CURACAO WELCOMES NEW RESORTS, AIRLIFT AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Dutch Caribbean Island Invites Travelers from North America
WILLEMSTAD – AUGUST 2021 – The Dutch island of Curaçao has seen a surge of new and re-branded hotel developments backed by the world’s top hospitality brands, as well as expanded flight routes from the US and Canada. This has been a strong year for the island’s expansion with brands like Sandals, Wyndham, and Hilton all planting a flag in Curaçao. In early 2021, Sandals Resorts International announced that it will transform the current Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort into Sandals® Royal Curaçao. Set to begin in late 2021, the transformation will initially include 350-luxurious rooms and suites stretched along the Spanish Water Bay and the Caribbean Sea, with further expansion planned in the coming years. Conceptual plans for the resort include adding key elements for the signature Sandals experience, including new expansive pools, a variety of dining options, lavish accommodations, and newly constructed River Suites. Guests will also have access to the neighboring 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course, two onsite marinas, and a 38,000-square-feet indoor and outdoor event and meeting space – the largest on the island upon completion. The Sandals® Royal Curaçao goes on sale Aug. 4, 2021, and is set to open fully on April 14, 2022.
This growth and development come on the heels of renovations and openings of three additional global brands including Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa, and Casino, and Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino in the heart of Willemstad and adjacent to the Rif Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that completed a $12 million redesign that included a refreshed lobby, 223 guestrooms, on-property casino, and Nautilus restaurant.
EXPANDED AIRLIFT
Catering to these developments and subsequent increased demand and seasonal travel influx, airlift to Curaçao is back in full swing. For US travelers, American Airlines flies daily from Miami International Airport (MIA) and will add a second flight every Saturday from November 6 to December 11, with plans to run a second daily flight starting December 16, 2021. Non-stop flights from New Jersey (EWR) on United Airlines are set to resume on a weekly basis starting November 6, while the weekly non-stop flight from Charlotte (CLT) on American begins operating again on Saturdays starting December 4. Twice weekly direct flights from New York (JFK) on JetBlue Airways continue to be fully operational.
For Canadian travelers, direct flights are available from both Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) starting this Fall. The Air Canada weekly flights from Toronto (YYZ) will resume on October 1, with a second weekly flight planned for Mondays starting December 20. WestJet Airlines will also begin operating its weekly Sunday flight from YYZ starting on October 31. From Montreal, Air Canada will operate twice per week on Mondays and Wednesdays as of December 13, 2021.
TRAVEL UPDATES
For travel updates, visit www.curacao.com.
Curacao Entry Requirements: Welcoming international visitors since January 1, 2021, Curaçao’s entry requirements and safety protocols have adapted to coincide with the evolving travel environment. To enter the country, travelers must complete the below mandatory steps via www.dicardcuracao.com:
- Complete the digital immigration card online before departure.
- Digitally, fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) 48 hours prior to departure and carry a printed document of proof with you.
- Each visitor entering Curaçao will need to show a negative result from a certified COVID-19 PCR-test taken at most 72 hours before your flight to Curaçao or a negative result from an antigen test taken at most 24 hours before your flight to Curaçao. You will need to carry a printed document of proof with you. You will be required to upload the negative test results of the COVID-19 PCR-test ondicardcuracao.com before departure.
- 3rd-dayon-island Antigen test. All passengers departing from low-risk, high-risk, or very high-risk countries are required to undergo an Antigen test at a local laboratory on the 3rd day in Curaçao. The reservation and payment of the 3rd day antigen test is part of the PLC process.
ABOUT CURAÇAO
Home to more than 35 captivating beaches, a diverse heritage spanning 55 different cultures, including Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese, a “live and let live” attitude, and stunning European architecture, Curaçao – which sits on the outer fringes of the Hurricane Belt – remains an unrivaled tropical escape in the Southern Caribbean. Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the “best islands in the Caribbean,” Curaçao’s natural beauty, world-class dive sites, pristine beaches, and idyllic weather have won it further accolades and recognition. Its capital city, Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – features the iconic and colorful Handelskade backdrop, vibrant street art, and a growing portfolio of boutiques, al fresco restaurants and trendy cafes, just to name a few of the many reasons why Curaçao continues to flourish as one of the most exceptional islands in the region.
For general travel updates and destination entry requirements, visit www.curacao.com or call toll-free 1-800-328-7222. Travelers can also download the “Dushi Stay” mobile application, which provides real-time updates, island-wide protocols, emergency contact numbers, and health tips, as well as a current list of open restaurants, attractions, and beaches.
Connect with the Curaçao Tourist Board on social media by following us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/curacaotb, Twitter: @CuracaoTravel, and Instagram: @CuracaoTB.
