Published: April 14, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Dutch Caribbean Travel Advisories. This report focuses mainly on Curaçao, the location of the U.S. Consulate serving the Dutch Caribbean, but mentions conditions on the other islands, comprising Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. OSAC Country Security Reports are available for these locations across the region:
- OSAC’s Eastern Caribbean Country Security Report covers Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- OSAC’s Grenada Country Security Report is country specific.
- OSAC's French Caribbean Country Security report covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, and French St. Martin.
- OSAC’s Barbados Country Security Report is country specific.
Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Consulate: J.B. Gorsiraweg 1, Willemstad, Curaçao
Tel: +599-9-433 2200
Hours: 0800-1700 Monday – Friday
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There are no OSAC chapters in the Dutch Caribbean. Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.
Dutch Caribbean Travel Advisories
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Saba.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten as being MEDIUM-threat locations, and Saba and Sint Eustatius as LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisories for the Dutch Caribbean.
The Dutch Caribbean is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking from Columbia and Venezuela. The majority of this crime is unlikely to impact U.S. travelers in the region.
Street crime such as petty theft, vehicle break-ins, and pickpocketing is a persistent risk. Overall crime rates in the Dutch Caribbean are relatively low. However, there has been a noted increase of handguns on all of the islands. These guns are being used for robberies of businesses that store large amounts of cash and gang-related activity
Credit card fraud and ATM skimming devices are a risk on the islands, especially as tourism increases. Utilize ATMs in well-lit areas with lots of pedestrian traffic or at a bank as they often have cameras and security devices on them. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN on ATMs and ensure businesses run your credit card with the machine in front of you.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisories for the Dutch Caribbean.
Kidnappings for ransom or political/ideological reasons are extremely rare within the Dutch Caribbean.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State assesses the entire Dutch Caribbean as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisories for the Dutch Caribbean.
There are no known terrorist or extremist groups indigenous to the Dutch Caribbean. There are also no indications external groups operate in the Dutch Caribbean. However, that is not the case with neighboring countries: Hizb’allah is suspected to have a presence in Venezuela and Trinidad & Tobago sent more extremists per capita to Syria to fight on behalf of ISIS than any other country. Elements associated with dissident groups of the former of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) may sometimes engage in illegal drug related activities within the Dutch Caribbean.
All travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. These could take place in public areas, and terrorist groups throughout the world periodically target aircraft, buses, boats and tourist facilities.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State assesses the entire Dutch Caribbean as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the entire Dutch Caribbean. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Elections throughout the Dutch Caribbean are generally free, fair, and transparent, and transfers of power are historically peaceful. The Netherlands is providing financial assistance to the three semi-autonomous countries of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, but aid is dependent on implementation of austerity measures, which are a contentious political issue. During the March 2024 election in Curaçao, the ruling party won with a landslide victory.
Protests & Demonstrations
Historically, the Dutch Caribbean has witnessed few incidents of politically motivated violence.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Occasionally, individual government or civil-society leaders criticize U.S. government policies or the presence of the U.S. armed forces’ Cooperative Security Location in Curaçao, but such criticism is limited to rhetoric and generally does not adversely affect U.S. citizens or their interests.
Law Enforcement
The three semi-autonomous countries have their own police forces, referred to as the Korps Politie Curaçao, Aruba, or Sint Maarten (KPC, KPA, or KPSM). The remaining three islands of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius, which are municipalities of the Netherlands, are policed by the Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland (KPCN). These forces are augmented by the Koninklijke Marechaussee (KMAR), a branch of the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces similar to a gendarmerie, which conducts criminal investigations involving the borders of the Dutch Caribbean and also performs para-military operations such as riot response.
The Dutch Special Police Forces Unit (Recherche Samenwerkings Team, RST) is a special investigations unit from the Netherlands that supports the KPC with anti-drug, money laundering, human smuggling, and other high-profile cases throughout the Dutch Caribbean. The semi-autonomous countries also each have their own internal security service; the Veiligheidsdienst Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten (VDA, VDC, VDSM).
Police Response
The police forces on all the islands are trained and equipped but suffer from chronic staffing shortages and lack of advanced training. Police are supplemented by the RST for specialized investigations Although responses to significant or life-threatening incidents is prompt, requests for assistance in dealing with low-level crimes may be delayed due to a shortage of patrol units. Traffic enforcement is rare and minor traffic accidents are contracted to a private company for the initial response and report.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in the Dutch Caribbean, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Dutch Caribbean.
There are no significant issues of arbitrary detention or official harassment that would impact OSAC members operating in the Dutch Caribbean
Cybersecurity
There are no cybersecurity concerns specific to the Dutch Caribbean.
Import/Export Restrictions
The importation of firearms, ammunition, and training weapons which appear to be firearms into Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten requires prior approval and coordination with each country’s Ministry of Justice and customs service. There are no import restrictions on satellite phones, or on personal medications. Medications should be carried with their original prescription, and in their original packaging.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
