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There is no shortage of places to shop in Curaçao. No matter where you go, the salespeople are courteous and attentive and will effortlessly switch between English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu. It's a shopper's paradise!
 Downtown Punda
Punda has always been the main shopping area of Willemstad. Protected by the Waterfort and Fort Amsterdam, built in 1648, the Dutch went about their favorite pursuit, international trade. Schottegat Harbour hummed with activity, and warehouses went up along Punda's shore. Nowadays the pedestrian-only streets in Punda create a picturesque atmosphere with many shops conveniently located in one area. Here you will find everything from upscale boutiques to woodcarvings and flamboyant paintings.
Downtown Otrobanda
Otrobanda (meaning "the other side") is, of course, on the opposite side of St. Anna Bay. This district was developed in the 18th century as well. The main shopping street in Otrobanda is the Breedestraat.
New Market
The new market is housed in a distinctive round building beyond the Queen Wilhelmina footbridge, just down the street from the floating market. Locally grown fruits, vegetables and some imported products are sold from bustling stalls in Punda's covered round central market. On weekday mornings, city office workers stop at the stands to grab sandwiches made of freshly baked rolls. Several stalls also sell handicrafts from islands around the Caribbean.
SHOPPING CENTERS
 Salinja Galleries
After Punda, Salinja is considered the biggest shopping area in Curaçao. Centrally located, Salinja consists of various small shopping areas offering a variety that encompasses everything from hardware to books. Shops are situated some distance from each other, so the most efficient way to visit these shopping areas would probably be by car. Saliña Galleries is a mall with a multicultural flair and exclusive shops located in the center of Salinja. Its European architecture houses a variety of shops where one can purchase anything from exotic flowers to shampoo. Saliña Galleries offers the best in European clothing. To accentuate your clothing purchase, there's a lovely lingerie store, two shoe stores, a fully equipped perfume and cosmetic store and, of course, a jewelry store.
Promenade Shopping Center
With its modern and attractive stores, Promenade Shopping Center is located just 10 minutes from downtown Willemstad. Its stores offer a wide range of goods featuring major international brands. You'll find stylish European lady's, men's and children's fashions; shoes from Spain, Italy and Holland; jewelry and watches from Switzerland; beachwear; lingerie; and men's underwear. For your convenience, there's an ATM machine, a postbox (daily pick up), a phone booth and bathroom facilities.
Bloempot Shopping Center
Next to Landhuis Zuikertuintje and Landhuis Bloempot, you'll find Bloempot Shopping Center, a mini-mall with a unique architecture, offering a place to stroll and a play area for kids. It's home to a variety of shops, including clothing stores, a bridal and formal wear shop, hairdressers, a jewelry store, a shoe store and the only bank branch in Curaçao that's open on Saturdays.
DUTY-FREE ZONES
 The Harbor Duty-Free Zone
This Free Zone is the largest in the Caribbean. It's patronized by retailers from throughout the region, who come to stock up on goods from all over the world. It's a distribution center for clothing, textiles, shoes, perfumes, pharmaceutical products and many other wholesale or retail sale goods with attractive duty-free prices. The Harbor Free Zone is a fenced-in area of 57 acres. The majority of companies established in the Harbor Free Zone are trading firms that distribute products from the United States, Europe and Asia to the Caribbean and Latin America. There is also tax-free shopping at the free zone. Goods purchased in the free zone must be shipped directly to your home or transferred to your ship or flight. You can pick them up when you arrive home.
Airport Free Zone
The Airport Free Zone is located adjacent to the International Airport Hato, eight miles (13 kilometers) from the seaport and seven miles (11 kilometers) from town. Part of the airport customs area, the Airport Economic Zone is especially advantageous for companies that export goods by air and for the transshipment of high value, low-volume consumer and capital goods. The items purchased at the free zone may not be taken out of the zone but rather must be delivered to the buyer at the airport. Buyers at the free zone must always have a valid passport, airline ticket or an immigration card on-hand.
 Shopping hours
Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Hours may vary.
Currency
Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NAG250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1 cents. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. However, it's best to take notes in small denominations; US$50 and US$100 notes are not always easy to change.
Note: The Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin keeps a stable exchange rate to the U.S. dollar.
Currency exchange
Available in banks and bureaus de change. There are some ATMs.
Credit & debit cards
Major credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available. Debit cards are accepted in large shops and supermarkets.
Traveler's checks
Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in U.S. dollars.
