Curaçao Economy and Shopping

Curaçao Economy and Shopping

DUTY-FREE SHOPPING

Overview

The following items can be imported into Curaçao duty-free (people over 18 years):

200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250 grams of tobacco;
one fifth alcoholic beverages.

Prohibited imports

Neither leather goods from Haiti nor silver coins from Suriname and the Netherlands may be imported.

ECONOMY

Business etiquette

A suit and tie or costume are appropriate for business meetings. Punctuality is taken for granted.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m.

Economy

Curacao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
Kaya Junior Salas 1, PO Box 10, Curacao
Tel: (09) 461 39 18
Internet: www.curacao-chamber.an

Conferences and congresses

Further information and planning assistance are available from the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (see contact addresses).

Business contacts

Curacao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
Kaya Junior Salas 1, PO Box 10, Curacao
Tel: (09) 461 39 18
Internet: www.curacao-chamber.an

COMMUNICATION

Phone

International direct dialing.

Cellphone

GSM 900 network. The main network operators are Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BT&P) (Internet: www.btnp.org), Curacao Telecom NV (Internet: www.curacaotelecom.com), Setel NV and Telcell NV Cell phones can be rented on site.

Internet

There are several internet cafes in Willemstad. The main provider is IBM.

Post Office

Airmail to Europe takes 4-6 days, by sea it takes 6 weeks. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. The main post office and post office at the airport are also open on Saturday 7.30 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

SHOP

Overview

Like all the other islands in the former Netherlands Antilles, as a country located in North America according to ezinereligion, Curaçao is a free port and thus a shoppers’ paradise. There is a large selection of imported goods. Local souvenirs such as jewelry, handcrafted dolls, wooden shoes and items made from palm straw are also popular. A special souvenir is one of the handcrafted, colorful kites (Vliegers) that are sold at some street stalls.

The capital Willemstad offers the best shopping opportunities, especially in the Punda district. At the floating market in front of Plasa Jojo Correa in Waaigat, you can buy fresh fish, fruit and vegetables at particularly low prices. The goods are imported from Venezuela by ship. The Keramos pottery in the Kaya Col district produces individual customer requests such as door and shop signs. The handmade ceramic souvenirs are popular with tourists, such as cheerfully painted wall panels and the popular traditional Kunuku Huises (country houses) in miniature format. In Willemstad there are also some larger shopping centers, such as the Samira Shopping Center in Buena Vista, the Las Vegas Shopping Center in Gosie or theMuizenberg Shopping Center in Suffisant.

The larger supermarkets, such as Centrum, Esperamos and Vreugdenhill, offer a wide range of goods. Some supermarkets have a grill stand at the meat counter, where freshly grilled chicken and spare ribs are offered.

Opening hours

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Supermarkets are usually open Mon-Sat 8 am-8pm and Sun 8 am-1pm.

Annotation

Attention: The import of jewelry made from black coral into Germany is prohibited!

CULINARY

Regional specialities

  • Parilla de Marisco(appetizing platter with grilled seafood)
  • Stobá with Moro(braised meat with rice and beans)
  • Suppa de iguana(iguana soup)
  • Kabritu Stoba(braised goat meat)
  • Guiambo(slimy soup made from okra pods)
  • Kaduschi(cactus soup)

Tip

The hotel bills include 5% tax and 12% service. Hotel porters, bar staff and waiters expect a 10% tip.

Regional drinks

The drinking water is considered to be one of the best in the world. As everywhere in the Caribbean, alcoholic mixed drinks and cocktails are often refined with a strong dash of rum. The liqueur Curaçao is made from the dried peels of bitter oranges (laraha) and various spices and is available in red, orange, green and blue as well as in a clear form. There are also mixtures of coffee, chocolate and rum. The Curaçao liqueur distillery can be visited (Internet: www.curacaoliqueur.com). The popular Amstel beer is no longer brewed on Curaçao, but imported from the Netherlands.

Minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages

In Curaçao you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.

Curaçao Economy and Shopping