Tips for shopping in Curaçao
Tissues, spices, jam, beer & more
When traveling abroad, you quickly notice that not every familiar and beloved brand from home is on the shelf. And if they are, it's usually at a multiple of the price you pay at home. Tissues are a good example: "Tempos" and "Zewa Softies" are rarely available abroad. Of course, supermarkets all over the world sell tissues. But which product or brand should you buy? Which one is closest to what you are used to from home?
We have compiled a list of items that we regularly buy in Curacao. They are in no way inferior to the products we are familiar with in Europe – sometimes even unique. Just keep in mind that almost everything on an island in the Caribbean is flown in or comes by container ship, so stock can change quickly. What's on the shelf today may not be available tomorrow. However, there is usually a substitute product. And just like at home: branded goods generally come at a premium. Often, local "no-name" options are cheaper and surprisingly good. Also, look specifically for regional products!
Tissues
In the international (=Dutch or French) chains such as Van den Tweel and Carrefour, you can usually find Tempos or Zewa Softies. However, expect to pay 5 to 10 EUR/USD for a small pack.
If you do not want to pay a fortune and are open to trying different brands, we tested a few tissue brands over the years. Some are only single-ply and fall apart as soon as they are unfolded. Others are multi-layered and gentle on your nose. At Centrum Supermarket and New California Supermarket you will find their own brand "Jumbo", which offers good quality at European prices – and not just for paper tissues. Jumbo products often come from the Netherlands and are therefore close to what we know from Europe.
Jumbo tissues "Zacht & Sterk"
We recommend Jumbo handkerchiefs in packs of 9: ECO LOGISCH ZAK DOEKJES LEKKER ZACHT 4 LAAGS for 2.56 Cg (approx. 1.30 EUR / 1.43 USD) or JUMBO ZACHT & STERK for 4.99 Cg (approx. 2.60 EUR / 2.78 USD)
Spices
You are actually likely to find salt and pepper in your accommodation. At least if you have chosen an apartment or villa over an all-inclusive hotel. But let's be honest: your cooking deserves more than just the basics 🙂 We would like to share two spices that are a highlight for us, one savory and one sweet.
When you fire up the barbecue at one of the very common BBQ spots, why not add a true Caribbean twist? We recommend trying Caribbean Jerk – a Jamaican spice blend you'll find at Centrum or Esperamos supermarkets. Depending on the amount of chili in the jerk, which mainly contains pepper, chili, allspice, and cinnamon, the jerk will taste more or less spicy. Sprinkle it straight onto the meat or let chicken or pork soak in an oil-and-jerk marinade for a couple of hours for extra flavor. Traditionally, the meat is grilled for a long time at the lowest possible temperature. And the nicest part: it's not just for meat. Jerk can transform potatoes, veggies, or plant-based substitutes into tropical delights equally well.
Badia Jerk Seasoning Jamaican Style
Got a sweet tooth? Appelgebak Mix might be your new favorite. Whether as a topping for poffertjes (=Dutch mini pancakes) or any other snacks or breakfast dishes you want to sweeten: Appelgebak always works! It's the classic cinnamon & sugar combo, but the added apple really rounds it off. Surprisingly, it also works well with scrambled eggs – curious? Try it. Appelgebak puts a smile on even the grumpiest morning grouch.
Look out for JUMBO APPELGEBAK MIX and BADIA JERK SEASONING JAMAICAN STYLE when shopping on Curacao.
Toilet Paper
Since the pandemic, one thing has become clear: for Germans, toilet paper is serious business. Remember the stockpiling? Three-ply, four-ply, with flowers or plain – choosing the "right" roll clearly matters. Sometimes I think it would be easier to be French and worry about the wine supply instead 😉
On Curaçao, toilet paper isn't quite the national concern it is in Germany. Whether in a luxury hotel or a small apartment, you'll usually find single-ply rolls – enough to make you think of your grandfather's newspaper shreds. If you prefer a little more comfort, it's worth picking up premium paper yourself, though it's always an imported (and pricey) treat. The French supermarket chain Carrefour leads the way here: up to 4-ply, super soft, and with flowers, you choose. And Carrefour actually has a great product on offer with its own brand:
CARREFOUR ESSENTIAL ULTRA CONFORT (3-ply in a 6-pack) for 7.95 Cg (approx. 4,- EUR / 4.44 USD)
Carrefour Essential – toilet paper "Ultra Confort"
Beer
Another thing close to many Europeans' hearts: their favourite beer brand: As Heineken is a Dutch brewery, you can get Heineken beers in every supermarket on Curacao. However, Polar, Amstel, Carib and – currently hyped – Brasa beers dominate in restaurants and on the beaches. Corona and other TexMex variants are also at the start.
