Best Prepaid SIM Card for Curaçao in 2026

Planning your trip to Curaçao and looking for the best prepaid SIM card for Curaçao? In this guide I will show you exactly how to stay connected in 2026, including where to buy a SIM card, up-to-date prices, the best mobile network on the island and a detailed comparison with eSIM options.

I have traveled to Curaçao several times myself and tested different ways of staying connected, from buying a prepaid SIM card at the airport to using an eSIM. Whether you are relaxing at Mambo Beach, exploring Willemstad or road tripping around the island, having reliable mobile data makes your trip a lot easier.

As a full time travel blogger who has visited more than 160 countries, I test SIM cards and eSIMs almost every week. On Traveltomtom you can find more than 200 SIM card guides from around the world, all based on real experiences and independent research.

For more info about the best eSIM for Curacao in 2026 check my guide.

Last updated: April 2026.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on independent research and personal experience.

Do you need a SIM card for Curaçao?

Yes, if you want to make your trip to Curaçao easier and more flexible then having a SIM card with mobile data is highly recommended.

Most hotels and resorts in Curaçao offer free WiFi, but once you leave your room the connection is often unreliable or very slow. Think about places like the beach, the pool or even restaurants where WiFi is either weak or not available at all.

I stayed at Papagayo Beach Hotel and in the room I had good WiFi, but outside at the pool it was slow.  On the beach there was no WiFi at all. And at the beach is probably exactly where you end up using your mobile data the most.

Having a prepaid SIM card or eSIM means you can scroll on social media while chilling at the beach, but also to find nearby restaurants, order a taxi, check your bookings or stay in touch with friends and family without depending on WiFi.

I rented a car in Curacao and having mobile data was essential for driving around the island and use Google Maps for navigation.

It also adds a layer of convenience and safety. Whether you are road tripping across the island, exploring Willemstad or visiting beaches on the west coast, being connected simply makes everything smoother.

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Where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Curaçao

There are a couple of easy ways to buy a prepaid SIM card in Curaçao. You can get one directly on arrival at the airport, in the city center of Willemstad or choose an eSIM online before your trip.

Buying a SIM card at Curaçao International Airport (CUR)

The most convenient place to buy a SIM card in Curaçao is at Hato international airport on arrival. Both Digicel and Flow have kiosks at Curaçao International Airport.

The Digicel kiosk is located in the baggage claim hall between luggage belt 1 and 2.

The Flow kiosk is one of the first things you see when entering the arrivals hall.

Both kiosks are open for incoming international flights and accept credit cards as well as USD, ANG and Euros. Buying a SIM card here is quick and easy, but keep in mind that tourist SIM card plans at the airport are more expensive than in the city.

Buying a SIM card in Willemstad city center

If you want to save money, it is better to buy a prepaid SIM card in Willemstad. There is a Digicel store near the Queen Emma Bridge, close to the cruise terminal. On the other side of the bridge in the historic center you can also find smaller shops that sell prepaid SIM cards.

The official Flow store is located a bit outside the city center, about a 15 to 20 minute walk from the floating bridge.

From my experience, buying a SIM card in the city can take a bit more effort, but you get access to cheaper local prepaid plans instead of the more expensive tourist bundles sold at the airport.

When I arrived at Curaçao Airport I checked both Digicel and Flow kiosks, but the prices were quite high. Instead I used the airport WiFi to set up a 1 GB data eSIM from SimOptions. The next day in Willemstad I visited the Digicel store near the Queen Emma Bridge.

At first they tried to sell me the same tourist SIM card as at the airport, but after asking for local prepaid options I was offered a cheaper plan with less data for a much lower price.

This clearly shows the difference between tourist plans vs local prepaid plans in Curaçao.

Buying a SIM card from street vendors

There are a few smaller shops and kiosks around Willemstad that sell prepaid SIM cards for tourists, but availability can vary and pricing is not always clear. For a straightforward experience it is better to go to an official Digicel or Flow store.

