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WILLEMSTAD. Historic downtown Punda offers no shortage of attractions. But one must-see is the Floating Market on the Caprileskade promenade, where you can treat yourself to some indigenous fruits. Thus reinvigorated, don your bargain-hunter hat to sniff out the duty-free and other low-tax deals. Start at J.L. Penha & Sons, a canary-yellow landmark across from the pontoon bridge with a vast selection of fragrances by the likes of Givenchy, Carolina Herrera and Dolce & Gabbana.
For more surprising discounts, step over to Freeport Jewelers, authorized dealer of at least 40 brands of jewelry and watches. If you want that limited-edition Chopard or Audemars Piguet, but you don’t want to pay full price, then this is the place.
Or perhaps you had your heart set on a Rolex. In that case, pop over to Gandelman Jewelers. Gandelman’s eye-catching collection also includes Lladró porcelain, Baccarat crystal, Prima Classe leather and David Yurman jewelry.
Capture your memorable vacation moments with a new camera from Sony, Fuji, Cannon or Nikon from the family-run Boolchand’s, which sits right across the street. If you buy it here, you save the duty, and cameras are not the only fun electronics in store. Cross the pontoon bridge to Otrobanda and discover an entirely different world of outdoor shopping at Renaissance Mall, known for top brands like BCBG, Diesel, Furla and Paul & Shark.
 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.
ZUIKERTUIN MALL. Once an impressive colonial plantation house, the renovated Zuikertuin has morphed into a sophisticated boutique mall. The collection of shops here is small and highly selective. Come for versatile style like the chic sportswear at Lacoste, the classic polos at Tommy Hilfiger and the tailored French dress shirts at Façonnable. The shopping gallery also hosts a DA drugstore and the Plaza Gourmet Market. Take a break from the shopping at Gran Café de Heeren, a local favorite, for an afternoon koffie or biertje. For a real treat, order a creamy gelato at Bella Italia.
PROMENADE & SALIÑA. It should be no surprise that the Benneton label, found in the Saliña Galleries, thrives on a colorful Caribbean island like Curaçao. The bold patterns make Benneton sundresses, tote bags and oversize towels a must for your vacation. At the Promenade galleries, browse for swimsuits and lingerie. Across from Promenade, Obsession Water Sports stocks hip swimwear labels like Billabong and Reef. For one-of-a-kind designs, comb the racks at Sea & Sand, which specializes in European luxury labels like Huit and Cyell. For lacy two-piece affairs you can wear year-round, check out the renowned Dutch couture lingerie at Hunkemoller.
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.
 Boolchand's
Welcome to the World of Sony and other famous name brand products and electronics such as D'Orlahn, Apple, BOSE, Konica Minolta, Citizen.
 View our Video
E-mail: boolchand.cur@boolchand.com
Website: www.boolchand.com
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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@gandelman.net
Website: www.gandelman.net
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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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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In Curaçao’s street markets, duty-free shops and quirky malls, find perfumes, jewelry and watches, electronics, classic sportswear and trendy fashions. Show off your new tan while you shop the new mall, older landhuis or ancient side street. Look for good buys on French perfumes, Dutch Delft blue souvenirs, finely woven Italian silks, Japanese and German cameras, jewelry, silver, Swiss watches, fine timepieces, linens, leather goods, liquor and island-made rum and liqueurs.
