Christmas in Curacao: For Cruise Ship Passengers
Updated: 10 minutes ago
I wish someone had written this article when I was traveling to Curacao for Christmas, but alas I really couldn't find the information I needed.
Would the shops be open? Were markets, museums and other tourist destinations accepting visitors? It wasn't really clear to me when I did my research.
Finally, I have the answers that I hope others are also seeking, as I visited Curacao on Christmas Day in 2024.
Below I'll share a bit about what to expect in the Curacao cruise port, what was open and closed, and some great ideas for making sure the whole family has a relaxing and fulfilling holiday (without any unnecessary stress).
Note that if you only have a day in Curacao, and it's not Christmas, this list also applies to you! There's plenty of great basic-level planning knowledge here to get you started.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale. For information on how this may impact your privacy rights, please consult my privacy policy.
In this article you will find:
and more!
What's Open on Christmas Day in Curacao?
During my visit there were 2 giant cruise ships in port on Christmas Day. We're talking about thousands of people visiting the Dutch village of Curacao on the one day of year that traditionally everything is closed.
From my personal experience and some seriously deep diving on the internet forums, the overall outlook on things being open in Curacao was simply, that they are not open. I fully expected everything to be closed in observance of the holiday.
Honestly, the forums were wrong.
If you are a cruise ship passenger in Curacao, expect all the tourist needs to be accommodating to you on Christmas Day.
Here's a breakdown of what I encountered or learned:
Convenience Stores? Some mini markets are open
Grocery Stores and Markets? Limited hours or Closed; Look for the Chinese markets - they are typically open and have many things on offer including essentials.
Liquor stores? Closed
Souvenir stalls and shops? Open. Learn more about shopping in Curacao below.
Museums and Attractions? Closed. Believe it or not, this also includes the Jewish Synagogue and Historical/Cultural Museum, which the website declares is closed on Christmas Day.
Beaches? Open, unless they charge a fee. Most do not.
Restaurants? You should email/call for availability, limited hours, and holiday menus. Learn where I recommend below.
What to Do in Curacao Cruise Port - On Christmas Day!
Your best bet is to plan well in advance and prepare for a quiet day in port. Booking a tour and making a lunch reservation will be the best way to proceed. Here's what I recommend:
Shopping in Curacao
There are three primary shopping areas available to tourists getting off of cruise ships, plus one a couple others a little further out (still walking distance):
The port kiosks - open air stalls for browsing as you proceed towards town
Rif Fort - an old fort owned by Marriott, turned into a touristy shopping center
Punda - main lanes across the floating bridge for souvenir shopping
At the port
There are many stalls to buy souvenirs, blue Curacao liquor, and several open air bars and restaurants to walk past on the way to town. All were open on Christmas Day.
Rif Fort
There is a Dutch store with blue and white ceramics and classically Dutch clog ornaments or dishware.
You can also find here candy shops, ice cream shops, jewelry stores and restaurants.
Punda and Otrabanda
Souvenir shops and Chinese stores were indeed open and had great deals on clothing, hats, shoes, souvenirs and local goods.
See the emblem of the city, the Chichi statue, in Punda's main square, along with a classic photo op at the Curacao sign.
Floating Market
This famously named area used to actually float, but now it is just more kiosks lined up along a waterway further back from the tourist areas in Punda. You go here mainly for cheaper prices and for fresh farmer's market produce.
If you take a Tuk tuk, it's fun to drive by the sellers as they try to sell you fruits and vegetables in passing.
Hulanda Village
Across from Punda is a treasure trove of cuteness, just up the hill. A not too difficult walk will lead you into colorful lanes and charming shops. Ice cream shops and Cafes were open.
Book a Tuk Tuk Tour
If you are looking for activities in Curacao, this is a wonderful and easy one available to you on Christmas Day.
Book ahead and meet the Tuk Tuk driver at the spot noted when you book. You'll get an insider peek around the area including beautiful vistas and historic neighborhoods.
