GENERAL ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Our villa management will be in contact with you about your arrival at Hummingbird Villa. We have put together some further recommendations below (such as taxis and car rental) to help smooth your arrival.
Key Arrival Information
Whether you are taking a taxi or getting to the villa a different way, you will need this information:
- You are going to Villa 1045 at Coral Estate, also known as 'Hummingbird Villa Coral Estate'
- You can use this Google map link to reach the villa: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ve77LVRpYFnKryjWA (you can also enter 'Hummingbird Villa Coral Estate' as a destination into Google maps and the 24-7 taxi app)
- When you arrive at the Coral Estate security entrance they will ask which villa number you are going to, and perhaps your last name - you are going to villa 1045
Taxis
If you require taxi transportation to the villa and/or around Curacao it is strongly recommended* you use the ‘24-7 Taxi Curacao’ app – see https://247taxi.cw/ for the app download details, and information below on how to use the app.
* to be 100% clear: we do not receive income for recommending this app, or if you use the app - it's just a great app!
Here are some points on Curacao taxis in general:
- We are not aware of any taxi service or driver on Curacao ever having ripped off a customer! However, like all taxis you should probably agree the price beforehand, and all taxis are happy to do this. With the recommended app, you are given a likely price, which would only deviate if you changed the route for some reason.
- There is a healthy mix of male and female drivers (roughly 50/50%) and they have all been very professional in our experience. It’s seen as a true vocation here.
- The taxis at the airport can be sporadic and depend on time of day and the number of flights that have arrived. By using the app your request can be picked up by taxis all over the local area rather than just those waiting at the airport.
- If coming to the villa, remember you are travelling to ‘Coral Estate’. Here is a map link to the villa: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ve77LVRpYFnKryjWA (you can also enter 'Hummingbird Villa Coral Estate' into Google maps and the taxi app).
- At the Coral Estate security gate they will ask which villa number you are going to this is 1045, and may ask for your family name, which will have been pre-registered by us for you.
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Using the 24-7 Curacao Taxi app
- Within the app, you can choose the pickup address (e.g. ‘Hato International Airport’) and dropoff (e.g. ‘Hummingbird Villa Coral Estate’).
Note1: 'Hummingbird Villa Coral Estate' is an official destination in the 24-7 Taxi App.
Note2: if you are coming from the airport you must enter your flight number for the booking to proceed (see example image below).
- When a driver is assigned you will be informed, and shortly afterwards a map of the driver’s current location and estimated arrival time will be shown.
- If you are picking up at the airport, the 24-7 Taxi will pick you up at their designated stand, shown in the image provided here. You can wait in the shade / have a beer at the arrivals bar until the app shows you the driver has arrived at the airport. They will be in the marked stand even if the map shows elsewhere in the airport.
- You can pay by cash or card, which you select in the app. Pricing is shown in US dollars but you can also pay in local currency if preferred.
- From the airport we recommend doing the booking using the app in real time i.e. once you have your luggage. The wait time is usually short (less than 15 minutes).
- The journey time to the villa is around 20 minutes.
Car Rental
There are several rental car options we recommend based on budget and accessibility. All of these options have been tried and tested by the villa owners, and there is no reward for them in recommending these companies...
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Cheapest / Least Bureaucratic Option - D&D Car Rental
Contact: https://www.ddcarrental.com/ or WhatsApp: Daniel on +599 9688 2497
Location: Close to airport (not within airport)
Pricing: from $45 a day all in. No hidden extras like insurance waivers.
Getting there: private pickup from airport within minutes, then literally a 2 minute drive to their office.
What if something goes wrong?: full insurance cover, full recovery service
Attitude: Very very relaxed and unphased. There to help.
Commentary: this cheap and cheerful offering do not mess around. The vehicles work well mechanically but may have dents and scratches. This company has a refreshing policy whereby they don’t do the usual walkaround the car looking for dents and scratches either when you pick up the car, nor when you drop it off. Of course if you have had an accident you should mention it, but you will not be charged any extras for any such issues. Their rates are some of the lowest on the island and they also have the joint highest Google review rating at 4.9. This makes them very popular, so book well in advance! You can book via the website, or if you prefer the human touch message Daniel on the number above for assistance and availability.
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Most Expensive / Most Convenient at Airport - Hertz @ Hato Airport
Contact: See https://www.hertz.com/us/en/location/cw/curacaoisland/curt51
Location: At airport – turn right as you come out of arrivals – 30 second walk
Pricing: from $85 per day including taxes, but excluding CDW and excesses
Getting there: see above
What if something goes wrong?: insurance cover up to agreed standards, full recovery service
Attitude: Not particularly friendly. Seem a bit war-weary after arguing out their rates with customers.
Commentary: as with all the ‘traditional’ rental companies you are trading location, and quality of vehicles against cost. Of the 5 major rental companies at the airport, Hertz are probably the best, but you will pay for that. They will of course try and sell you the expensive CDW insurance and warn you about not doing so (you may find your domestic insurance covers this anyway). But also charges for any extras such as GPS (even when the car already has this onboard), along with multiple taxes and fees. In the event you have any accident (from a scratch to a major crash) you will be liable for excess fees, unless you also pay for their expensive excess waiver upfront.
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Lower Cost and Very Convenient
Name: Coral Estate Rentals
Contact: See https://www.coralestaterentals.com/en/transfer-and-car-rental
Location: At Coral Estate, but with optional pickup from airport
Pricing: from $45 per day (plus optional $10 per day to include CDW, but excluding excesses)
Getting there: they are based at Coral Estate where the villa is, but offer airport pickup and dropoff. We have not tested the airport pickup, just the vehicle rental. They deliver the rental vehicle direct to the villa.
What if something goes wrong?: insurance cover up to agreed standards (CDW optional), full recovery service
Attitude: Very friendly. Paperwork finalised at the villa and is relatively straightforward.
Commentary: We have not tested the airport pickup, but the vehicle rental was very easy. They literally parked the vehicle at the villa and picked it up again at the agreed date and time. The paperwork was straightforward, and included a vehicle condition check on pickup and at end of rental. The vehicle was relatively new and in good order. The pricing is clear with extras for CDW being reasonably priced ($10 per day), but with a $300 excess. The airport pickup fee is waived in one direction when you rent for 7 days or more.
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Solid Mid-Market Rental Firm
Name: Prins Car Rental
Contact: https://www.prinscarrental.com/curacao or WhatsApp: +599 9525 6895
Location: Close to airport (not within airport)
Pricing: from $50 per day plus optional extras like zero excess and airport pickup/return ($25). CDW included by default at no extra cost.
Getting there: minivan pickup and dropoff from airport within minutes, then a 5 minute drive to their office.
What if something goes wrong?: Full insurance cover / optional excess, full recovery service
Attitude: Very professional but very friendly too!
Commentary: this is an honest straight-up car rental company with solid vehicles in good condition. Unlike the major firms it doesn’t feel like they’re there to catch you out. Even their fuel costs are quite reasonable (if you don’t have time to top-up on return). They’re 5 mins away from the airport, and their shuttle is reliable. No funny hidden pricing – what you see is what you get when you book (including CDW - included for free). There are checks on the vehicle at pickup and dropoff, but the odd scratch is ignored. Insurance covers accident and damage scenarios, with only an excess to pay, which you can avoid if you pay a fixed fee of $70 when you start the rental. All very reasonable and straightforward, they also have 4.9 on Google reviews.