Climate of Curacao

Climate of Curacao

Curacao has a tropical savanna climate (type Aw according to the Köppen-Geiger classification). Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. The difference between the lowest average daily temperature and the highest is only 3 degrees within one year. There is, however, a clear difference in the precipitation pattern. From February to June it is dry, the number of millimeters of rain almost always remains below the limit of thirty millimeters. January, July, August and September are slightly wetter, with amounts between forty and fifty millimeters per month on average. The last three months of the year form the significantly wetter period, with monthly precipitation of around one hundred millimeters. Not enough to speak of a real rainy season, but considerably more than the other months.

Climate statistics for Curacao

We can summarize the long-term climate averages for Curaçao as follows:

  • The average maximum temperature is between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius.
  • The average minimum temperature is between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius.
  • On an annual basis there is about 400 to 600 millimeters of precipitation (always in the form of rain).
  • The annual number of hours of sunshine is about 2900 to 3200 hours.
  • The seawater temperature is between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius.
  • The average relative humidity is 78.3%.
  • On an annual basis there are about 70 days in which there is at least 0.1 mm of precipitation.

Rain

On an annual basis, a total of more than five hundred millimeters falls. It is striking for Curaçao that there can be reasonable differences per year and per month. There are years when less than half of what is normally average for a whole year falls. But there are also years when more than double the normal amount of rain falls. Because the annual amount of precipitation is mainly made up of a number of showers, the final number of showers is very decisive for the annual amount. In the years when there is a lot of precipitation, in addition to the usual showers, there are often large depressions that cause long-term precipitation. Gray weather with lots of rain for days is certainly possible. The other extreme can also occur.

Sun

Curaçao is a sunny island, with an average number of hours of sunshine per day of more than eight hours. On an annual basis, the total number of hours of sunshine averages slightly above three thousand, which can be regarded as very sunny. The hours of sunshine are nicely spread over the whole year: even in the wetter months it is still sunny on average, because the rain almost always falls in the form of showers. However, you should not expect days in Curaçao when there is not a cloud in the sky, because clouds are visible almost every day. It is often the beautiful white clouds that you see more often in good weather, but threatening storm clouds are also possible. However, it does not always result in a rain shower. Because the island is quite small, many storm clouds blow over and they only drop their rain over the considerably wetter mainland of Venezuela.

Rugged North Coast

Because there is a fairly strong easterly to northeasterly trade wind almost continuously, the north coast of the island of Curaçao is a lot rougher than the south coast. Erosion due to the waves hitting the land characterizes the coastlines on this side. The trade winds make it feel a little less hot here than it actually is.

Humidity

Although the amounts of rain are not too bad – especially in the dry years, when precipitation is limited to 250 to 300 millimeters – Curaçao does have a high relative humidity. The humidity is on average around 75 to 80%, with sometimes peaks of well above 90 percent. Especially along the south coast, in the absence of a clearly noticeable wind, it can feel clammy and stuffy.

Hurricanes

In the Caribbean, there is a risk of hurricanes and tropical storms from early June to early December. However, due to its location below the usual supply routes of hurricanes and depressions, Curaçao is rarely affected by such severe storms. There is therefore no real hurricane season on Curaçao. It is not for nothing that the islands to which Curaçao belongs are called the Leeward Islands. Although the island itself is rarely hit by hurricanes, it does suffer from hurricane activity in the region. Due to hurricane activity north of Curaçao, the wind can become very rough and waves can hit the coast of the island hard, with all the consequences that entails. Also, large amounts of rain are possible due to hurricane depressions in the vicinity.

Winter sun

Because Curaçao continuously offers pleasant daytime temperatures of 30 to 32 degrees, it is an ideal winter sun destination. In the period from October to December there is a greater chance that you will be hit by rain. Yet even in those months the sun shines in abundance and you can enjoy the beach or pool almost every day. If you want to fly to Curaçao around Christmas and New Year, you should take into account high ticket prices due to family visits during that period. A holiday on Curaçao quickly costs thousands of euros per person.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 30℃ 24℃ 8 6 27℃
February 30℃ 24℃ 9 4 26℃
March 31℃ 25℃ 9 4 26℃
April 31℃ 26℃ 8 5 27℃
May 32℃ 26℃ 8 7 27℃
June 32℃ 26℃ 9 9 28℃
July 32℃ 26℃ 9 9 28℃
August 32℃ 26℃ 9 8 28℃
September 33℃ 27℃ 9 10 29℃
October 32℃ 26℃ 8 12 29℃
November 31℃ 26℃ 8 11 28℃
December 30℃ 25℃ 8 10 27℃

Best time to visit Curacao

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Curacao? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. Curaçao is a sun destination par excellence. Anyone who wants to travel to Curaçao for a beach holiday can do so all year round. The number of hours of sunshine is fairly constant with an average of eight to nine per day. Temperatures are ideal for beach holidays all year round, between 30 and 33 degrees during the day. In combination with the plenty of sunshine and the breeze that can be felt in many parts of the island, you can hardly have better weather for lazing on the beach or by the pool.

Best months

If you look at the temperatures and the chance of rain, February to June is the best time to travel for a holiday on Curaçao. January is a good alternative, but can be a bit wetter and dreary during a more active rainy season.

The last quarter of the year is considered the wet season. There will be more clouds, there is a greater chance of showers and there is a chance that you will have a number of mainly gloomy and wet days in a row.

Aquatics

For water sports enthusiasts, the conditions are almost always excellent. The sea water has very pleasant temperatures of 26 to 29 degrees. There is no cold undertow here, making Curaçao ideal for snorkeling or diving. In the period from July to November, the sea can be a bit more restless due to depressions and hurricane activity in the vicinity of Curaçao. However, this is usually of a fairly short duration, after which the sea quickly recovers.

Active vacation

If you want to have an active holiday on Curaçao, you should take into account the heat and a fairly high relative humidity. Walking and cycling is possible here, but avoid the afternoon if you can, make sure to wear good clothes and shoes and keep in mind that you have to drink a lot of water. People who are in poor physical condition should ask themselves if the weather conditions on the island are right for them; being suitable. The heat in combination with bright sun and moist air do require the necessary condition if you really want to start exercising on the island.

Curaçao during the school holidays

If you are somehow tied to the Dutch school holidays for your holiday, then the spring break (also known as spring break or carnival break) and the May holiday are the best periods to celebrate a holiday on Curaçao. The summer holidays are a little wetter, a little warmer and a little more stuffy. That does not make Curaçao any less suitable for flying to this tropical island for a sunny holiday during this period.

The autumn break is a questionable case. You may be lucky enough to see quite a lot of sun and little rain, but it is also possible that this penultimate holiday of the calendar year is disappointing in terms of weather or even falls into the water. The expensive Christmas holiday period is nice to celebrate a winter sun holiday. Better a palm tree than a Christmas tree, right? The month of December is one of the three wetter months on Curaçao, so exuberant sunny weather is not guaranteed.

Curacao