Brasa is a local beer that was conceived by a few local companies around 2021 as a competitor to the popular TexMex and Bright beers. Brasa means "hug" in Papiamentu. Their advertising slogan "Un Brasa pa tur" (="Give me a Brasa") makes sense. Brasa is popular at beach bars, on the party mile in Pietermaai, and increasingly everywhere on the island. It has become an expression of the Caribbean attitude to life and the island's identity. Just try it!
Brasa beer truck in Curacao
Stefan personally likes to buy the Bigpack Polar on Curacao – bottled not canned. Why? Quite simple: the cans have a little less than 200ml and the bottles around 330ml. At temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, a can of Polar, measured in sips, is just 2-3 sips. In a flash, it's gone. The bottle lasts a little longer. Crisp, fizzy, and close to a German pilsner – this Venezuelan pilsner is worth a try. My girls (= my wife and my grown-up daughters) are fans of Amstel Bright. It's similar to a Radler (Radler = beer with lemonade, very popular in Bavaria). It's refreshing and also really fizzes in the hot temperatures. Want a local beer? Then Carib should go into your shopping cart.
In the end, though, there is no real tip. Beer is beer and remains a matter of taste!
Disclaimer: We take the protection of minors seriously and naturally do not encourage the consumption of alcohol! Alcohol is harmful, and the description of the different types of beer is intended as a guide for adults. You can find more information on this in our netiquette.
Jam, Marmelade & Co
For most self-caterers, the first purchase after water, bread, and butter is a jar of jam – unless Nutella steals the show. Don't worry: Curaçao has both. You'll find Nutella (usually the U.S. version with a bit more palm oil) and jams in plenty of flavours – strawberry, apricot, orange. Mostly, however, not in the "velvety" version that has been popular with us for years – i.e., "without pieces/seeds". If you are searching for a "special" one, you may need to browse a few stores. Make sure you give guava jam a try – tastes like tropical holiday.
What's more fun is exploring the Dutch side of sweet breakfasts. On Curaçao you'll come across stroops: apple, pear, or apple-pear syrups. Think of them as cousins of Grafschafter Goldsaft, but fruitier. Put on bread, they're a deliciously sticky sweat treat worth a little holiday indulgence.
Apple and sugar beet syrup – stroops
Mosquito Bites
No: you won't find Autan, Fenistil & Co. on the island. If you don't want to live without the products you know from Europe, you must bring them in your luggage.
As you probably already anticipated – YES, of course, there is an adequate and perhaps even better substitute on Curacao: Glacial! For 2-3 EUR/USD you can get a bottle of this Caribbean miracle product with an atomizer on every corner. It cools and soothes mosquito bites really well! We didn't want to believe it at first, tried it, and have actually been importing a few bottles home on every trip ever since – also a great souvenir. Once again our tip: Just try it!
Glacial – cool down – breathe again
Something else about the mosquitoes on Curacao: The mosquitoes are called "no-see-them" here. This is because they are very small and you really can't see them. Only the bite makes you aware of them. The good news: only a few of the bites really itch. To really protect ourselves from mosquito bites on Curacao (and elsewhere in the world – especially in tropical Asia), we don't rely on Autan and the European drugstore products. Instead, we have "care Plus Anti-Insect" for our skin and "Nobite" for our clothes (linen!) in our luggage. This is the recommendation of the German Tropical Institute and has worked well for us.
Anything to Add?
Of course! This article could go on forever – we've tried so many things on Curaçao and loved most. The best advice? Dive in yourself! Shop where the locals shop and look for Dutch or island specialties you won't find back home in Europe.
Our latest purchase: The spice blend BADIA SEAFOOD SEASONING CREOLE BLEND – we will be trying it with fresh fish from Playa Piskadó in the coming days. And a bit more unusual: a SOFT BRUSH. Why a brush? We've seen emigrant Germans using it to to dust the sand off their feet before slipping back into flip-flops. Not cool, but very practical!
