Bon Dia! This greeting welcomes you to the tropical world Bonaire, a piece of The Netherlands in the Caribbean. Bonaire is together with Aruba en Curaçao part of the Netherlands Antilles, also called the ABC Islands. Even though the islands are fairly close together, they attract a different audience. Do you like snorkeling, diving, peace, nature and beautiful beaches? Then a holiday to Bonaire is something for you! In this article we share the most beautiful places that you should not miss.
- Flight tickets search and book TUI, KLM en Skyscanner.
- Rental cars : Sunnycars, Alamo en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in Bonaire you can book via GetYourGuide.
- Hotels & Resorts in Bonaire you can make a reservation at Booking.com.
Holiday Bonaire | 7x cool places to visit
1. Kralendijk
The capital of Bonaire is not to be missed and is the pleasant, colorful center of the island. Start by visiting Fort Orange (Location here), a well-preserved historic fortress. Then walk along Kaya Grandi (Location here), a cheerful street with all kinds of shops, restaurants and cafes.
There are so many dining options, from local cuisine to Mexican. Some of the highlights are Karel's Beach Bar, Joe's, La Cantina en Bagel & Bloom. Stop by for a delicious ice cream Lucianos and enjoy the view over the harbour.
Are you looking for a good place in Kralendijk to watch the sunset? On Chachacha Beach (Location here) you can easily get into the water for snorkeling and it is the perfect place to relax at the end of the day.
2. Klein Bonaire
A holiday to Bonaire is not complete without a visit Little Bonaire. This uninhabited island is a maximum of 20 minutes by boat from Kralendijk. Simply take the water taxi or rent a boat / sloop yourself.
Klein Bonaire is still relatively undeveloped and that is a good thing, because many sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach here every year. You can enjoy fantastic snorkeling and diving around Klein Bonaire. As soon as you step into the sea, you are surrounded by fish and coral reefs a little further away.
Op No Name Beach, where you arrive by boat, it feels like paradise. The white sandy beach, turquoise sea and green dunes provide a tropical backdrop that you won't want to leave.
Tip: Bring snorkeling gear and water shoes, as there is sharp coral on some parts of the beach. A high factor sunscreen is also a must, because there is hardly any shade. If possible, take a small tent or parasol with you. And lots of bottled water and snacks!
3. Washington Slagbaai National Park
Do you like nature and racing in a 4×4 all-terrain vehicle? It Washington Slagbaai National Park is definitely a must-visit destination on Bonaire. You will find many cacti, divi divi trees, iguanas, birds of prey, parrots and flamingos. The park also has some beautiful beaches and good snorkeling spots such as wakaya!
It is a highlight of a visit to the park climbing the Brandaris, the highest peak of Bonaire. In about 1,5 hours you can hike to the top of the mountain, where breathtaking views of the rugged landscape and the Caribbean Sea await you.
In addition to its fascinating nature, Washington Slagbaai also has a lot of history. Remains of the rich history can be found at the locations, for example Mills en Slagbaai mouth. With your own rental car and a Stinapa Tag (entrance ticket) you can visit the park as often as you want.
4. Rincon
This is the oldest village on Bonaire, located between Kralendijk and the Washington Slagbaai NP. Here you can still see a lot of local culture and traditions such as Alta Mira Unjo, a beautiful historic church from 1827.
Another attraction near Rincon is the Posada para Mira (Location here), a place with great views and good food. How about goat stew, roast fish or iguana soup? Another fun thing to do is a guided tour Cadushy Distillery (Location here), where the famous Cadushy cactus liqueur is made. Of course including a tasting. In Rincon you can experience the real Bonaire and learn more about the history and culture of the island.
5. Salt Pier
If you drive south from Kralendijk, you will soon see large, white mountains looming. Here lies the Cargill salt factory where salt is extracted and transported. The salt pans of Bonaire are quite impressive, as is the salt pier (location here). There is active work going on here, so you see a lot of what is happening. There is regularly a huge ship at the pier, which transports the salt to other parts of the world.
In addition to being an interesting structure, the salt pier is also a great place for snorkeling and diving. You are almost guaranteed to see turtles here and with a bit of luck also squid, barracuda, moray eels and seahorses. If you follow the salt flats further south, you will drive past the clear sea, flamingos, white beaches, slave houses and flamingos.
6. Sorobon
Bonaire has so many nice places and beaches that it is sometimes difficult to choose where to go today. Sorobon Beach (Jibe City, location here) is one of those places in the east of Bonaire that you should not miss. This is a wonderful place to relax, swim and have a bite to eat.
