Make Authentic Espadrilles in Curacao

Curaçao’s espadrille workshop turns a souvenir into something you actually make and wear. You learn how a simple working shoe became a fashion item, then choose the base, stitching style, colors, and laces for your own pair.

I like the hands-on work with master artisans and the fact that your finished shoes are a useful memory, not another trinket. I also like the small celebration at the end, with snacks, champagne, photos, and a chance to show off your handiwork.

The main consideration is time. Two hours can pass quickly, but making shoes is not a rushed port activity. If you want a quick shopping stop, this will feel long, and upgrades to wedges, heels, or platforms cost extra.

Key things to know before you book

• You make a wearable pair from start to finish: Choose the base size, stitching style, color, and lace type, then learn several ways to tie them.
• The workshop is at 13 Heerenstraat: You meet in Willemstad and finish at the same location.
• The group can have up to 20 people: That keeps the workshop social, though personal help may vary with the group size.
• The experience lasts about two hours: Plan for a short introduction, material choices, workshop time, and a final celebration.
• Snacks and champagne are included: The opening and closing drinks add a festive touch without making the activity only about shopping.
• Port pickup can be arranged if needed: Ask about this before booking, especially if you are visiting Curaçao from a cruise ship.

Making a Curaçao souvenir with your own hands

Many island souvenirs are easy to buy and just as easy to forget. This experience takes a different route. You leave with a pair of espadrilles made through your own choices, plus a story about how they came together.

You are not simply decorating a finished shoe. You learn about the shoe’s humble beginnings, handle the materials, select the design, and work at a workshop table. That gives the souvenir a personal connection to your time in Curaçao.

The price is $129.90 per person, so this is not the cheapest two-hour activity on the island. The value comes from the combination of instruction, materials, expert help, a custom-made pair, drinks, snacks, and a hosted activity in Willemstad. If you already want a handmade item and enjoy making things, the cost is easier to justify. If you mainly want sightseeing, you may prefer to spend the same money on a longer excursion.

The workshop has received a perfect five-star rating from the five published reviews supplied for this experience, and it has received Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice recognition in 2021 and 2023. Those details do not guarantee that every session will feel identical, but they point to a clear strength: people appreciate the personal, creative nature of the activity.

Starting with the shoe’s humble origins

Your visit begins in the entrance hall, where you get a drink and learn how espadrilles developed from a practical shoe into a fashionable item. The contrast is part of the fun. You start with an ordinary object tied to working life, then see how materials, design, and fashion changed its place in the world.

This opening takes about 15 minutes. It gives the workshop some context without turning the experience into a long lecture. I like that balance. You understand what you are making before you sit down with the tools.

The welcome also helps set the tone. This is meant to be social and relaxed, not a silent craft class. A drink in hand makes it easier to ask questions, compare design ideas, and settle into the activity.

If you are bringing children, keep in mind that the experience includes historical background and careful making. The information says most people can participate, but it does not promise a special children’s format. Young participants should be comfortable sitting at a table and following artisan instructions.

Choosing from a huge range of designs

After the introduction, you spend about 20 minutes learning about the traditional materials and making design choices. This is where your pair begins to feel personal.

You choose the size of the base, the stitching style, and the color and type of laces. The workshop offers more than 100,000 possible combinations, at least in the full range of options described. That number sounds enormous, but the practical point is simpler: you are unlikely to end up with the same pair as the person beside you.

The choices also affect how much time you need. If you arrive with a firm idea of your favorite colors and style, you can move along quickly. If you enjoy comparing combinations, this may be one of the best parts of the session. It is worth remembering that the design stage is not separate from the finished result. The style you choose determines how your shoes look and how you will lace them later.

An instructor helps you through the options, so you do not need to know anything about shoemaking. Shasan is named in one account as a sweet and effective teacher, and the staff are repeatedly described as warm and helpful. Spelling of the name may vary, but you can expect guidance from the workshop team rather than being left alone with a pile of materials.

One hour at the workshop table

The central part of the experience lasts about an hour. You sit at the workshop tables, design your espadrilles, and learn how to lace them.

This is the part that makes the activity different from a standard shopping stop. You have time to work with your hands and watch the pair take shape. The artisan assistance matters here. You may need help with a choice, a technique, or the way the laces sit, and the team is there to guide you.

Do not expect a factory-style process where someone else makes the shoes while you watch. The point is participation. That also means your pace may vary from another person’s pace. Some people will enjoy taking their time. Others may want more direct help to keep things moving.

The workshop is limited to a maximum of 20 people. That is small enough to keep the activity personal, though a full group can still mean you wait briefly for assistance. If you want focused attention, asking about the expected group size when you arrange the visit is sensible.

The one-hour work period is also why this activity suits people who like crafts, design, and practical souvenirs. You are not just collecting a memory of Curaçao. You are building one.