Brush for the beach 🤔😎 and new spice
Now it's your turn: do you have a special tip? What are we missing? Tell us what we absolutely need to try on Curaçao – drop a comment, send us an email, or connect on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. We can't wait to hear from you!
Note: The Caribbean guilder (Dutch: Caribische gulden, English: Caribbean guilder) has been the official currency of Curacao and Sint Maarten (parts of the former Netherlands Antilles) since March 31, 2025. It replaced the previous currency, the Antillean guilder, at a ratio of 1:1. Like its predecessor (ANG/FL), the Caribbean guilder (XCG, Cg) is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.79 XCG.
Test your knowledge: We've prepared several hundred questions about Curacao. Have fun!
Quiz Question
To which native Curacao artist were stamps dedicated?Answer
Since 2021, there has been a stamp series from Curacao in honor of the painter Nena Sanchez (1945 – 2017) with her most famous motifs:
A Kunuku house, red flower blossoms, a rooster, a trupial (= an orange and black bird whose sounds resemble a cell phone ringtone) and the faces of two of her famous goddesses.
Do you like more? Here is another post you might be interested in:
If you enjoyed this article, we would be very happy if you share it with your friends on social media. Thank you very much!
Well stocked with food and souvenirs? Other sections take you out into nature and to the paradise beaches of Curacao. The underwater world is magnificent and there is also plenty to discover on land. The lifestyle on the island is simply Dushi. We'll tell you what that means in our secrets category: Papiamentu.
Tips for shopping in Curaçao
Tissues, spices, jam, beer & more
When traveling abroad, you quickly notice that not every familiar and beloved brand from home is on the shelf. And if they are, it's usually at a multiple of the price you pay at home. Tissues are a good example: "Tempos" and "Zewa Softies" are rarely available abroad. Of course, supermarkets all over the world sell tissues. But which product or brand should you buy? Which one is closest to what you are used to from home?
We have compiled a list of items that we regularly buy in Curacao. They are in no way inferior to the products we are familiar with in Europe – sometimes even unique. Just keep in mind that almost everything on an island in the Caribbean is flown in or comes by container ship, so stock can change quickly. What's on the shelf today may not be available tomorrow. However, there is usually a substitute product. And just like at home: branded goods generally come at a premium. Often, local "no-name" options are cheaper and surprisingly good. Also, look specifically for regional products!
Tissues
In the international (=Dutch or French) chains such as Van den Tweel and Carrefour, you can usually find Tempos or Zewa Softies. However, expect to pay 5 to 10 EUR/USD for a small pack.
If you do not want to pay a fortune and are open to trying different brands, we tested a few tissue brands over the years. Some are only single-ply and fall apart as soon as they are unfolded. Others are multi-layered and gentle on your nose. At Centrum Supermarket and New California Supermarket you will find their own brand "Jumbo", which offers good quality at European prices – and not just for paper tissues. Jumbo products often come from the Netherlands and are therefore close to what we know from Europe.
Jumbo tissues "Zacht & Sterk"
We recommend Jumbo handkerchiefs in packs of 9: ECO LOGISCH ZAK DOEKJES LEKKER ZACHT 4 LAAGS for 2.56 Cg (approx. 1.30 EUR / 1.43 USD) or JUMBO ZACHT & STERK for 4.99 Cg (approx. 2.60 EUR / 2.78 USD)
Spices
You are actually likely to find salt and pepper in your accommodation. At least if you have chosen an apartment or villa over an all-inclusive hotel. But let's be honest: your cooking deserves more than just the basics 🙂 We would like to share two spices that are a highlight for us, one savory and one sweet.
When you fire up the barbecue at one of the very common BBQ spots, why not add a true Caribbean twist? We recommend trying Caribbean Jerk – a Jamaican spice blend you'll find at Centrum or Esperamos supermarkets. Depending on the amount of chili in the jerk, which mainly contains pepper, chili, allspice, and cinnamon, the jerk will taste more or less spicy. Sprinkle it straight onto the meat or let chicken or pork soak in an oil-and-jerk marinade for a couple of hours for extra flavor. Traditionally, the meat is grilled for a long time at the lowest possible temperature. And the nicest part: it's not just for meat. Jerk can transform potatoes, veggies, or plant-based substitutes into tropical delights equally well.
