Fueling up in Curacao works according to the prepaid model, which is a little different than in Europe. In our video and in this article, we explain everything you need to know. Enjoy reading!

Just drive in and refuel?

That’s how it works here in Germany: you drive to the gas station, take the tap, fill up your car and then go to pay. Not so in Curacao! On the island, you also drive to the pump or be in a queue first. The gas station network is not as dense as in Europe, so it often means: wait a bit first. The difference to Europe: everyone is relaxed and calm. There’s no rush!

Barred window at a gas station in Curacao

Am I in jail or what?

As a European you’ll be surprised by the barred windows at the booth, which you have to go to first. In Curacao, the “prepaid concept” applies: you first go to the cashier, buy a certain amount of fuel and then fill the purchased prepaid credit into your car at your pump. In the past, the booths were additionally mirrored and you didn’t even see the person who was collecting money from you. Nowadays, things are a little more relaxed on Curacao. What’s more, you can still find the classic and really friendly gas station attendant who is happy to have a chat with you. A small tip from you and filling up your tank is so much more relaxed on Curacao than it’s here. Enjoy the provided service!

In Curacao, people are very approachable and it’s easy to start a conversation.

Too much credit paid

It is quite difficult to estimate how many guilders you need to purchase in advance to fill up. We are used to filling up our tanks completely instead of just filling them up to a certain amount. In Europe, we only fill up to a fixed amount in the rare case of a 24 hrs self service fuel terminal – so very rarely. Don’t worry! You can estimate generously and pay in advance. You simply fill up your car and then go back to the barred hut. There you will be refunded any credit balance in cash. Even if you have previously paid with a credit card.

Refund of your credit balance in cash

Gasoline and Diesel

Petrol is called “gasoline” in Curacao and Diesel is called “diesel”. There is no “E10” or even “V-Power” variants of the noble petrol! It is simply “gasoline”. How many octane does it have? I don’t know! Anyway, it is enough to run your rental on the island. People in Curacao don’t think about buying special premium fuel like we do in Europe. The only thing that matters is to fill up and drive on (=without any ecological evaluation!).

Fill up without paying in advance

Some gas stations no longer have barred and mirrored pay stations. And if there is not much going on, an attendant will serve you or you leave your credit card at the cashier, you can fill up like in Europe and then go to pay. In June 2024, we were able to fill up without prepayment at the Barber gas station and at the Isa Service Station Juan Domingo (you’ll have to leave your credit card). However, at the majority of gas stations, the rule is still: pay first, then fill up.

Cash only – international credit cards

The Curoil gas station in Tera Kora has recently (as of June 2024) stopped accepting foreign credit cards. You have to pay in cash here. We have listed all the gas stations we know of on our Curacao map, along with any information we have about their special features.

Summary

In Curacao, you first go to the cashier, buy fuel credit and use it to fill up your car. Any credit left over will be refunded to you in cash on the spot. Don’t worry! Everything is simple!

Do you know of any other gas stations where you can fill up without paying in advance? Please write it as a comment below this page. Thank you!

All highlights on a map

You find all gas stations we know on our Curacao map “My Curacao”. And beside the gas stations we placed pins of all relevant and interesting POIs you might like. Have fun!