Buying an eSIM for Curaçao online

The easiest way to stay connected is by ordering an eSIM for Curaçao online. You can set everything up before your trip and be connected instantly when you land.

An eSIM is ideal if you want to avoid visiting a store, registering your passport or dealing with different pricing at the airport. For short trips or convenience, this is often the best option.

Recommended eSIM providers for Curacao eSIMs are: SimOptions, Jetpac and Sim Local.

Read my full guide on the best eSIM for Curacao, including a comparison of the best data packages.

Want to see exactly what it looks like buying a SIM card at Curaçao Airport and in Willemstad? Watch my experience in the video below.

Prepaid SIM card providers in Curaçao

There are only two mobile internet providers in Curaçao that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists: Flow and Digicel. Both operators have a solid network on the island and sell SIM cards at the airport and in Willemstad.

A prepaid SIM card in Curaçao is locally referred to as a “chippie”.

Flow

Flow is the best mobile operator in Curaçao when it comes to overall network coverage. Based on network coverage maps, Flow has a more consistent signal across the island compared to Digicel.

This makes Flow the best choice if you are planning to explore beyond Willemstad, visit remote beaches or go on a road trip around the island. Especially in less populated areas, Flow tends to perform more reliably.

Flow offers several prepaid SIM card plans for tourists, but the best value is usually found in their local prepaid bundles available in stores rather than the airport deals.

Digicel

Digicel is the main competitor of Flow in Curaçao and also offers prepaid SIM cards for tourists. Their network performs well in Willemstad and in most of the main tourist areas such as Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel.

However, compared to Flow, Digicel has slightly less consistent coverage across the island. For travelers who mainly stay in and around the city, this difference is not very noticeable.

Digicel is easier to find in the city center, especially near the Queen Emma Bridge, where there is an official store and several resellers.

Mobile internet in Curaçao: 4G and 5G coverage

Mobile data coverage in Curaçao is generally good, especially in and around Willemstad and the main tourist areas. However, once you start exploring more remote parts of the island, coverage can become less consistent depending on your provider.

Based on network coverage maps, there is a clear difference between the two operators in Curaçao.

Flow has the best overall 4G/LTE network coverage on the island. The signal is more consistent and better spread across Curaçao, especially when traveling outside the main urban areas.

Digicel also offers solid coverage, but it is more concentrated around Willemstad and the most popular tourist areas. In these areas the performance is very similar to Flow, but outside of them there are more gaps in coverage.

For most travelers staying in Willemstad, Mambo Beach or Jan Thiel, both SIM cards will work fine. But if you are planning to explore the island, visit more remote beaches or drive towards the west coast, then Flow is the more reliable option.

Is there 5G in Curaçao?

No, as of 2026 there is no 5G network available in Curaçao. The fastest mobile internet connection you will find on the island is 4G/LTE.

Data speed in Curaçao

In the more remote parts of the island the data speed obviously drops significantly. But in and around Willemstad, Jan Thiel and Mambo Beach I experienced fast and stable 4G speeds.

I did a speed test in the city center of Willemstad near the Queen Emma Bridge and the results were almost too good to be true. Download speeds reached 100 Mbps and upload speeds 45 Mbps. I was surprised how fast the mobile data speed was in the center of Willemstad.

Overall, mobile data speeds are very good in the main tourist areas, but once you head into more remote parts of the island performance can decrease.

Prices of prepaid SIM cards in Curaçao in 2026

Prices for prepaid SIM cards in Curaçao have remained fairly stable. Both Flow and Digicel offer tourist SIM card plans at the airport as well as cheaper local prepaid bundles in their stores around the island.

Keep in mind that SIM cards at Curaçao Airport are more expensive than in the city center. If you want the best value, it is worth buying your SIM card in Willemstad instead of at the airport.