Badia Jerk Seasoning Jamaican Style
Got a sweet tooth? Appelgebak Mix might be your new favorite. Whether as a topping for poffertjes (=Dutch mini pancakes) or any other snacks or breakfast dishes you want to sweeten: Appelgebak always works! It's the classic cinnamon & sugar combo, but the added apple really rounds it off. Surprisingly, it also works well with scrambled eggs – curious? Try it. Appelgebak puts a smile on even the grumpiest morning grouch.
Look out for JUMBO APPELGEBAK MIX and BADIA JERK SEASONING JAMAICAN STYLE when shopping on Curacao.
Toilet Paper
Since the pandemic, one thing has become clear: for Germans, toilet paper is serious business. Remember the stockpiling? Three-ply, four-ply, with flowers or plain – choosing the "right" roll clearly matters. Sometimes I think it would be easier to be French and worry about the wine supply instead 😉
On Curaçao, toilet paper isn't quite the national concern it is in Germany. Whether in a luxury hotel or a small apartment, you'll usually find single-ply rolls – enough to make you think of your grandfather's newspaper shreds. If you prefer a little more comfort, it's worth picking up premium paper yourself, though it's always an imported (and pricey) treat. The French supermarket chain Carrefour leads the way here: up to 4-ply, super soft, and with flowers, you choose. And Carrefour actually has a great product on offer with its own brand:
CARREFOUR ESSENTIAL ULTRA CONFORT (3-ply in a 6-pack) for 7.95 Cg (approx. 4,- EUR / 4.44 USD)
Carrefour Essential – toilet paper "Ultra Confort"
Beer
Another thing close to many Europeans' hearts: their favourite beer brand: As Heineken is a Dutch brewery, you can get Heineken beers in every supermarket on Curacao. However, Polar, Amstel, Carib and – currently hyped – Brasa beers dominate in restaurants and on the beaches. Corona and other TexMex variants are also at the start.
Brasa is a local beer that was conceived by a few local companies around 2021 as a competitor to the popular TexMex and Bright beers. Brasa means "hug" in Papiamentu. Their advertising slogan "Un Brasa pa tur" (="Give me a Brasa") makes sense. Brasa is popular at beach bars, on the party mile in Pietermaai, and increasingly everywhere on the island. It has become an expression of the Caribbean attitude to life and the island's identity. Just try it!
Brasa beer truck in Curacao
Stefan personally likes to buy the Bigpack Polar on Curacao – bottled not canned. Why? Quite simple: the cans have a little less than 200ml and the bottles around 330ml. At temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, a can of Polar, measured in sips, is just 2-3 sips. In a flash, it's gone. The bottle lasts a little longer. Crisp, fizzy, and close to a German pilsner – this Venezuelan pilsner is worth a try. My girls (= my wife and my grown-up daughters) are fans of Amstel Bright. It's similar to a Radler (Radler = beer with lemonade, very popular in Bavaria). It's refreshing and also really fizzes in the hot temperatures. Want a local beer? Then Carib should go into your shopping cart.
In the end, though, there is no real tip. Beer is beer and remains a matter of taste!
Disclaimer: We take the protection of minors seriously and naturally do not encourage the consumption of alcohol! Alcohol is harmful, and the description of the different types of beer is intended as a guide for adults. You can find more information on this in our netiquette.
Jam, Marmelade & Co
For most self-caterers, the first purchase after water, bread, and butter is a jar of jam – unless Nutella steals the show. Don't worry: Curaçao has both. You'll find Nutella (usually the U.S. version with a bit more palm oil) and jams in plenty of flavours – strawberry, apricot, orange. Mostly, however, not in the "velvety" version that has been popular with us for years – i.e., "without pieces/seeds". If you are searching for a "special" one, you may need to browse a few stores. Make sure you give guava jam a try – tastes like tropical holiday.
What's more fun is exploring the Dutch side of sweet breakfasts. On Curaçao you'll come across stroops: apple, pear, or apple-pear syrups. Think of them as cousins of Grafschafter Goldsaft, but fruitier. Put on bread, they're a deliciously sticky sweat treat worth a little holiday indulgence.
