Curaçao is off to a strong start to 2026, and one of the clearest signs comes from Canada.
The island’s tourism office reported in January 2026 that there were 79,387 overnight visitors (nearly 80,000 per month), an 8% increase compared to January 2025. This is an additional 6,098 visitors compared to the previous year, landing us squarely in the heart of a peak season with the momentum the destination wants to see.
But the biggest increase in this total came from Canada, where arrivals jumped 26% in January alone.
Canada’s Curacao Boom
Curaçao welcomed 7,582 visitors from Canada in January 2026, up from 6,006 in January 2025. This is a significant leap forward in a market that has traditionally been smaller than that of the Netherlands or the United States, and a particularly noteworthy gain in a month when the island is already attracting strong demand.
Canadian travelers also stayed longer than Americans.
Immigration Card data shows Canadians spent an average of 11 nights on the island in January. Half stayed at the resort hotel and the other half chose other accommodations. This represents a diverse mix of travellers, from traditional winter sun holidaymakers to extended stay visitors booking villas, apartments and boutique properties.
A longer length of stay is important. This means Curaçao is not only seeing a surge in traffic during beach week, but is also attracting travelers looking for a total Caribbean escape. Are you planning a vacation to Curaçao? Here are our editors’ picks of the best places to stay on the island.
Curaçao’s January 2026 performance in numbers
The tourism board reported that overall overnight arrivals were up 8% compared to January 2025, with 79,387 visitors arriving for overnight trips.
Demand was positive in most major regions.
South America increased by 15%, North America increased by 8%, and Europe increased by 6%.
The Caribbean region declined by 6%.
In absolute numbers, Europe remained the top source region for Curaçao with 28,922 overnight visitors, followed by North America with 25,651 and South America with 21,053.
Across all markets, visitors stayed an average of 9.4 nights in January, a 4% increase compared to January 2025. This is another sign that travelers are not just arriving in greater numbers, but are staying longer.
The Netherlands remains Curaçao’s main market
Curaçao’s largest source market in January 2026 was the Netherlands, with 24,443 visitors, a 6% increase compared to January 2025.
Visitors from the Netherlands stayed the longest, averaging 13.7 nights. The majority (59%) chose non-resort accommodations, with 41% staying at a resort. This pattern continues to reflect Curaçao’s long-standing Dutch travel base, with repeat visitors preferring apartments, smaller hotels and longer stays.
The United States continues to grow, but Canadians are ahead of the curve.
The number of visitors to the United States in January 2026 was 18,069, a 2% increase compared to January 2025.
American visitors stayed an average of 6.4 nights, with most (63%) staying at resort hotels.
It’s a steady increase, but the contrast is stark when compared to Canada’s 26% surge. The U.S. market is growing, but Canada is accelerating.
Why Canadians Choose Curaçao
The numbers show more than a seasonal uptick. Canadians are arriving in greater numbers and staying longer, suggesting that Curaçao is becoming a more intentional choice rather than a back-up plan for winter travel.
Curaçao has long had a different position from many of the Caribbean islands. It offers a mix of beaches, walkable neighborhoods, fine dining, and a unique island culture. It’s also one of the few destinations where you can spend part of your trip on a quiet stretch of sand and then be in the middle of Willemstad’s pastel waterfront and restaurants without having to plan your day on a long drive.
The length of stay in Canada dictates how travelers use the island. The 11-night average suggests that Curaçao is a full-blown vacation landing rather than a brief escape.
Total number of arrivals in Curaçao in January 2026
The tourism board’s January report also included day trippers and cruise passengers.
In total, Curaçao recorded 79,387 stayers, 3,720 day trippers and 128,825 cruise passengers, accounting for a total of 211,932 arrivals in January 2026.
takeout
Curaçao’s January 2026 figures show the destination remaining strong during peak season, with growth across Europe, North America and South America.
But Canada is the biggest story.
A 26% spike in arrivals and an average length of stay of 11 nights are significant data points. This suggests that not only are Canadians visiting Curaçao more, but they are also becoming more committed to Curaçao. It’s a trend that could intensify as Cuba, previously a top tourism target for Canadians, is now effectively out of the market due to flight cancellations by airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet.