Even in December Curacao is hot, so having a chauffer and history buff with you on a Tuk tuk makes for an excellent way to beat the heat and get to know the culture of the destination.
We even got to see our tour guide's old school, and meet (several) of his friends in passing.
We yelled "Bon Pasku!" (Merry Christmas!) to everyone we met.
To take this tour, there are two routes you can book on Viator, and two types of vehicles.
There are two options:
Choose departure:
West Side (Otrabanda) - Meet at Dutch Treat on west side of Queen's pontoon bridge
East Side (Willemsted) - Meet at Statue of Kolonel Carel on east side of Queen's pontoon bridge
Book the date and time and simply show up!
Look for Street Art
There's a fun story about the paint colors in Curacao. Every year around the new year the buildings annually change the color of the facade, but it wasn't always this way. The buildings used to be a stark white, blinding to visitors. They needed to start importing colorful paint colors to the island, but it was expensive!
The first to import colorful paints were the wealthy and government run buildings, and as more shipments of paint started coming, the more the prices averaged out for the every-man to buy. Next thing you know, color was popping up all over Curacao. Look at some of these beautiful examples of street art that I encountered on my Tuk tuk ride.
Reserve Lunch at Maira's Kitchen
This gorgeous restaurant served up local cuisine and wonderful cocktails. Definitely make a reservation for outdoor seating on Christmas Day.
If you are wondering is the food expensive in Curacao? The answer is, not really. You'll pay tourist prices at port spots, but I didn't find our meal outrageous at all.
In fact, the menu prices may surprise you - but don't forget, they are in Curacao money (the Netherlands Guilder), not dollars! So if you see a price listed as 45 on the menu, don't fall off your chair - it's about $25 USD.
Walk the Bridges
An inevitable past time in Curacao, walk the bridges - but beware they float! They operate as swing-arm drawbridges for passing ships, and you may find yourself cut off from the opposite end for a few minutes! Enjoy the ride.
Pietermaai
Visit colorful colonial lanes and hip restaurants here. Learn more about this unique neighborhood. Even riding by in my Tuk tuk, I wanted to spend more time there!
Traditional Foods and Dutch Things to Experience for Christmas in Curacao
Ham di Pasku
The quintessential holiday ham, of course! And while we're on the phrase, say "Bon Pasku" to wish a Merry Christmas to passersby.
Olliebollen
My Dutch friend introduced me to the bar snacks treat, bitterballen, which resembles a croquette in some ways. (You can read about my first time having this in Rotterdam here).
Deep fried dough, the bitterballen and the Olliebollen also resemble one another. Dutch doughy treats both, the olliebollen is found more traditionally around the holiday season. Oily, delicious, sinful.
Ayaka (Hallaca)
A stew with dried fruits like raisins and prunes, wrapped and very similar to a tamale. It has Venezuelan origins but is very popular for the Dutch island during the holiday season.
Fried Tutu Fingers
Our Tuk Tuk driver told us about his mom's cooking, and I asked him what he'd be having for Christmas dinner. He started salivating telling me about the fried tutu fingers that his mother makes.
Adopt the Phrase, "Dushi"
While you are in Curacao, adopt the phrase, "dushi", which means I love it, it's great. Also, chill out. I had a little moment with the waitress at lunch (I blame heat exhaustion and alcohol) and to calm me down, she told me "dushi, dushi". Like, it's ok kid just relax. But it can also be used like, "this place is dushi" - it's dope. Or man, this olliebollen is dushi!
And, although Curacao was dushi, I actually fell in love with the other Dutch port on my itinerary - Aruba. I encourage readers to hop on over to my sister articles to learn more about a day in Aruba and the wonderful things you can do there, too!
So, plan your trip for Christmas in Curacao with the ease of mind that all is dushi, and things are open. No problem.
Headed to other Caribbean ports?
I've got you covered with more things to do and cruise port guides:
Comentários