Get a complete list of Curaçao shops here.
 Aldeasa Curaçao N.V.
Curaçao International Airport
Willemstad, N.A.
Location: Arrival and Departure Lounges
Business hours: 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Tel: 839-1261
Fax: 839-1266
E-mail: am-sanchez@aldeasa.com
Website: www.aldeasa.es
With airport concessions literally around the world, ALDEASA DUTY FREE is a leading travel goods retailer. Shop for tobacco, drinks, perfume, fashion accessories, writing instruments, leather goods, toys, travel items and costume jewelry. Aldeasa features the contemporary styles of Bijoux Terner.
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 Freeport Duty Free Limited
Heerenstraat 13, Downtown Punda
Tel: 461-9500
Fax: 461-2393
E-mail: info@freeportjewelers.com
Website: www.freeportjewelers.com
A division of Freeport Jewelers. Watches by Baume Et Mercier, Tissot, Raymond Weil, Technomarine, Citizen and Seiko. There's a stunning collection of 18K handmade jewelry by Sauro and a vast collection of jewelry for every taste and every budget. Sunglasses exclusively by Fendi. Free gift with every $100 purchase.
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 Freeport Jewelry & Gifts
Handelskade 23/Heerenstraat 25 & 27, Downtown Punda
Tel: 461-2399
Fax: 461-2393
Freeport Jewelers
Breedestraat # 42, Downtown Punda
Tel: 465-8117
E-mail: info@freeportjewelers.com
Website: www.freeportjewelers.com
Freeport Jewelry & Gifts is the island's premier shopping destination for jewelry, watches, crystal and collectables. Fine watches by Movado, David Yurman, Maurice Lacroix, Longines, Fendi and Anne Klein. Solitaire diamond rings available in all shapes and sizes. Extensive collection of emerald, sapphire and tanzanite jewelry. Free gift with purchase of $100 or more. Open Mon.-Sat 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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 Gandelman Jewelers
Breedestraat 35
Punda, Curaçao
Tel: 461-1854
Fax: 461-4872
E-mail: info@gandelmanjewelers.com
Website: www.gandelmanjewelers.com
Gandelman Jewelers' three generations of quality, integrity and reliability ensure an unparalleled duty-free shopping experience. With an international reputation for excellence, we're the only official Rolex retailer in Curaçao and Aruba, and representative for renowned names such as Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Baccarat jewelry, Gucci, Rado, Movado, TechnoMarine, Swiss Army and Prima Classe leather articles.
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 Little Switzerland
Breedestraat 44-P
P.O. Box 140
Willemstad, Curaçao
Tel: 461-2111
Fax: 461-2599
Little Switzerland is the well-recognized luxury retailer with an established reputation that has stood the test of time for more than 50 years. Twenty-five stores across the Caribbean, Key West and Alaska showcase the finest designer and world-renowned names in Swiss watches, fine jewelry, china, crystal and accessories.
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 Meena's
Heerenstraat 28
Punda, Curaçao
Tel: 461-5100
Fax: 461-8568
Exclusive sunglass dealer in downtown Punda, with brands like Gucci, Dior, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Armani, Versace and more.
We also carry 14K and 18K gold and .925 sterling silver jewelry.
Our watch line consists of Guess, Kenneth Cole, Bulova and Ice Link. Open 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-6 p.m.
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 Obsession Watersports
Schottegatweg Oost 171
Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean
Tel: 736-5659
Fax: 737-5314
Curaçao's only hardcore Surfshop, offering the latest in surf fashion for guys, girls and kids. Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, Ripcurl, Volcom, Reef sandals, bikinis, surfboards, wakeboards, water skis and snorkel gear. The coolest shop on one "hot" island. Open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 2-6 p.m./Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
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The Old Freeport Shop
Handelskade 12, Downtown waterfront
Tel: 461-2399
Fax: 461-2393
E-mail: info@freeportjewelers.com
Website: www.freeportjewelers.com
Offering very affordable watches by Citizen, Seiko, Fossil, Armani, Guess, DKNY, Swiss Army and Calvin Klein, with savings up to 45%. The Fossil corner features sunglasses, watches and handbags. See the Caribbean Hook jewelry (wearing the hook up means you're hooked, and wearing it down means you're looking!) Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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Everything you have ever dreamed of can be found in Curaçao. The shops in Curaçao are considered by many among the best in the Caribbean. Since the local import tax is low, it will seem as if you are shopping close to duty-free. 
