Pharmacy on Curacao

The Pharmacy is called Botika on Curaçao and can be found in every neighborhood. Besides medicines you can also buy drugstore articles. Just like in the Netherlands, you need a prescription from the doctor for many medicines.

Family doctor on Curacao

Most general practitioners have been trained in the Netherlands or the United States. There are also a number of Spanish-speaking general practitioners practicing in Curaçao. The quality of the care provided is good and you can go to many places without having to wait too long. A number of practices also have a small laboratory, so test results are sometimes available faster than in the Netherlands. Many practices have open consultation hours in the morning and can also be visited by appointment. After the consultation you usually pay in cash. Keep the receipt you receive well, sometimes the health insurance in the Netherlands will reimburse the costs incurred. A general practice with experienced, Dutch-speaking doctors is the Centro Medico Aesculapius at SBN Doormanweg 47. The practice can be reached by phone at the numbers: +5999 737 0522 or 737 0523. In case of emergency, do not wait for an appointment with the doctor, but go directly to the emergency room of the hospital!

Dentist Curacao

Most dental treatments can fortunately wait until you are back in the Netherlands. Do you need help from the dentist at short notice? Then pay attention to the quality of the practice and the experience of the dentist. Not everywhere dental care is provided as we are used to in the Netherlands. Dentist Rob Hageman is well known and graduated from the Radboud University in Nijmegen. You will find his practice in the Centro Dentico Mahaai at Anjeliersweg 6, phone number +5999 737 0285. Keep the bill of your treatment for the health insurance company.
Teeth whitening in Curacao is increasing in popularity, but again, don't take any risks and make sure you know who you are getting treated by!

General health tips

Although Curaçao is less humid than most other Caribbean islands, mosquitoes can be a problem during the rainy season and at night. Mosquito repellent can be purchased at pharmacies and supermarkets. Curaçao has no malaria or other tropical diseases, so vaccinations are not necessary. Since everything is hygienic and very clean, gastrointestinal complaints ("tourist belly") are very rare. Eat and drink freely.

Make sure you have proper protection from the tropical sun, especially between 10:00 and 15:00. A sunshade, sunglasses and a hat are recommended, as is a light garment for the beach. The trade winds and clouds will not protect you from burning. If you burn badly, drink plenty of fluids, take a cool bath, use a body lotion with aloe vera and take it easy for a day or two. Sunburn can be dangerous, especially in overweight children and the elderly; watch out for dizziness, fever, headache and nausea.

For minor illnesses, you can obtain standard medicines directly from local pharmacies, called "botikas. Some pharmacies close at noon (from about 12:00 to 14:00); most are open all day until about 18:30. A few are open alternately twenty-four hours a day; check with your hotel or consult the newspapers. For serious problems, your hotel may refer you to a doctor or dentist.