Apple and sugar beet syrup – stroops
Mosquito Bites
No: you won't find Autan, Fenistil & Co. on the island. If you don't want to live without the products you know from Europe, you must bring them in your luggage.
As you probably already anticipated – YES, of course, there is an adequate and perhaps even better substitute on Curacao: Glacial! For 2-3 EUR/USD you can get a bottle of this Caribbean miracle product with an atomizer on every corner. It cools and soothes mosquito bites really well! We didn't want to believe it at first, tried it, and have actually been importing a few bottles home on every trip ever since – also a great souvenir. Once again our tip: Just try it!
Glacial – cool down – breathe again
Something else about the mosquitoes on Curacao: The mosquitoes are called "no-see-them" here. This is because they are very small and you really can't see them. Only the bite makes you aware of them. The good news: only a few of the bites really itch. To really protect ourselves from mosquito bites on Curacao (and elsewhere in the world – especially in tropical Asia), we don't rely on Autan and the European drugstore products. Instead, we have "care Plus Anti-Insect" for our skin and "Nobite" for our clothes (linen!) in our luggage. This is the recommendation of the German Tropical Institute and has worked well for us.
Anything to Add?
Of course! This article could go on forever – we've tried so many things on Curaçao and loved most. The best advice? Dive in yourself! Shop where the locals shop and look for Dutch or island specialties you won't find back home in Europe.
Our latest purchase: The spice blend BADIA SEAFOOD SEASONING CREOLE BLEND – we will be trying it with fresh fish from Playa Piskadó in the coming days. And a bit more unusual: a SOFT BRUSH. Why a brush? We've seen emigrant Germans using it to to dust the sand off their feet before slipping back into flip-flops. Not cool, but very practical!
Brush for the beach 🤔😎 and new spice
Now it's your turn: do you have a special tip? What are we missing? Tell us what we absolutely need to try on Curaçao – drop a comment, send us an email, or connect on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. We can't wait to hear from you!
Note: The Caribbean guilder (Dutch: Caribische gulden, English: Caribbean guilder) has been the official currency of Curacao and Sint Maarten (parts of the former Netherlands Antilles) since March 31, 2025. It replaced the previous currency, the Antillean guilder, at a ratio of 1:1. Like its predecessor (ANG/FL), the Caribbean guilder (XCG, Cg) is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.79 XCG.
Other articles from the "Shopping" category that might interest you:
If you enjoyed this article, we would be very happy if you share it with your friends on social media. Thank you very much!
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Recommended readings from other categories:
Quiz Question
To which native Curacao artist were stamps dedicated?Answer
Since 2021, there has been a stamp series from Curacao in honor of the painter Nena Sanchez (1945 – 2017) with her most famous motifs:
A Kunuku house, red flower blossoms, a rooster, a trupial (= an orange and black bird whose sounds resemble a cell phone ringtone) and the faces of two of her famous goddesses.
#withus - our articles at your fingertips on a common map - try it!
Tips for shopping in Curaçao
Tissues, spices, jam, beer & more
When traveling abroad, you quickly notice that not every familiar and beloved brand from home is on the shelf. And if they are, it's usually at a multiple of the price you pay at home. Tissues are a good example: "Tempos" and "Zewa Softies" are rarely available abroad. Of course, supermarkets all over the world sell tissues. But which product or brand should you buy? Which one is closest to what you are used to from home?
We have compiled a list of items that we regularly buy in Curacao. They are in no way inferior to the products we are familiar with in Europe – sometimes even unique. Just keep in mind that almost everything on an island in the Caribbean is flown in or comes by container ship, so stock can change quickly. What's on the shelf today may not be available tomorrow. However, there is usually a substitute product. And just like at home: branded goods generally come at a premium. Often, local "no-name" options are cheaper and surprisingly good. Also, look specifically for regional products!
Tissues
In the international (=Dutch or French) chains such as Van den Tweel and Carrefour, you can usually find Tempos or Zewa Softies. However, expect to pay 5 to 10 EUR/USD for a small pack.
If you do not want to pay a fortune and are open to trying different brands, we tested a few tissue brands over the years. Some are only single-ply and fall apart as soon as they are unfolded. Others are multi-layered and gentle on your nose. At Centrum Supermarket and New California Supermarket you will find their own brand "Jumbo", which offers good quality at European prices – and not just for paper tissues. Jumbo products often come from the Netherlands and are therefore close to what we know from Europe.
Jumbo tissues "Zacht & Sterk"
We recommend Jumbo handkerchiefs in packs of 9: ECO LOGISCH ZAK DOEKJES LEKKER ZACHT 4 LAAGS for 2.56 Cg (approx. 1.30 EUR / 1.43 USD) or JUMBO ZACHT & STERK for 4.99 Cg (approx. 2.60 EUR / 2.78 USD)
Spices
You are actually likely to find salt and pepper in your accommodation. At least if you have chosen an apartment or villa over an all-inclusive hotel. But let's be honest: your cooking deserves more than just the basics 🙂 We would like to share two spices that are a highlight for us, one savory and one sweet.
When you fire up the barbecue at one of the very common BBQ spots, why not add a true Caribbean twist? We recommend trying Caribbean Jerk – a Jamaican spice blend you'll find at Centrum or Esperamos supermarkets. Depending on the amount of chili in the jerk, which mainly contains pepper, chili, allspice, and cinnamon, the jerk will taste more or less spicy. Sprinkle it straight onto the meat or let chicken or pork soak in an oil-and-jerk marinade for a couple of hours for extra flavor. Traditionally, the meat is grilled for a long time at the lowest possible temperature. And the nicest part: it's not just for meat. Jerk can transform potatoes, veggies, or plant-based substitutes into tropical delights equally well.
Badia Jerk Seasoning Jamaican Style
Got a sweet tooth? Appelgebak Mix might be your new favorite. Whether as a topping for poffertjes (=Dutch mini pancakes) or any other snacks or breakfast dishes you want to sweeten: Appelgebak always works! It's the classic cinnamon & sugar combo, but the added apple really rounds it off. Surprisingly, it also works well with scrambled eggs – curious? Try it. Appelgebak puts a smile on even the grumpiest morning grouch.
Look out for JUMBO APPELGEBAK MIX and BADIA JERK SEASONING JAMAICAN STYLE when shopping on Curacao.
Toilet Paper
Since the pandemic, one thing has become clear: for Germans, toilet paper is serious business. Remember the stockpiling? Three-ply, four-ply, with flowers or plain – choosing the "right" roll clearly matters. Sometimes I think it would be easier to be French and worry about the wine supply instead 😉
On Curaçao, toilet paper isn't quite the national concern it is in Germany. Whether in a luxury hotel or a small apartment, you'll usually find single-ply rolls – enough to make you think of your grandfather's newspaper shreds. If you prefer a little more comfort, it's worth picking up premium paper yourself, though it's always an imported (and pricey) treat. The French supermarket chain Carrefour leads the way here: up to 4-ply, super soft, and with flowers, you choose. And Carrefour actually has a great product on offer with its own brand:
CARREFOUR ESSENTIAL ULTRA CONFORT (3-ply in a 6-pack) for 7.95 Cg (approx. 4,- EUR / 4.44 USD)
Carrefour Essential – toilet paper "Ultra Confort"
Beer
Another thing close to many Europeans' hearts: their favourite beer brand: As Heineken is a Dutch brewery, you can get Heineken beers in every supermarket on Curacao. However, Polar, Amstel, Carib and – currently hyped – Brasa beers dominate in restaurants and on the beaches. Corona and other TexMex variants are also at the start.
Brasa is a local beer that was conceived by a few local companies around 2021 as a competitor to the popular TexMex and Bright beers. Brasa means "hug" in Papiamentu. Their advertising slogan "Un Brasa pa tur" (="Give me a Brasa") makes sense. Brasa is popular at beach bars, on the party mile in Pietermaai, and increasingly everywhere on the island. It has become an expression of the Caribbean attitude to life and the island's identity. Just try it!
Brasa beer truck in Curacao
Stefan personally likes to buy the Bigpack Polar on Curacao – bottled not canned. Why? Quite simple: the cans have a little less than 200ml and the bottles around 330ml. At temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, a can of Polar, measured in sips, is just 2-3 sips. In a flash, it's gone. The bottle lasts a little longer. Crisp, fizzy, and close to a German pilsner – this Venezuelan pilsner is worth a try. My girls (= my wife and my grown-up daughters) are fans of Amstel Bright. It's similar to a Radler (Radler = beer with lemonade, very popular in Bavaria). It's refreshing and also really fizzes in the hot temperatures. Want a local beer? Then Carib should go into your shopping cart.
