Bonaire

Bonaire Flag

"Diver's Paradise"

Why visit Bonaire?

Ideal for the avid diver and outdoor nature lovers wanting adventure sports, beaches, bird watching, caves, cliffs, coral reefs, deep sea fishing, desert landscape, diving, eco adventures,  hiking, horseback riding, kiteboarding, mountain biking, relaxation, snorkeling, underwater life, sailing, wildlife, windsurfing and yachting.

Photo Credit: Pixbay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Aloe products, driftwood goods, framed prints, glass artwork, salt products
• Local Cuisine to Try: Banana Hasa (fried plantain). Guiambo (soup). Kokada (coconut candy). Pastechis (stuffed pastries). Pika Siboyo (condiment). Sopi di Yuwana (iguana soup).
• Local Drink to Try: Cadushy (liquor). Captain Don's Whiskey. Koamati Tequila. Rom Rincon (spirit). Salu Gin. Tekibon (spirit).

History

• In 1499, Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci arrived and claimed for Spaniards.
  
• In 1636, the Dutch took possession of the island.
• In 1863, slaves were emancipated.
  
• In 1951, the first hotel opened, Hotel Zeebad.
  
• In 1984, Hilma Hooker, cargo ship was confiscated for 25,000 lbs of marijuana and sank.

Fun Facts

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) identified around 365 species within their waters.
  
• An estimated 15,000 Flamingos are counted every year.
  
• Hurricane Felix did hit the island in 2007.

Photo Credit: jimimages/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Carnival, International & Local Fishing, Maskarada, (February) Harvest Festival, Simadan Festival (June) Dive Festival, Dive Into Adventure Bonaire, Wave Challenge (July) Bonaire Arts Day, (September) Blessing of the Fishing Fleet, Fishing Tournaments,  (October) Duo Xtreme Mountain Bike Race, International Sailing Regatta, Sailing Regatta, and (December) Bari Festival.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Queen's Birthday & Rinc, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Bonaire Flag Day, Antillean Day, Kingdom Day, and Christmas Day.

Good to Know

• Not a beach resort destination, considering it has few small beaches and not great for walking.
• The entire coastline is declared as a marine sanctuary.
• Spearfishing is prohibited.
• Raised donkeys, goats, pigs and sheep are known to freely roam around.
• Crystal clear waters make for a diver's paradise with visibility to 150 feet.
• More than 185 miles of mountain bike trails and paths.
  
• Dive gloves are not permitted in effort to protect the coral reefs.
• Vessels moor rather than drop anchor to preserve coral and marine life.
• Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and inspections do not commonly occur. 
• Medical care and treatment does not meet our Western standards.
• Prevalent Diseases: Dengue & Zika Virus.
• Right turns at red stop lights is not permitted.
• Public minibuses are inexpensive and run nonstop during the day with no fixed schedule.

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 180 days.

Hurricane Season is June - November. 

Fortunately, situated outside the Hurricane Belt, rarely directly impacted.

• Coolest Season: January
• Humid & Hottest: May - October
• Peak Season: November - April
  
• Shoulder Season: May - October

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: Landhuis Karpata, Misha's Bridge, Rooi Lamoenchi Kunuku Park, Trans World Radio & Washikemba Manor.
• Museums: Bonaire Museum of Natural History, Museo Boneiru, Museo Chich'i Tan & Musée Terramar de Kralendijk.
• Popular Attractions: Aletta’s Goat Farm, Bachelor's Beach, Bari Reef, Barcadera Cave, Bonaire Marine Park, Brandaris, Cargill Salt Pans, Coral Casino Bonaire, Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire, Dos Pos, Flamingo Sanctuary, Fort Oranje, Klein Bonaire, Kralendijk, Lac Bay, La Machaca, Mangazina di Rei Cultural Park, Mount Brandaris, Rincon, Pekelmeer Lagoon, Playa Chikitu, Playa Funchi , Sorobon Beach, Tanki Maraka Heritage Park, The Bonaire Botanical Garden, Thousand Steps, Washington Slagbaai National Park and Willemstoren. 

Kralendijk, Bonaire. Photo Credit: falco/Pixabay 

My industry designation earned as a Caribbean Specialist combined with our local connections with Cruise Lines, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Airlines, Villa Rental Companies, Adventure Travel providers and Limo companies will offer you Exclusive Benefits that you won't be able to achieve on your own. Such as: Complimentary Breakfast for Two Daily, Dining or Resort Credit, Spa Treatment, Airport Transfer, or other privileges. Even Room Upgrades, Early Check-In and Late Check-Out when available. 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

Stay connected, find us online: Alignable Facebook  LinkedIn  Pinterest  Twitter 

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.