Dollars, guilders or card? Paying in Curaçao

Money · 2 min read · Checked November 7, 2026

The currency: the Caribbean guilder

Since 31 March 2025 Curaçao's own money is the Caribbean guilder, written XCG and often Cg on price tags. It replaced the old Netherlands Antillean guilder one for one. The guilder is pegged to the US dollar: 1 dollar is 1.79 guilders, and shops usually count 1.82 guilders for a dollar.

Old Antillean guilders are no longer accepted in shops. The central bank still exchanges them until 2055.

Paying with US dollars

• US dollars are accepted almost everywhere: in shops, restaurants, taxis and on tours.
• You usually get your change in guilders.
• Euros are not used in shops. Exchange them at a bank, with a valid ID. Banks usually close between 2:00 and 3:30 in the afternoon.

Cards and cash machines

• Most shops, restaurants and hotels take credit and debit cards. Visa and Mastercard work wherever cards do. American Express is not accepted everywhere.
• Taxis usually can't take cards, and some attractions far from Willemstad want cash. Carry some dollars or guilders.
• Cash machines are marked Bankomatiko and give US dollars or guilders.
• Tell your bank you're travelling, and ask them what they charge abroad.

Tipping

Restaurants often add a service charge of around 10 percent, and hotels around 12 percent. A service charge is not a tip. For good service 5 to 10 percent for the waiter is common, and around 10 percent for a taxi driver. Tipping is always your choice.

Paying for tours

Every tour on Kua Kaminda says on its page how and when you pay: online when you book, a deposit, or the rest on the day. See all tours.

Sources: Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Curaçao Tourist Board.

Photo: a 50 Caribbean guilder note by Sattirico, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.