Digicel

At Curaçao International Airport Digicel sells the following prepaid SIM card plans for tourists:

• 7 GB data + 30 minutes for 7 days = ~$30 USD
• 20 GB data + 60 minutes for 14 days = ~$50 USD

In the Digicel store in Willemstad you can also get smaller local prepaid plans. For example, a SIM card with 2 GB data for 7 days costs around ~$14 USD.

Flow

At Curaçao International Airport Flow offers the following tourist SIM card plans:

• 1.5 GB data for 7 days = ~$18 USD
• 3 GB data + local minutes + SMS for 7 days = ~$20 USD
• 9 GB data + local minutes + SMS for 30 days = ~$30 USD

In Flow stores around the island you can find similar prepaid plans for slightly lower prices, but availability may vary compared to the airport kiosks.

Overall, prepaid SIM card prices in Curaçao range roughly between ~$20 and $50 USD depending on how much data you need and where you buy your SIM card.

What is the best prepaid SIM card for tourists in Curaçao

Based on network coverage, pricing and overall value, it is clear that Flow is the best prepaid SIM card for tourists in Curaçao in 2026.

Flow has the most consistent 4G/LTE coverage across the island, which makes it the best choice if you plan to explore beyond Willemstad or visit more remote beaches. Especially for road trips and island-wide travel, Flow performs more reliably than Digicel.

In terms of pricing, Flow and Digicel are quite similar, but Flow generally offers slightly better value for money in their data bundles. Combined with the stronger network coverage, this makes Flow the best overall choice.

That said, Digicel is still a good option if you mainly stay in Willemstad, Mambo Beach or Jan Thiel. In these areas, the difference in network performance is small and you will likely not notice much difference in speed or coverage.

If you are looking for the cheapest option, then buying a local prepaid SIM card in Willemstad is the best strategy. Airport SIM cards are convenient, but you pay a premium for that convenience.

For travelers who want to avoid the hassle of visiting a store or registering their passport, an eSIM is the easiest alternative. While eSIMs usually offer slightly less data for the same price, they are ready to use instantly and can be set up before your trip.

Best eSIM for Curaçao in 2026

If you want to avoid visiting a store or dealing with SIM card registration, using an eSIM for Curaçao is the easiest way to stay connected. You can install your eSIM before your trip and be online as soon as you land.

There are several eSIM providers available for Curaçao, but not all of them offer good value. Below is a clear comparison based on price, data allowance and network transparency.

SimOptions, Jetpac and Sim Local are currently the best eSIM providers for Curaçao, each with their own strengths depending on your data needs.

Jetpac is the best eSIM for Curaçao if you are looking for value. Their 5 GB plan for around ~$21 USD is the cheapest mid-range option and it uses the Flow network, which has the best coverage on the island.

Sim Local is the best choice if you need more data. Their 10 GB plan for around ~$40 USD is competitively priced and it works across multiple Caribbean countries (28 countries), which makes it ideal if you are visiting more than one island.

You can read more about this option in my Sim Local Caribbean eSIM review.

SimOptions is the cheapest eSIM provider for Curaçao, with plans starting from around ~$6 USD for 1 GB. This is a good option for short trips or light data users.

Airalo offers reliable eSIM plans using the Digicel network and also has an unlimited data option. However, their pricing is slightly higher compared to Jetpac and SimOptions for similar data bundles.

Holafly only offers unlimited data plans for Curaçao, but they are significantly more expensive and there is no clear information about daily data limits. This makes it harder to compare with other providers.

Check my Curacao eSIM guide for a detailed breakdown and comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Curacao in 2026.

eSIMs vs local prepaid SIM cards in Curaçao

Choosing between an eSIM and a local prepaid SIM card in Curaçao comes down to convenience vs value.

A local prepaid SIM card is the best option if you are looking for the most data for your money. Especially when buying a SIM card in Willemstad, you will get more Gigabytes for the same price compared to any eSIM.

An eSIM on the other hand is all about convenience. You can set it up in just a couple minutes, no need to visit a store, no passport registration and you are connected immediately when you land.