There is almost always a cooling breeze on this side of the island, perfect for windsurfers. If you have never done this before, book a lesson, after which you can practice on your own. Previously you could also kitesurf here, but due to the increasing crowds and chaos, this is now possible on the beach in the southwest. Sorobon has a number of beach clubs with sun beds, you can easily stay here all day.
7. Lac Cai
A quieter beach then Lac Caic (Location here) you probably don't think so. You get there by following a dirt road for about 20 minutes. Along the way there is a good chance that you will encounter flamingos and cute donkeys. You can park at the end of the road. Besides a small restaurant and toilets, there is little, but that is precisely the charm of this place.
The kayak tours through the mangroves start from here, definitely recommended. During a guided tour you will learn everything about this special ecosystem and you will also go into the water for snorkeling.
Tip: On Sundays there are many locals here, you can enjoy delicious food and there is music!
On the left is a huge pile of shells, a local delicacy (now a protected species). Walk through the shallow water and along the mangroves to the stretch of white sandy beach. Usually there is no one there, or at most a handful of people. There is little shade, except between the mangrove trees, but there you will be bitten by mosquitoes. This is not the best place for snorkeling, but the idyllic location makes up for that.
Tip:: Want to discover more cool places on Bonaire? Then read:
What to do on Bonaire? † 18 sights, tips and must-sees
Practical Information
Transportation
On Bonaire there are several ways to explore the island. It is a popular choice
The price for a rental car depends on the type of car and insurance. Ask in advance about what is and is not included, because the roads are not very good in many places. On average you will pay around $50 to $70 USD per day.
Another option is to rent a scooter. This is useful if you drive short distances, for example from the center to one of the beautiful beaches of Bonaire. In addition to scooters, electric bicycles, golf carts, quads, motorcycles and e-scooters are also rented. Expect to pay around $25 to $40 USD per day. Bonaire is fairly quiet in terms of traffic, but there are a number of things you have to take into account, such as animals suddenly crossing and potholes in the road.
Accommodation
Bonaire is not a cheap destination, because you can easily spend 100 USD per overnight stay (for 2 people). The Caribbean island has several neighborhoods, each with its own unique atmosphere and characteristics.
Most accommodations are located in or near Kralendijk. Handy if you want to be close to shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. In the neighborhoods Lechi Beach en Hato (Location here) there are many diving resorts, villas and boutique hotels.
Would you rather be a bit out of the center with a nice view of Kralendijk? Then the neighborhood Santa Barbara (Location here) what for you. There are a handful of accommodations here, often on a smaller scale. Would you rather stay directly on one of the most beautiful beaches? Then look at the neighborhood White (Location here). Here are the more luxurious villas, resorts and apartments. Think about what is important to you and look for accommodation that meets your needs. Our recommendations:
• Ocean Breeze Boutique Hotel & Marina (click here)
• Aqua Viva Suites (click here)
• Buddy Dive Resort (click here)
• Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort (click here)
• Bloozz Resort Bonaire (click here)
• Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire (click here)
How do you get there?
There are direct flights from the Netherlands to Bonaire KLM en TUI Fly. Sometimes you have a short stopover on the way there, the way back or both, for example Curaçao. The average travel time to Bonaire is approximately 9 to 10 hours. For a return flight you pay an average of 600 to 900 euros per person.
Also read: Skyscanner | How to save (a lot of) money on flights | 2023 UPDATE
Upon arrival at Bonaire airport (Flamingo Airport) it won't take long before you're outside. Most accommodations will pick you up for free or for a fee. If you have reserved a rental car, you can pick it up directly at the airport. A taxi is also an option. Useful to know: during summer time on Bonaire it is 6 hours earlier and in winter it is 5 hours earlier.
Best time to travel
Bonaire is a good destination to visit all year round. The dry season runs from January to September. Temperatures are between 25°C and 35°C, with almost always a cooling trade wind. The wind is strongest around the months of June and July, ideal if you want to windsurf or kitesurf. The sea water is also nice and warm at about 28 °C.
There is more chance of rain in the months of October, November and December. Although in practice this is not too bad, most rain falls in the evening and morning. Bonaire falls outside the hurricane area, but if there is a hurricane in the area, it will affect the weather. For example, the roads can flood, making potholes no longer visible. The Washington Slagbaai park may also be (partially) closed due to difficult roads. Fortunately, the sun often shows itself again quickly. Bonaire is actually rarely hit by major storms.
Diving is possible all year round, even during the rainy season. Almost all diving sites are easy to reach, you can walk straight into the water from the shore. In some months a lot of sargassum seaweed washes up on the beaches of Bonaire, usually at Lac Cai. A lot is done to clean it up as quickly as possible, as it gets quite smelly in the scorching sun. The amount is different every year and quite unpredictable.
Also read: Discover the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world
