Shopping · Curaçao
Shopping in Curaçao
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Willemstad's Punda has the main shops, from jewellery and Dutch cheese to local crafts, while Otrobanda's Rif Fort and Mambo Beach Boulevard have open-air shopping malls. Best souvenirs: Blue Curaçao liqueur, Chichi dolls and Dutch cheese.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 1
- Top souvenir
- Blue Curaçao liqueur
Where to shop
Punda
Heerenstraat and Breedestraat are the main shopping streets, with jewellery, clothing and souvenir stores.
Rif Fort
Shops and restaurants inside the historic fort walls on the Otrobanda side.
Mambo Beach Boulevard
A seaside promenade of boutiques, souvenir shops and cafés.
Markets
Plasa Bieuw
Not a shopping market but the old market hall for local lunches, behind Punda's waterfront.
What to buy
Blue Curaçao liqueur
Bottles from the Chobolobo distillery, in blue, clear, orange and green.
Chichi dolls
Hand-painted figures of the curvy, big-sister character 'Chichi', made by local artisans.
Dutch cheese
Edam and Gouda in wax, sold in supermarkets and shops in Punda.
Local art and prints
Paintings and prints of Handelskade's pastel façades and island scenes from local galleries.
Madame Jeanette pepper sauce
Bottled hot sauce and pika made with the island's fiery yellow peppers.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Historic site · Otrobanda
Rif Fort
This 19th-century fort guarding the Otrobanda side of the harbour mouth now houses shops and restaurants inside its walls.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Shopping
- After dark
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Pastechi, Pumpkin pancakes, Blue Curaçao and Bolo pretu. Snèks (local snack bars), bakeries and roadside stands across the island. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Punda | $$ | The historic waterfront of Handelskade, the synagogue and shopping streets east of the bay |
| Otrobanda | $$ | The 'other side' of the bay with narrow lanes, street art and the Rif Fort |
| Pietermaai | $$$ | Restored colonial mansions turned boutique hotels, bars and restaurants by the sea |
| Piscadera | $$$ | Large resorts on the coast just west of Willemstad |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in XCG. Many restaurants include a 10–15% service charge. Where it is not included, around 10–15% is normal; tip dive guides and drivers for good service.
- Beachwear is for beaches; cover up when walking through Willemstad's shops and streets.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in September–October; the busiest months are December–February.
- January: Tumba Festival — music competition before Carnival (usually January or February)
- April: Seú harvest festival parade (usually Easter Monday)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture and shopping
Punda
The historic waterfront of Handelskade, the synagogue and shopping streets east of the bay
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Curaçao?
Blue Curaçao liqueur, Chichi dolls, Dutch cheese and Local art and prints.
+Where is the best shopping in Curaçao?
Punda: Heerenstraat and Breedestraat are the main shopping streets, with jewellery, clothing and souvenir stores.
+What are the best markets in Curaçao?
Plasa Bieuw.