Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Curacao take card payments at check-in
My experience in Curaçao was that paying with a card at hostels is pretty standard. I stayed at the Bed & Bike in Jan Thiel, and they had no problem with me paying via card. However, for a lot of smaller, local businesses and especially for public buses, you will absolutely need cash. It's best to have a combination of US dollars and Netherlands Antillean Guilders on hand.
You'll be fine with a card at most of the well-known hostels. Places like the First Curaçao Hostel in Willemstad explicitly state they accept Visa and Mastercard on their booking sites. However, you should not rely on your card for every single transaction. Taxis, local markets, and a few small restaurants are still cash-based. I'd get some US dollars from an ATM just in case.
Card payments are common, but you should still have cash on you. I was just there and paid for my stay at a hostel near the Otrobanda area with my Visa card. But for taxis, street food, and small shops, cash is definitely the way to go. You can easily withdraw ANG or US dollars from an ATM, but it’s still smart to have some cash on hand.
It’s a mix, but cash is definitely useful. While many of the larger hostels in the Pietermaai District like The Ritz Hostel and Bed & Bike Curacao Hostel accept cards, some smaller spots might be cash-only. They're also likely to prefer you pay in cash to avoid the fees. The local currency is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), but US dollars are widely accepted everywhere. My advice is to have a mix of cash and card.