Landhuis Chobolobo is a restored early-nineteenth-century mansion in the Saliña district of Willemstad, and since 1947 it has been the production home of Senior and Co. Curaçao liqueur. The story starts with Spanish settlers who brought Valencia oranges around 1500; the dry climate and thin soil turned them into the laraha, a bitter, inedible green orange whose dried peel flavors the liqueur. Senior has used laraha to make Curaçao liqueur since 1896 and it is the only brand in the world that does so. The estate is open Monday to Friday and entry to walk around is free, but the real draw is the guided tour of about 45 to 60 minutes, which covers the mansion, the history and the process and ends with a tasting and a choice of one signature cocktail. Tours are offered in English, Dutch and Spanish at set times through the day, and the shop sells bottles of every color, not only blue.
Why go: the tour is as much about the island as the drink. You learn why the laraha is useless as a fruit but precious as a flavoring, see the stills and the barrels, and hear how the liqueur has been made on the island for well over a century. The cocktail at the end is made by bartenders on site, and the shop is the easiest place to buy a gift that is truly local. Note that the famous blue is a coloring, so do not expect the liqueur itself to taste of anything but orange.
How to book: the Viator listing for the guided tour carries a 4.5 rating from around 770 reviews, which makes it among the island's most reviewed experiences. The distillery runs on weekdays only, so check your days, as it is closed on weekends. Tours begin at 9, 10 and 11 in the morning and again at 1, 2 and 3 in the afternoon, and groups can fill up when cruise ships are in port, so reserve ahead and arrive a few minutes early.
Getting there and combining it: Chobolobo is on Elias Moreno Boulevard in Saliña, about a ten-minute bus ride from the Punda bus stop and a short taxi from the pontoon bridge. It pairs well with a morning in Punda, lunch in town and the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel synagogue, which is also open on weekday mornings. The tasting is generous, so plan to leave the car at your hotel or use a taxi. For travelers who want a longer experience, cocktail workshops and city-and-liqueur tours are also on offer, but the standard tour is the best fit for most visitors.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tour of the Landhuis Chobolobo mansion and distillery, ending with a liqueur tasting and one signature cocktail.
Best time
Weekday mornings are the calmest; the estate is closed at weekends, so plan your day around it.
How long
About 45 to 60 minutes for the tour, plus time in the shop.
Tips
Book ahead when cruise ships are in port, arrive a few minutes early and use a taxi or the bus if you plan to drink.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious first-timers, couples and anyone who wants a quick, flavorful lesson in Curaçao's history.
- Families
- Fine for older children as an educational stop, though the tasting is for adults.
- Couples
- A short and fun tasting experience before a long dinner in Pietermaai or Otrobanda.
- Pair with
- A morning in Punda, the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel synagogue and lunch in the old town.
- Time needed
- An hour for the tour, or a relaxed two hours with shopping.
Good questions
Is the distillery open at weekends?+
No, the estate is open Monday to Friday during the day. Plan to visit on a weekday and confirm the tour times before you go.
What does the tour include?+
A guided visit of the mansion, the history of the laraha orange and the distilling process, finishing with a tasting and one signature cocktail. Tours run about 45 to 60 minutes.
Is it worth it if I do not drink?+
The history and the mansion are interesting on their own, and walking around the estate is free. The tasting and cocktail are the main extras for those who drink.
Why is the liqueur blue?+
The blue is a coloring and the flavor comes from the dried peel of the bitter laraha orange. The same liqueur is also made in clear, orange and other colors.
How do I get there?+
It is on Elias Moreno Boulevard in Saliña, about ten minutes by bus from Punda or a short taxi ride from the old town.
