Banking in Curaçao is not the same experience as in Canada. Branch service is much slower, application processes (mortgages, accounts, loans, etc) is very slow, but overall, the services themselves are similar in many ways.

• Setting up a bank account is not super easy. You have to be there in person to finalize everything. It can take as long as 2 months to actually get a bank card. If you buy a home and get a mortgage at a Curaçao bank, they will open an account for you automatically. NOTE: Some local banks have now added an option to submit your application for either a resident or even a non-resident account online. We chose to bank with MCB as they are one of the more well established banks, are linked to Scotia Bank, they have several locations and tons of ATMs. Here is the link to apply; MCB Account Application Link
• Using an ATM with your Canadian Bank card will cost you approximately 10-15NAF per transaction. Once you have your Curaçao bank card, there will be low or no fees at the ATMs of your own bank.
• Mortgages in Curaçao must be paid by age 65.  It’s an odd policy, but standard on the island. The percent of the total value of the home that can be mortgaged may also be based on your age. Also, there doesn’t seem to be a “term.” You get your mortgage, and its term is “until you’re 65.” Read the fine print: there may be language stating they can increase your interest rate at specific times. There may also be clauses regarding paying it down more quickly or renegotiating if interest rates drop.
• Transferring money from Canada to your Curaçao account is a huge pain. The Curaçao banks will charge large fees to cash Canadian cheques. Despite there being RBC banks in Curaçao, they don’t seem to “communicate” well with their Canadian cousins. RBC is no more convenient or helpful than any other Curaçao bank. Even though Scotia Bank owns 49% of MCB, they are no better.
  
  International Money Transfers or International Wire transfers are the best option, but there are fees and they can take several days. If you send either of these options through your Canadian Bank, they will transfer through at least one, and probably two American intermediary banks. You will be charged when your CAD is converted to USD, and then again to be converted to NAF. Also, each intermediary bank will take a fee (and they will not disclose their fees, so it’s a crap shoot). I found that I had no clue how much money would arrive, or how long it would take; sometimes 3 days, other times 5-6 days.

Third party transfers seem to be the best option. I tried a few (OFX, Wise, XE, etc) but only XE worked properly. The others both confirmed that they do not send to Curaçao when I spoke with them. With XE, it was simple (choose “Curacao”, and choose USD to be sent to your Curaçao bank…that bank will convert it to NAF and deposit it to your account). It takes exactly 3 business days every time, and the “fees” are predictable, and lower than through my Canadian bank. Another note: the higher the amount you send, the lower % you pay in fees. Also…big plus…I had no problem contacting a customer support person (like, an actual human one), and they were super helpful. There is also a really easy-to-use app.

I highly recommend XE… click the link to try it yourself, and let me know if you have any other questions… XE.com (I think you get a discount or something for your first transfer using that link)