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Fast Facts About Bonaire
Capital
Kralendijk
Currency
US Dollar
Population
24,090
Language
English and Dutch
Timezone
GMT – 4
Flight Duration
9 hours via Amsterdam
Bonaire is known primarily as a spectacular dive site, ringed by a series of offshore reefs. Diving Freedom Bonaire is an award winning diving destination that accommodates every skill level, from beginner to advanced diver. There are 63 official dive sites on Bonaire and 26 more on Klein Bonaire, of which 54 are shore dive sites. Bonaire is an underwater paradise that awaits you, with more than 350 fish species and 57 species of soft and stony coral.
But Bonaire is also a landlubber’s destination, with a developing art and dining scene, and a slew of land-based activities. In the main town, Kralendijk, visit Cinnamon Art Gallery, founded by a trio of artists or any number of fine restaurants featuring French, Italian, Argentine and creative cuisines. Still, Bonaire is a long way from becoming an urban mecca. Here, the flamingo population rivals the human one, building size is strictly limited, and the circumference of the island is a protected marine park.
Stones marked with the names of dive sites can be seen from the coastal roads and a ‘two minutes’ swim (literally) will reveal a reef teeming with marine life. Drive-through dive stations allow divers to refill their tanks before heading out to other alluring spots.
Amazing as the diving is, there’s much more to do on Bonaire. Sign up with the Mangrove Info and Kayak Center for a kayaking session through the pristine mangrove system – one of the few left in the world. Drive north up the west coast past a prime flamingo-viewing lake called Goto Mere. Spend a day in Washington-Slagbaai National Park amidst more than 13,000 acres of flora and fauna. See rock formations like Seru Bentana (Sky Window), and spot any number of birds and beasts at the Pos Mangel watering hole. The park has many beaches, some of which are very small.
Heading south down the east coast, visit the tiny village of Rincon. Catch the panorama from Seru Largu, a hilltop viewpoint. Drive south to the salt pans, signs of the salt industry that still thrives here. Just below the white mountains of salt rising from purple “lakes”, you’ll find the Flamingo Refuge. You can stand roadside and (very quietly) observe these elegant and shy creatures. Park yourself close by on Pink Beach, and at sunset you can see them lighting up the sky as they wing their way on their nightly trip to Venezuela.
Average Weather in Test Destination
Jan
27° C
Avg Rain:
52mm
Feb
27° C
Avg Rain:
25mm
Mar
27° C
Avg Rain:
19mm
Apr
28° C
Avg Rain:
27mm
May
29° C
Avg Rain:
22mm
Jun
29° C
Avg Rain:
25mm
Jul
29° C
Avg Rain:
38mm
Aug
29° C
Avg Rain:
33mm
Sep
30° C
Avg Rain:
30mm
Oct
29° C
Avg Rain:
94mm
Nov
28° C
Avg Rain:
106mm
Dec
27° C
Avg Rain:
96mm
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Amsterdam
9 hours
Airport: Flamingo International Airport. Located a short drive from Kralendijk, the capital.
Gateways/Flying Times: There are no direct flights from the UK, however KLM fly from Amsterdam (appr. 9 hours) . Service is also available via many US cities (appr. 4-5 hours)
Bonaire is accessible from Europe, Latin America, North America and the Caribbean. You can visit Bonaire by Air or by Cruise.
Europe
Direct flights from Europe come from Amsterdam with Arkefly or KLM they also serve as the gate way to other European Countries.
North America
Direct flights from the USA are available with United Airlines from Newark and Houston. Delta Airlines has direct flights from Atlanta. It is also possible to fly via Aruba or Curaçao to Bonaire. For complete routes and details please contact the airlines servicing Bonaire or your favourite booking agent.
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Things To Do In Bonaire
Sightseeing
While Bonaire is home to stunning natural habitats and wildlife, it is still a very small island. Keeping so much of the island and the surrounding seas pristine and untouched means fiercely protecting all of it.
Our devotion to protecting Bonaire affords you a unique opportunity to experience a tropical island like no other. Board a sunset cruise under our purple, tropical skies. Reconnect with nature at the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Take in the island’s stunning beauty on the Bara di Karta hiking trail. Explore our history and geography at the Mangazina di Rei Museum. You can even get to know some of the island’s native donkeys at our Donkey Sanctuary.
Local guides know the island better than anyone, and they’ll be more than happy to show you the best spots. They’ll also explain the island’s history, culture, birds, sea life and so much more. Because the island is so small, you can tour much of it by car, taxi or bus.
Of course, don’t forget your camera! With so much colourful wildlife and stunning scenery you won’t want to miss your chance to capture the magic and romance of the tropics.
Dining
For centuries, Bonaire has stood at the crossroads of the world, where sailing ships from every point on the compass arrived with goods to trade as well as their culinary traditions. To this day, our food retains the influences of the dishes that arrived aboard those ships, from the Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany to Colombia, China, Suriname, Indonesia and many others. In short, Bonaire is a food lover’s paradise, where restaurants put a unique Caribbean spin on many international dishes, pairing them with wines from all over the world.
There’s no better way to experience the soul of the Caribbean than to dine on Bonaire. Since we live on a tropical island, many of our dishes naturally feature fish in a dizzying array of combinations. You’ll also find local stews and soups featuring goat. Or iguana. Many of these recipes also include some of the few local fruits that grow on the island, including soursop, limes, mangoes, shimaruku (a local cherry) and a small brown fruit called mispel.
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