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Netherlands Antilles
Country Specific Information
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May 12, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
The five islands of Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius (or “Statia”) and St. Maarten (Dutch side) comprise the Netherlands
Antilles, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department
of State Background Notes on the Netherlands Antilles for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
The U.S. Consulate recommends traveling in the Netherlands Antilles with a valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings. A lost or stolen passport is also easier to replace when outside the United States than other evidence of citizenship. Visitors to the Netherlands Antilles may be asked to show onward/return tickets or proof of sufficient funds for their stay. Length of stay is granted for two weeks and may be extended for 90 days by the head office of immigration. For further information, travelers may contact the Royal Netherlands Embassy, 4200 Linnean Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 244-5300, or the Dutch Consulate in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Houston or Miami. Visit the web site for the Embassy of the Netherlands for the most current visa information.
We have more information pertaining to dual nationality and international child abduction. Please refer to our customs information to learn more about customs regulations.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Drug-related organized crime exists within the Netherlands Antilles but has not directly affected tourists in the past.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for
callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For
general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the
Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: In recent years, street crime has increased, especially in St. Maarten. Valuables, including passports, left unattended on
beaches, in cars and hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft, and visitors should leave valuables and personal papers secured
in their hotel. Burglary and break-ins are increasingly common at resorts, beach houses and hotels. Armed robbery occasionally
occurs. The American boating community has reported a handful of incidents in the past, and visitors are urged to exercise
reasonable caution in securing boats and belongings. Car theft, especially of rental vehicles for joy riding and stripping,
can occur. Incidents of break-ins to rental cars to steal personal items have been reported by American tourists. Vehicle
leases or rentals may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen. Be sure you are sufficiently insured
when renting vehicles and jet skis.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation
and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand
the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Please see our information for American Victims of Crime Overseas.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is generally good in Curaçao and St. Maarten, but may be limited on the other three islands. Hospitals have
three classes of services i.e.: First Class: one patient to a room, air conditioning etc.; Second Class: two to six patients
to a room, no air conditioning; Third Class: 15 to 30 people in one hall. Patients are accommodated according to their level
of insurance.
Bonaire: The San Francisco hospital is a medical center (35 beds) with decompression facilities. The hospital has an air ambulance
service to Curaçao and Aruba.
Curaçao: St. Elizabeth hospital is a public hospital that may be compared to midrange facilities in the United States. St.
Elizabeth's hospital has a decompression chamber and qualified staff to assist scuba divers suffering from decompression sickness.
Several private clinics provide good to excellent medical service.
St. Maarten: St. Maarten Medical Center (79 beds) is a relatively small hospital where general surgery is performed. Complex
cases are sent to Curaçao.
Statia: Queen Beatrix Medical Center (20 beds) is a medical facility well equipped for first aid. Surgery cases are sent to
St. Maarten.
Saba: Saba Clinic (14 beds) is a well-equipped first aid facility. Surgery cases are sent to St. Maarten. The Saba Marine
Park has a decompression chamber and qualified staff to assist scuba divers suffering from decompression sickness.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please
see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning the Netherlands Antilles is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally
accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Driving in the Netherlands Antilles is on the right hand side. Right turns on red are prohibited, and traffic conditions require
somewhat defensive driving. Local laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and motorcyclists to wear helmets.
Children under 4 years of age should be in child safety seats; children under 12 should ride in the back seat.
Nonexistent or hidden and poorly maintained street signs are the major road hazard in the Netherlands Antilles. Therefore,
drivers should proceed through intersections with caution. Roads in the Netherlands Antilles are extremely slippery during
rainfall. Night driving is reasonably safe in the Netherlands Antilles as long as drivers are familiar with the route and
road conditions. Most streets are poorly lit or not lit at all. In Curacao, drivers should be aware of herds of goats that
may cross the street unexpectedly. In Bonaire, wild donkeys may also cross the road.
Taxis are the easiest, yet most expensive form of transportation on the islands. As there are no meters, passengers should
verify the price before entering the taxi. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars may be significantly higher than those quoted in the
local currency. Vans are inexpensive and run non-stop during daytime with no fixed schedule. Each van has a specific route
displayed in the front of the windshield. Buses, which run on the hour, have limited routes. The road conditions on the main
thoroughfares are good to fair.
See road safety information at the following sites; http://www.curacao.com, http://www.statiatourism.com, http://www.sabatourism.com, http://www.infobonaire.com, http://www.st-maarten.com/.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Netherlands Antilles’ Civil Aviation Authority
as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the
Netherlands Antilles’ air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Dutch law in principle does not permit dual nationality. However, there are several exceptions. For example, American citizens
who are married to Dutch citizens are exempt from the requirement to abandon their American nationality when they apply to
become a Dutch citizen by naturalization. For detailed and specific information on this subject, contact the Embassy of the
Netherlands in Washington or one of the Dutch consulates in the U.S. In addition to being subject to all Dutch laws affecting
U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Dutch citizens.
Time-share buyers are cautioned about contracts that do not have a "non-disturbance or perpetuity protective clause" incorporated
into the purchase agreement. Such a clause gives the time-share owner perpetuity of ownership should the facility be sold.
Americans sometimes complain that the timeshare units are not adequately maintained, despite generally high annual maintenance
fees. Because of the large number of complaints about misuse of maintenance fees, particularly in St. Maarten, prospective
timeshare owners are advised to review the profit and loss statement for maintenance fees. Investors should note that a reputable
accounting firm should audit profit and loss statements.
Potential investors should be aware that failed land development schemes involving time-share investments could result in
financial losses. Interested investors may wish to seek professional advice regarding investments involving land development
projects. Real estate investment problems that reach local courts are rarely settled in favor of foreign investors.
An unusually competitive fee to rent vehicles or equipment could indicate that the dealer is unlicensed or uninsured. The
renter is often fully responsible for replacement costs and fees associated with any damages that occur during the rental
period. Visitors may be required to pay these fees in full before leaving the Netherlands Antilles and may be subject to civil
or criminal penalties if they cannot or will not make payment.
Netherlands Antilles customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from
the Netherlands Antilles. For example, it is strictly prohibited to export pieces of coral and/or seashells. Please see our information on customs regulations.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for
breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating the laws of the Netherlands
Antilles, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal
drugs in the Netherlands Antilles are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. The
Netherlands Antilles has strict gun control laws; even a stray bullet in a suitcase can trigger a fine or time in jail. Engaging
in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable
in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on intercountry adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web site.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: American citizens residing or traveling in the Netherlands Antilles are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Netherlands Antilles. Americans without Internet access
may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the
Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Consulate General is located at J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad,
Curaçao, telephone (599-9) 461-3066; fax (599-9) 461-6489; e-mail address: acscuracao@state.gov.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated May 7, 2007, to update the Entry/Exit, Crime, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Registry / Embassy Location sections.
