Capital: Kralendijk
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 599
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Police 11, Ambulance 14. All services – 5997 8004
Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (020) 7222 4335 Fax: (020) 7222 4335.
Passport information: Valid Passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact Embassy before departure.
Visa information: Nationals of Australia, Canada the USA and Japan are allowed to stay for 14 days without a visa providing they have proof of return or onward tickets. Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa providing they have a return or onward ticket. NOTE: Enquire at the Ministers office at the Hague for a complete up to date list of regulations regarding individual countries.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from an infected area.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food
Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to NAG 200.
Credit cards are accepted in large establishments. Travellers cheques in US currency is the most welcomed.
ATM availability: 10 locations approximately.
Cost of living: Generally inexpensive goods, especially perfume, jewellery and alcohol
Languages: Dutch. Papiamento, English and Spanish are also spoken
Weather: Hot throughout the year with cooling sea winds. Wet season Oct to Dec.
Electricity: 127 volts AC 50 Hz.
Post: 4 – 6 days.
Transport: ROAD: Reasonably good but a 4-wheel drive may be required for extensive tourism of the island. CAR HIRE: Firms are located at the airport and large hotels. DOCUMENTATION: A valid national licence will be sufficient but drivers must be 23 years or older. TAXI: A good taxi service exists on the island
Special information: Beachwear is only suitable for the beach or poolside. Most bars and restaurants outside the two main hotel resorts are closed by midnight.