Learning several ways to lace your shoes

The lacing lesson adds a useful detail that is easy to overlook. You do not have to wear the espadrilles in only one fixed way. The instructor shows you different ways to lace them, giving you more control over the final look.

That makes the shoes feel more like your own design. You can think about how you want them to sit on your feet and how you want the laces to appear. The exact lacing methods are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a formal footwear class. It is a practical part of finishing the pair.

It also gives you something to remember after the workshop. Once you get home, the lacing lesson helps keep the experience alive instead of leaving the shoes in a closet with no clear idea how to wear them.

Champagne, photos, and a little celebration

The last 25 minutes are set aside for a festive finish. The team opens a bottle of champagne, and you can dance, take pictures, and show off your new espadrilles.

This ending may sound light, but it helps the activity feel complete. You have spent time choosing materials and making the shoes. A final toast marks the change from workshop project to finished souvenir.

Snacks and champagne are included in the price. The welcome may also include drinks and chips, adding to the casual feel from the moment you arrive. If you do not drink alcohol, the supplied information does not specify an alternative, so you may want to ask ahead.

The photo opportunity is useful for anyone who wants a record of the process, not just a picture of the finished shoes. You can leave with the pair and a visual reminder of the workshop atmosphere.

One published account described the staff and shop as a whole vibe, while another called the experience invigorating. Those reactions fit the format: this is part craft session, part social gathering, and part celebration.

What the $129.90 price really covers

At $129.90 per person, the workshop asks you to pay for more than a pair of shoes. The price includes artisan assistance, a custom-made pair of espadrilles, snacks, and champagne.

The main value is the personal work. A ready-made pair bought in a shop would usually be a simpler purchase. Here, you choose from a very large range of combinations and spend about an hour making the item. You also get help from people who know the materials and construction.

The cost makes the most sense for three types of people:

• You want a souvenir that is hard to find elsewhere in Curaçao.
• You enjoy making and designing things.
• You value a hosted activity more than a quick retail purchase.

The calculation is less favorable if you are not interested in wearing espadrilles or prefer sightseeing and outdoor activities. You also need to budget extra for an upgrade to a wedge, heel, or platform, since those options are not included.

The workshop does give you something with daily use. A handmade shoe can remind you of the island every time you wear it, and the design choices make it more personal than a standard pair from a store.

Who will enjoy this workshop most

I would recommend this to couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy creative classes, and families with older children who can take part in table work. It also fits well for anyone who wants a break from beaches and bus tours.

It is a good choice for a cruise day if you can arrange your timing carefully. The meeting point is in Willemstad, and pickup from the cruise port can be organized if needed. Since the activity lasts about two hours and returns to the starting point, you have a clear time block rather than an open-ended outing.

People with limited mobility may want to ask for more details before booking. The information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but it does not provide specific details about seating, workshop access, or step-free entry.

This is not the best match for someone who wants a quiet, private lesson. The group limit is 20, and the final portion includes music, dancing, and photos. It is also not ideal if you need to leave with the finished shoes immediately for another appointment, since the full session uses the stated two-hour period.

The activity is listed near public transportation, and it ends where it begins. Confirmation arrives at booking, which helps when you are planning the rest of your day.

Booking well ahead and protecting your plans

This experience is booked an average of 37 days in advance. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if the workshop is important to your Curaçao plans, especially if you need a particular date during a cruise stop or busy holiday period.

The cancellation policy is friendly but firm. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

I would also contact the provider before arrival if you need port pickup, want to ask about an upgrade, or have questions about accessibility. The provider is Handmade The Brand®, and the meeting point is 13 Heerenstraat, Willemstad.

Should you make your own pair?

Book this if you want a personal, creative souvenir and like the idea of spending two relaxed hours with artisans. The strongest reasons are the huge design choice, the chance to make a wearable item yourself, and the warm finish with snacks, champagne, and photos.

Think twice if you only want a fast introduction to Curaçao or if $129.90 feels high for a two-hour activity. You will spend much of the session seated and working, not touring the island.

For the right person, this is a smart way to bring home more than a product. You choose it, make it, lace it, and leave with a story that belongs to you.

FAQ

Where does the espadrille workshop begin?

It begins at 13 Heerenstraat in Willemstad, Curaçao.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes assistance from expert artisans, one pair of custom-made espadrilles, snacks, and champagne.

Can I choose the design of my espadrilles?

Yes. You choose the size of the base, stitching style, color, and type of laces. The workshop offers more than 100,000 possible combinations.

Are shoe upgrades included?

No. Upgrades to a wedge, heel, or platform are not included in the listed price.

Can pickup from the cruise port be arranged?

Yes. Pickup from the cruise port can be organized if needed.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.