Enjoy Bonaire!
Bonaire is a relatively small island, about 45 km long and at most 12 km wide, located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 70 km off the coast of Venezuela. Together with Saba and St. Eustatius (the BES islands), Bonaire has been a special municipality of the Netherlands since October 2010. Dutch is the primary language on the island, and Papiamento is the second language. However, English and Spanish are also widely spoken due to the diverse range of nationalities residing on Bonaire.
The atmosphere on Bonaire is decidedly relaxed. As soon as you step off the plane, you’ll notice that no one is in a hurry, there’s no rush, and there are no traffic lights. The people are extremely friendly and welcoming. It’s the perfect recipe for a laid-back vacation!
The capital of Bonaire is Kralendijk, a charming town with colorful, often historic, buildings. It has a variety of shops, plenty of bars, outdoor cafes, and excellent restaurants. The currency used is the US dollar. Currency exchange is available at banks, and ATMs are widely accessible.
Public transportation on Bonaire is minimal to non-existent. There are some buses running between Kralendijk and Rincon, but they don’t operate on a fixed schedule. Although the island is relatively small, it’s recommended to rent a car, scooter, or bicycle to get around.
The best Activities
On the water
Due to the almost always present trade winds and the pleasant water temperature, Bonaire is a paradise for windsurfers, kitesurfers, and sailors. For surfers, the beaches of Sorobon are the perfect spot, where major international surfing championships are regularly held. Kitesurfers find their ideal location on the southwest coast near the salt pans, and sailors can be seen all around the island. Every October, the big Bonaire Regatta takes place, attracting sailors from all over the world.
There are many providers offering sailing trips, often combined with visits to various snorkeling locations, along with good food and drinks on board.
Kayaking is possible in the mangrove area of Lac Bay, also in combination with snorkeling. You can also enjoy kayaking along the tranquil west coast of the island.
Onshore activities
Renting a car or scooter is a great way to discover Bonaire’s many different faces:
- Visit the rugged Washington Slagbaai National Park with its rocky mountains, blowholes, bays and snorkel beaches.
- Observe the wild ocean on the island’s east side.
- Pay a visit to the flamingo sanctuary at Lake Goto.
- Drive through the wonderful protected area of Lac Bay with its mangroves, beaches at Sorobon and the beach of Lac Cai where you can enjoy local food and music on Sundays.
- Cruise along the salt marshes and nearby kite beaches.
- Experience the historic Spanish town of Rincon.
- Wander through Bonaire’s cozy capital Kralendijk with its wonderful historic buildings, trendy shops, hip bars and restaurants.
For hikers and cyclists, various beautiful routes have been established on the island, and horseback riding (including swimming with the horses) is also a fun activity to do on Bonaire.
Under the water
Bonaire is also known as Diver’s Paradise, and the underwater world is truly unique. Bonaire is the world’s number one shore diving destination, with numerous dive schools and many companies that organize diving trips. But even without a scuba tank, you can enjoy the Bonaire National Marine Park in many places with just a snorkel.
Stunning coral reefs filled with fish, crustaceans, and turtles can be found in many locations along the west coast, in Washington Slagbaai, and on the nearby small nature island of Klein Bonaire. Water taxis to Klein Bonaire operate from various points, but it’s also possible to rent a boat and dock at the island yourself.
Want to visit bonaire?
Click the button below to make a reservation in our booking system.
Alternatively, you can send an email to reservations@redpalmvillage.com.
To make a reservation at our restaurant, call +599 700 3978 or email info@redpalmvillage.com.
The restaurant can be reached from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Bonaire time.