Car rental in Curacao 

You’ll find the usual car rental agencies here in Curacao, as well as a bunch of local car rental companies which are generally cheaper than the big boys.

See below for more info about things to consider when renting a vehicle and some top Dive Bus tips :o)

Things to consider when renting a vehicle:

• Since a taxi ride from the airport to your accommodation will cost you at least $25 depending on where you’re staying, your best bet is to arrange to pick up your rental from the airport. Your accommodation may well be able to do this for you if you don't want the hassle of doing it yourself.
   
• Open jeeps such as Suzuki Samaris are great fun to drive and cope well with some of  Curacao’s bouncier ‘roads’ (dirt tracks). However, bear in mind that these are totally open so you can’t leave anything valuable unattended in them.
   
• Regular cars with a trunk may not be as much fun but they are more practical in terms of security. You’ll get air co instead of the trade winds rushing through your hair, and you’ll be able to leave valuables including spare tanks hidden in your trunk.
   
• We recommend a car rather than a truck so you can use the trunk for stuff  - including spare tanks. Check out these Security Tips to help avoid theft from your vehicle or elsewhere.
   
• A lot of the car rental companies are snotty about sand in their vehicles and can charge you to have it cleaned. So instead bring a tarp with you or buy one from The Dive Bus Hut to line the trunk / back seats, whatever.
   
• Don't forget your drivers' licence!!! It may sound obvious but you'd be amazed how many people do. No licence = no driving.

Top tips (borne out of experience...)

• If you're renting a car, an absolute MUST-have is the Curacao Drive and Dive map. Whilst you'll get a free map with your rental car, good luck with trying to find anywhere using it... (We're not hot on road signs or street signs here so don't shoot the navigator). The Drive and Dive map is the only decent one available and even then you're bound to get lost (it's all part of the adventure...). Copies readily available including The Dive Bus Hut.
   
• Avoid excess car rental charges by using a tarp to cover the car seats and protect them from all the sand your equipment will pick up from the beaches. Lots of car rental companies charge extra to clean out the sand... go figure. Bring a tarp with you from home or get pick one up from The Dive Bus Hut. (They're also useful for gearing up on the beach to avoid sandy bits in your wetsuit and in your sensitive dive equipment.)
   
• Invest in a dry box - cigarette pack size is ideal. You can fit your c-card, car keys, room key, money, credit card, DAN details and emergency contact in and take it out diving with you. This way you'll have all your important stuff on your dive so you can relax. Dry boxes available from The Dive Bus Hut (of course).