Curaçao Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Curaçao — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Curaçao has functional healthcare with one main hospital — Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), opened 2019, replacing the aging St Elisabeth Hospital. CMC is modern and well-equipped. Multiple private clinics available. English and Spanish widely spoken alongside Papiamentu and Dutch. Complex cases evacuate to Colombia or the Netherlands.
System type: Public hospital (CMC) + private clinics. Part of Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 912 (ambulance) or 911 (police) or 114 (fire)
Typical response time: 10-15 minutes. Island is 61km long — reasonable coverage.
Costs: CMC ER: ANG 100-500 ($56-280) for visitors. Admission: ANG 500-1,500/day.
Call 912 for ambulance. CMC (2019, modern) is the main and only hospital. Hyperbaric chamber available for diving emergencies.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Private clinics — walk-in or appointment. Hotel doctors available in tourist areas.
Typical wait: Private: same-day. CMC outpatient: 1-4 hours.
Typical cost: Private GP: ANG 50-150 ($28-84). Specialist: ANG 100-300 ($56-168).
Adequate in Willemstad. Limited in western/eastern ends of island.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus
Dengue/Zika possible. No malaria. UV intense year-round.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
Part of Kingdom of the Netherlands but NOT the EU. Digital Immigration Card required before travel.
Documents to prepare:
- Passport
- Travel insurance
- Digital Immigration Card (fill online before travel)
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: ANG 50-150 ($28-84)
Emergency care without insurance: ANG 200-2,000 ($112-1,120)
Medication: Botica (pharmacy) chains available. Moderate prices. Dutch pharmaceutical standards.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm. Botica di warda (duty pharmacy) for after-hours.
Over the counter: Good range.
Controlled substances: Dutch-based regulations. Carry prescriptions.
Things that catch visitors out in Curaçao
- CMC (opened 2019) is a modern hospital — much better than the old facility
- English and Spanish widely spoken — minimal language barriers
- Hyperbaric chamber available for diving injuries
- Part of Kingdom of Netherlands but NOT the EU — different visa/entry rules
- Digital Immigration Card must be filled out BEFORE travel
Practical tips for travellers
- Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) — modern hospital (2019). Main facility for everything.
- Multiple dive shops coordinate diving emergency protocols — ask about nearest chamber
- Botica di warda (duty pharmacy) for after-hours — locations listed on pharmacy doors
- UV protection essential year-round — Caribbean latitude, intense sun
- Bring regular medications — some may not be available locally
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