Help with stores closing in Curacao

[dbrucern]

We are on the Breeze in May, arrive in Curacao in the afternoon, does anyone know what time the stores close in the old city. Trying to decide on excursion.

[scott_gallant]

I'm wondering the same thing. We are there in April on the Breeze and only arrive at 2PM.

[ILCruzr]

Early like 5-6? We had the same issue on the miracle 2 years ago. We took a tour off the ship and by the time we were done, the stores were closed. It's my most favorite place in the caribbean, and I wanna go back. There's a cool area near the port with some high end shopping and places to have drinks. It's near the rif fort! Enjoy curaçao!

[mrsomalley]

We just returned Thursday after a week stay on the island. The stores do close early. Some as early as 5:30 in Punda. I think Rif Fort stayed open til 7. I was shocked that retailers were willing to lose sales opportunity while cruise ships are in port. Also not all stores are open on sunday.

[Isa65]

It depends what day of the week you're here.

Most weekdays all stores in the downtown area will close around 6 pm. On Thursdays some stores stay open for "koopavond" (buying-evening).

 

The stores in the Riffort Village and Renaissance Mall will stay open a little later - on Saturdays sometimes until 9 pm.

 

Most merchants will tell you that based on their experience, cruise ship passengers will not be shopping after dark, hence their decision to close shop at 6 or 7.

[crewsweeper]

Yes the stores in Punda do close early. 5:30-6PM, local time, which is an hour ahead of ship's time. So 4:30-5PM ship time. I believe stores in Fort Riff say open a little later as they are nearer the Mega dock where the Breeze docks. Kiosks along the waterfront heading toward the pedestrian bridge also start to shutter around sunset.