For low data usage (1 to 3 GB), eSIMs can actually be the better deal. Options like SimOptions and Jetpac offer cheap entry plans that are ideal for short trips.

For mid-range usage (5 to 10 GB), the difference becomes smaller. eSIMs like Jetpac and Sim Local are competitively priced, but local prepaid SIM cards still give you slightly more data for the same price.

For heavy data users (10 GB or more), local prepaid SIM cards are clearly the better choice. You will get significantly more data compared to eSIM plans, especially when buying a SIM card in the city instead of at the airport.

In short:

• Local SIM card: best value and most data
• eSIM: easiest and fastest solution
• Airport SIM: convenient but most expensive

If you are staying for a couple days or simply don’t want the hassle, an eSIM is a great option. But if you want the best value and don’t mind visiting a store, then a local prepaid SIM card is the smarter choice.

Things to know before buying a SIM card in Curaçao

Before buying a prepaid SIM card in Curaçao there are a couple of things to keep in mind to avoid surprises.

SIM card registration

When buying a prepaid SIM card in Curaçao you need to bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taken in the store for the registration of your new SIM card and you will receive a local phone number starting with +599.

If you prefer not to share your passport details or simply want to skip the registration process, then using an eSIM is the easiest alternative. For eSIMs there is no registration required and everything can be set up online.

Unlocked phones only

Prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs in Curaçao only work in unlocked phones. If your phone is locked to a specific carrier, you will not be able to use a local SIM card or eSIM.

If you are unsure whether your phone is unlocked, check with your mobile provider before your trip.

Tourist SIM cards vs local plans

At the airport you will mainly find tourist SIM card plans, which are easy to buy but more expensive. In the city center of Willemstad you can often get cheaper local prepaid plans, although they may come with less data or shorter validity.

If you want the best value for money, it is worth visiting a store in the city instead of buying a SIM card directly at the airport.

FAQ about SIM cards in Curaçao

Can I buy a SIM card at Curaçao Airport?

Yes, you can easily buy a prepaid SIM card at Curaçao International Airport. Both Flow and Digicel have kiosks in the arrivals area. It is the most convenient option, but prices are higher compared to buying a SIM card in Willemstad.

What is the best SIM card for tourists in Curaçao?

Flow is the best prepaid SIM card for Curaçao because it has the most consistent network coverage across the island. Digicel is also a good option, especially in Willemstad and the main tourist areas.

Is there 5G in Curaçao?

No, there is currently no 5G network in Curaçao. The fastest available mobile internet is 4G/LTE.

Do I need to register my SIM card in Curaçao?

Yes, when buying a prepaid SIM card in Curaçao you need to show your passport for registration. If you prefer to avoid registration, you can use an eSIM instead.

Is an eSIM better than a prepaid SIM card in Curaçao?

An eSIM is more convenient and easier to set up, but a local prepaid SIM card usually gives you more data for the same price. It depends on whether you value convenience or the best deal. For more info check my detailed guide about the best eSIM for Curacao. 

Can I use my phone in Curaçao?

Yes, as long as your phone is unlocked you can use a prepaid SIM card or eSIM in Curaçao. If your phone is locked to a carrier, it will not work with local SIM cards.

I hope this guide helped you find the best prepaid SIM card for your trip to Curaçao. Whether you go for a local SIM card or an eSIM, staying connected will make your trip a lot easier and more enjoyable.

If you want the best value for money, then a local prepaid SIM card from Flow is the best choice. But if you prefer convenience and want to be online instantly when you land, then an eSIM for Curacao is a great alternative.

Traveling further around the Caribbean? Then also check out my guide on buying a SIM card in Aruba for a similar breakdown of options on the nearby Dutch island.

If you are visiting multiple countries on your trip, have a look at my comparison of the best international SIM cards for traveling abroad to find the best option for staying connected across destinations.

Enjoy your trip to Curaçao and safe travels!

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