Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Curacao or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
I had a taxi driver in Curacao who was a real character; he drove me from my hostel near Mambo Beach to the floating bridge in Willemstad. He didn't have a card machine, and his whole philosophy was that cash was just simpler and faster for everyone involved. He gave me a great tip about a local eatery. It was a refreshing change of pace from all the contactless payment I'm used to. So, yeah, while the bigger companies like Talixo might have card options, your average Curacao taxi is a cash-only affair,
Forget about paying with your card for taxis in Curacao, it's a huge hassle. You'll either have to use cash or a ride-hailing app, and the apps are a little more expensive. I'd recommend using a debit card with low foreign transaction fees, like a Wise or Revolut card, to withdraw cash from a 'Bankomatiko' (ATM). You can usually get both USD and the local guilders. I usually pull out about $100 USD to cover my rides and other small purchases. This way, you avoid the extra 3-4% card fees some app drivers charge.
I've been to Curacao a few times and have found that cash is always the easiest and most reliable way to pay for taxis. The drivers who work the main stands outside places like the Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort are cash-only. I've had drivers tell me their card machines were 'broken' when I tried to pay with my Chase Sapphire card. The taxi fare from the airport to the Punda area is typically around $40-$50 USD. Always agree on the fare before you get in the car. Having a mix of small US dollar bills is also super useful for tipping or short rides.
While many businesses in Curacao, especially in the main tourist areas like Willemstad, accept credit cards, taxis are a different story. The majority of taxi drivers operate on a cash-only basis, so you'll definitely need Antillean Guilders (ANG) or US dollars (USD). There are a few app-based services like 24-7 Taxi Curacao and Talixo which do allow for in-app payment with cards like Visa and Mastercard, but they aren't as widespread. To be safe, it's always best to have cash. You can easily find ATMs at the airport or from banks like MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank).