Penha Curaçao: Everything You Need To Know


Penha Duty Free is perhaps one of the most famous stores in Curaçao, if not in the lesser Antilles. The Curaçao-founded department store is the largest beauty retailer in the Caribbean with over 25 stores on 5 different islands. The sunflower yellow building on the Handelskade is the company’s best-known icon. 

Penha Curaçao store handelskade Punda

About Penha 

The company was founded in 1865 as a family business and has created an empire within the Caribbean beauty and luxury branches over the years. With stores in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and Grand Cayman, Penha Duty Free is well represented all over the region.  

The product range consists of luxury perfumes, cosmetics, skincare, liqueurs, and other luxury goods. Several brands within the Penha group offer additional ranges. 

Some of these brands include Victoria’s Secret, MAC, and Bath & Body works in Aruba. You can also find stores at various airports and shopping malls. 

Penha Duty Free Curaçao Airport

Penha Stores in Curaçao 

Penha stores can be found all over the island of Curaçao. The company has branches in Punda, Saliña, Zuikertuin Mall and Sambil shopping mall.  

At the Curaçao International Airport, you can find a large store at both departures and arrivals.  

 MAC Cosmetics and Victoria’s Secret can be found in the Heerenstraat in Punda. These stores are also part of the Penha group in Curaçao. 

handelskade Curaçao Punda

The Building at the Handelskade 

The Penha building is one of the most photographed objects in Curaçao and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1708, the bright yellow building with ornate white details is a special sight in the heart of Willemstad. 

The iconic building at the corner of Breedeweg with Handelskade used to be a merchant- and trade post and warehouse. Back in the day, it had a convenient location at the Sint Anna Bay, allowing ships to dock easily nearby the building. 

Although the active trade on the Handelskade has passed, the yellow building is still an A-location in Willemstad. Thousands of people pass by the building every day to go from Punda to Otrobanda and vice versa.  

Penha shopping in Curaçao Punda Sambil Zuikertuin

Our experience with Penha 

Penha is all about an authentic costumer experience, that’s how we experience a visit to the department store. The staff is always helpful and happy to think along with you. It is important in this industry to be aware of the latest trends and developments. This is certainly the case with Penha.  

The store clerks often come up with ideas and helpful suggestions. They want to go that extra mile for you and that’s what makes me want to come back to the store over and over again. If I need a perfume, cosmetic, or gift, this is my place to go. 

Penha building Punda

Opening hours 

Most Penha stores are open from 9:00 – 18:00, from Monday to Saturday, with a few exceptions. The store in Sambil is also open on Sundays.  

The flagship store in Punda, MAC Cosmetics, and Victoria’s secret are open until 20:00 on Thursdays, due to the Punda Vibes event.  

The Duty Free stores at the airport have deviating opening hours. from morning to night when flights depart or arrive.

Penha Curaçao shopping in Punda

Online shopping experience 

Penha offers a complete online shopping experience for anyone who wants to shop from the comfort of their home. You can find a large part of the usual range on the website. 

The delivery costs under $100.00 are $10.00. All amounts above enjoy free delivery service. 

Orders to be delivered to Banda Riba will be delivered within 2 days of confirmation. For the Banda Bou region, deliveries will be made once a week.  

Check out their website for more information and conditions regarding online shopping and deliveries. 

Roxanne Verheesen

Hi there! My name is Roxanne , 30 years old and born in the Netherlands, I've visited Curaçao for the first time in 2011 and moved to the island one year later. Love to write, snorkel and watch pinky-orangish sunsets at the beach.

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