on the last few hundred meters of some west-coast beach tracks and on the approach to Shete Boka. Check whether your agency insures unpaved roads before you use one.
Seven seats and up narrows the field fast. Dushi Rentals lists X-Large SUVs in 7 and 8 seat versions, Right Side has a Kia Telluride and two 7-seat classes, and SmartWheels is the only agency here with a 12-seater passenger van.
One thing to watch: a few of the cheapest listings are manual. United's Economy Basic and RR's Kia Picanto both are. If you want an automatic, read the class name.
Airport Pickup vs. Delivery
| Airport shuttle | Delivery to you | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free at most agencies, $20 at D&D | Free at D&D, Right Side and RR |
| Time to car | A few minutes from arrivals | Whenever you arrange it |
| Best for | Anyone leaving the city | City stays, late flights |
There is no terminal-counter premium to avoid here. The local agencies all work from offices or car parks near Hato and shuttle you across, which is why their prices sit so close together.
Insurance: Read the Deductible
Every rental here includes third-party liability, which is required by law. The number that actually varies is what you pay if you damage the car.
- •Zero deductible built in. D&D includes CDW, theft and liability at 0 excess on every car.
- •Low fixed deductible. Just Drive sets $300 and sells a 0-risk option. Around Curacao sets $350 and clears it for $20 a day.
- •Pay per day for cover. Dushi Rentals runs three levels from $6 to $19 a day. Boric charges $25 a day for full coverage, $27 on minivans.
- •Fixed excess whatever you buy. Right Side applies a US$400 deductible at all times, refundable if you were not at fault and they recover the money.
Using your credit card's own cover is possible but expensive at pickup. Boric raises the deposit to $1,000 if you decline theirs and says it will not negotiate with card insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to rent a car in Curacao?
A valid driver’s license from your home country and a payment card. United Car Rental and MB-Equipment also ask for a passport. Around Curacao states that no international driving permit is needed as long as your license uses the Latin alphabet, while Boric asks international visitors to bring one alongside their home license.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Curacao?
Most local agencies set 23. SmartWheels rents from 19 with an extra daily fee for drivers aged 19 to 23, Around Curacao rents from 21, and United Car Rental accepts drivers aged 21 and 22 with all-risk insurance and a $1,000 deposit instead of the usual $500. MB-Equipment terms allow drivers from 18.
Is insurance included in Curacao rental rates?
Usually some of it. Third-party liability is included almost everywhere. Collision cover varies: D&D includes CDW, theft and liability with a zero deductible, Just Drive includes full insurance with a $300 deductible, and Dushi Rentals sells collision cover separately from $6 to $19 per day. Check the deductible, not just the word insurance.
How big a deposit should I expect?
It ranges widely. Just Drive takes no security deposit at all and SmartWheels advertises none. Around Curacao takes $350 at pickup, United $500 for drivers 23 and over, and Boric $500 rising to $1,000 if you decline their insurance. RR Car Rental works in guilders at ANG 650.
Is there a minimum rental period in Curacao?
Several agencies have one. D&D asks for five days, Just Drive for four and RR Car Rental for three. Boric confirms it will rent for a single day. If your trip is short, check this before you compare prices.
Do prices show in dollars or guilders?
Both are used on the island. Most agencies quote in US dollars. MB-Equipment quotes in Caribbean guilders, which are pegged to the dollar at about 1.79 to 1. Our comparison converts everything to dollars so the totals line up.