Bonaire is a paradise in the Caribbean where you can enjoy beautiful beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and amazing nature. It’s the calmest of the ABC islands and small enough to give off a village vibe, yet big enough to explore in a few days to about a week. In this article, I’ll share my favorite spots on this beautiful island, along with helpful tips and highlights you shouldn’t miss.
Things to do on Bonaire
Kayak in the Mangroves and Spot Flamingos
Start your day with a visit to the mangroves at Lac Cai Beach. Here you can enjoy a peaceful morning kayaking session.
Several companies, including Windows to the Sea Kayaking, Mangrove Center, and Royal Tours, offer tours that last a few hours. With a guide, you’ll paddle through the water in two-person kayaks at a nice, relaxed pace. Along the way, you’ll cruise through mangrove tunnels and stop to snorkel. Snorkel gear is included, allowing you to explore the unique underwater life among the mangrove roots. One of the coolest parts? You might even spot a few sea turtles!
Some tours offer pickup from your accommodation for a fee, but you can also drive yourself to Lac Cai Beach. The road is quite bumpy, and after a rain also a bit muddy, so a car that is high on its wheels or a 4×4 is handy. On the way to the beach you might spot a group of flamingos in their natural habitat. So cool to see!
Ezeltjes aaien in het Donkey Sanctuary
Surprisingly, there are a lot of donkeys living on Bonaire, and you’ll sometimes see them grazing by the roadside. In the 17th century, donkeys were brought to Bonaire to do heavy labor and help out at the salt pans. When machines took over their jobs, many donkeys were left to fend for themselves. Now, at the Donkey Sanctuary, they’re given a safe home where they’re cared for and can live in peace.
Visiting the park is definitely recommended. You can drive through it in your own car and stop whenever you like. If you keep your windows open, the donkeys will curiously approach you and are happy to be fed and petted. At the kiosk where you buy your entrance ticket, you can also purchase some food for them. It’s super fun, and you’re supporting a good cause at the same time!
Admire the salt pans
The salt pans are a photogenic spot on Bonaire. The sea and the massive mountains of salt create a surreal view. And as a bonus: you’ll often spot flamingos wandering around! It’s especially fun to drive by and snap some photos if you’re already in the area. There’s not much else to do there, but the scenery is definitely unique!
Relax at Sorobon Beach
Sorobon Beach is a great place for a relaxing afternoon by the water. This beach at Lac Bay is known for its shallow, crystal-clear water and constant breeze, making it an ideal spot for windsurfers. Even if you’re not getting on the water, it’s lovely to unwind here with your feet in the soft sand. There are several beach bars lined up where you can rent sunbeds, grab a bite to eat, or enjoy a drink.
At the beach bars, there isn’t much sand to lie on directly, so you’ll likely be using a sunbed. A bit farther north, you’ll find a nearly deserted stretch of beach where you can enjoy the sun and sea in peace, without many other people around.
Explore the Washington Slagbaai National Park
The Washington Slagbaai National Park in the north is a must-see if you want to explore nature on Bonaire. But be aware: you’ll need a jeep to drive through it properly. Hiking is also possible, but it’s quite tough due to the heat and lack of shade. There are a few hiking trails you can follow.
Along the way, you’ll see various birds (like the caracara), iguanas, lizards, and sometimes goats and donkeys. By car, you can visit several beautiful beaches. Swimming isn’t allowed at the beaches on the eastern side of the park, but it’s often possible on the western side. It’s recommended to go in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day.
After visiting the park, you can head to Rincón, the oldest village on Bonaire, for lunch. At Posada Para Mira, you can try local dishes, such as various stews or meals with goat or iguana. Pro tip: the croquette is filled with iguana ragout!
Snorkeling at 1000 Steps Beach
This beach is truly picture-perfect and my favorite spot on Bonaire: white sand, turquoise water, and a colorful underwater world. And don’t worry—the stairs down to the beach definitely aren’t 1,000 steps! Snorkeling here is fantastic, with lots of fish and sometimes even a sea turtle!
The beach is made up of coral and small stones, so water shoes are recommended. There are a few shady spots, but it’s best to bring something to protect yourself from the sun just in case. There are no facilities, so make sure to bring enough water and snacks.
A day to Klein Bonaire
Off the coast of Bonaire lies the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. Here you’ll find powdery white beaches and a crystal-clear blue sea just like the ones you see in travel brochures. The Epic water taxi departs several times a day from Nautico Marina in Kralendijk or from Buddy Dive Resort for $25 round trip. The ride takes about half an hour and is super relaxed. The taxi returns every two hours, and you can decide on the spot when you want to head back.
Note: there are no facilities on Klein Bonaire, so no restrooms or restaurants. Bring plenty of food and drinks, and you can easily spend half a day or even a full day relaxing here. Don’t forget your snorkel gear—the coral reef around Klein Bonaire is amazing! If you don’t have your own, you can also rent some from the water taxi.
Take a walk along the boulevard of Kralendijk
End your day with a stroll along the boulevard of Kralendijk and you’ll instantly feel the calm and laid-back vibe of Bonaire. It’s super peaceful, and sometimes you’ll see local fishermen working in their boats. There are also a few nice swimming spots, like between the floating docks of the Barracuda Sea Pool, where you might even catch a game of water polo being played.
In the evening, it slowly gets a little more crowded as you get close to the center. The sun setting and filling the sky with beautiful colors. Highly recommended!
Where to stay in Bonaire
The nicest accommodations are located in Kralendijk, the capital of the island. It’s the center of the island, where you’ll find a nice mix of restaurants, stores and cozy cafes. Kralendijk has a relaxed atmosphere, and you have everything within easy reach. Despite being the capital, it is never really very busy and the nightlife is quite limited.
Other places where you will also find accommodations are in Sorobon in the south, or in Santa Barbara north of Kralendijk.
Practical tips for Bonaire
Rent a car: Renting a car is pretty much a must if you want to explore the island. There’s no public transportation and taxis are also scarce. Luckily, driving here is super relaxed: little traffic and a calm driving style. A handy tip we got: don’t leave anything in the car and don’t lock it. Sounds strange, but it even happens that a friendly local will turn off your car lights if you accidentally left them on!
Stinapa Nature Fee for the parks and beaches: To access the nature parks and to snorkel or dive on Bonaire, you need to pay the Stinapa Nature Fee. This is a mandatory contribution for nature conservation on the island. You can pay the fee online via the official website or at certain points of sale on Bonaire.
Tourist tax: Upon arrival in Bonaire, you’ll need to pay a tourist tax (Visitor Entry Tax). This fee is charged per person per stay and can be paid online in advance via the official website or upon arrival at the airport.
You pay with dollars on Bonaire: On Bonaire, you pay with US dollars ($). Most places accept credit cards, but it’s useful to have some cash on hand for small expenses.
SIM card for the ABC islands: Planning to drive around a lot and want to have internet? Buy a Digicel SIM card at the Digicel store in Kralendijk. If you’re planning to travel on to Aruba or Curaçao, you can keep using the same SIM card!
Best time to visit Bonaire
The best time to visit Bonaire is from January to June, when there is the least rainfall. The temperature stays around 30°C year-round. From June to December, there is typically more rain, and there’s a higher chance of tropical storms in the Caribbean.
Combine your trip with Curaçao
Want to visit another island? From Bonaire, you can fly to Curaçao in just half an hour. There are several flights a day with EZAir or BIA, so the islands are easy to combine in one trip.