In the end, though, there is no real tip. Beer is beer and remains a matter of taste!
Disclaimer: We take the protection of minors seriously and naturally do not encourage the consumption of alcohol! Alcohol is harmful, and the description of the different types of beer is intended as a guide for adults. You can find more information on this in our netiquette.
Jam, Marmelade & Co
For most self-caterers, the first purchase after water, bread, and butter is a jar of jam – unless Nutella steals the show. Don't worry: Curaçao has both. You'll find Nutella (usually the U.S. version with a bit more palm oil) and jams in plenty of flavours – strawberry, apricot, orange. Mostly, however, not in the "velvety" version that has been popular with us for years – i.e., "without pieces/seeds". If you are searching for a "special" one, you may need to browse a few stores. Make sure you give guava jam a try – tastes like tropical holiday.
What's more fun is exploring the Dutch side of sweet breakfasts. On Curaçao you'll come across stroops: apple, pear, or apple-pear syrups. Think of them as cousins of Grafschafter Goldsaft, but fruitier. Put on bread, they're a deliciously sticky sweat treat worth a little holiday indulgence.
Apple and sugar beet syrup – stroops
Mosquito Bites
No: you won't find Autan, Fenistil & Co. on the island. If you don't want to live without the products you know from Europe, you must bring them in your luggage.
As you probably already anticipated – YES, of course, there is an adequate and perhaps even better substitute on Curacao: Glacial! For 2-3 EUR/USD you can get a bottle of this Caribbean miracle product with an atomizer on every corner. It cools and soothes mosquito bites really well! We didn't want to believe it at first, tried it, and have actually been importing a few bottles home on every trip ever since – also a great souvenir. Once again our tip: Just try it!
Glacial – cool down – breathe again
Something else about the mosquitoes on Curacao: The mosquitoes are called "no-see-them" here. This is because they are very small and you really can't see them. Only the bite makes you aware of them. The good news: only a few of the bites really itch. To really protect ourselves from mosquito bites on Curacao (and elsewhere in the world – especially in tropical Asia), we don't rely on Autan and the European drugstore products. Instead, we have "care Plus Anti-Insect" for our skin and "Nobite" for our clothes (linen!) in our luggage. This is the recommendation of the German Tropical Institute and has worked well for us.
Anything to Add?
Of course! This article could go on forever – we've tried so many things on Curaçao and loved most. The best advice? Dive in yourself! Shop where the locals shop and look for Dutch or island specialties you won't find back home in Europe.
Our latest purchase: The spice blend BADIA SEAFOOD SEASONING CREOLE BLEND – we will be trying it with fresh fish from Playa Piskadó in the coming days. And a bit more unusual: a SOFT BRUSH. Why a brush? We've seen emigrant Germans using it to to dust the sand off their feet before slipping back into flip-flops. Not cool, but very practical!
Brush for the beach 🤔😎 and new spice
Now it's your turn: do you have a special tip? What are we missing? Tell us what we absolutely need to try on Curaçao – drop a comment, send us an email, or connect on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. We can't wait to hear from you!
Note: The Caribbean guilder (Dutch: Caribische gulden, English: Caribbean guilder) has been the official currency of Curacao and Sint Maarten (parts of the former Netherlands Antilles) since March 31, 2025. It replaced the previous currency, the Antillean guilder, at a ratio of 1:1. Like its predecessor (ANG/FL), the Caribbean guilder (XCG, Cg) is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.79 XCG.
Check out our reading recommendation:
Curacao is alive and things are always changing. What has changed since our last visit? How is your experience? Would you please share your personal experiences with us? Feel free to write your comment under this article and follow us on our social media channels. There you can spontaneously share your personal impressions with us and our community - "sharing is caring". We look forward to your contribution and every new follower!
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Quiz Question
To which native Curacao artist were stamps dedicated?Answer
Since 2021, there has been a stamp series from Curacao in honor of the painter Nena Sanchez (1945 – 2017) with her most famous motifs:
A Kunuku house, red flower blossoms, a rooster, a trupial (= an orange and black bird whose sounds resemble a cell phone ringtone) and the faces of two of her famous goddesses.
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