Bonaire
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Bonaire - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Bonaire Marine Park
The Bonaire Marine Park, founded in 1979 to protect the island's most precious natural resource, covers an area of less than 700 acres and includes all the waters around the island from the high-water mark to the 60-meter depth. Because it has so zealously protected its marine environment, Bonaire offers an amazing diversity of underwater life. Turtles, rays, and fish of every imaginable color abound in the pristine waters of the park. Several well-enforced rules include: (1) pay the annual Nature Fee, and attach the yellow tag you receive to an item of scuba gear; (2) no spearfishing; (3) no dropping anchor; and (4) no touching, stepping on, or collecting coral. Checkout dives—dives you do first with a master before going out on your own—are required, and you can arrange them through any dive shop. All dive operations offer classes in free buoyancy control, advanced buoyancy control, and photographic buoyancy control.
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2. Cadushy Distillery and Gardens
This distillery in the tiny village of Rincon produces some of the most distinctive cactus-based spirits in the Caribbean, including vodka, gin, and several special blends dedicated to each Dutch Caribbean Island as well the original Spirit of Bonaire liqueur. The company also makes an acclaimed award-winning top-shelf rum called Rom Rincón, and a special whiskey dedicated to the pioneer of dive tourism, the late Captain Don Stewart. Sample all the fine sprits (and cocktails made with them) in a lovely tropical tasting garden and learn all about the process on-site. You can also purchase bottles to take home.
Kaya C. D. Crestian, Rincón, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire599-701–7011Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. -
3. Mangazina di Rei Cultural Park
Built around the second-oldest stone structure on Bonaire, this cultural park a few miles before Rincón provides a fascinating insight into the island's history. The museum commands an excellent view of the surrounding countryside and contains artifacts tracing the often hard lives of the early settlers. Numerous structures built around the museum illustrate how living conditions have changed over the years. The park is usually filled with island schoolkids learning how to use traditional musical instruments and how to cook local foods. The last Saturday of each month features a cultural market. Enjoy local food and purchase crafts while listening to island music. Arrive early for the best selection of treats.
Kaya Rincón z/n, Rincón, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire599-786–2101Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Sat.–Mon. -
4. Rincón
Rincón is the oldest town in the ABC islands, originally a Spanish settlement that was cradled in a valley in the interior to escape detection of pirates from the sea. Once the Dutch took over, it became the settlement where enslaved peoples were allowed to live, work the farms, and commute the long trek to work the salt pans in the south. Today, Rincón is considered the cultural cradle on Bonaire, and the resident Rinconeros even have their own flag and anthem. Dia di Rincon, held on April 30, is a popular cultural festival that welcomes all to celebrate the town's colorful spirit, music, dance, and food. In 2023, a new regular event called “Marshe di Rincón” began, now drawing more visitors to the historic town with free shuttles from the South Pier for the street festival of local food, music, dance, handmade products, and fun. It takes place from 10 am to 4 pm whenever a cruise ship is in port.
Rincón, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
5. Rooi Lamoenchi Kunuku
Museum VillageOwner Ellen Herrera restored her family's homestead north of Lac Bay, in the Bonairean kadushi (cactus) wilderness, to educate tourists and residents about the history and tradition of authentic kunuku living and to show unspoiled terrain in two daily tours. You must make an appointment in advance and expect to spend a couple of hours.
Kaya Suiza 23, , Bonaire599-717–8489Sight Details
Rate Includes: $21 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Salt Pans
Rising like mountains of snow towering over lakes of pink-hued water, Bonaire's salt pans are hard to miss. Harvested once a year, the "ponds" are owned by Cargill, Inc., which has reactivated the 19th-century solar salt industry with great success. Look in the distance across the pans to the abandoned solar saltworks that is now a designated flamingo sanctuary. With the naked eye you might be able to make out a pink-orange haze just on the horizon. This sanctuary is completely protected, no entrance is allowed, and it is one of the world's largest flamingo populations and breeding grounds. The flamingo is Bonaire's national symbol.
South Bonaire, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
7. 1,000 Steps
Directly across the road from the Radio Nederland towers on the main road north, you'll see a short yellow marker that points to the location of these limestone stairs carved right out of the cliff. They lead to a lovely coral beach and protected cove where you can snorkel and dive. Although there are really only 67 steps, it feels like there are 1,000 of them when you walk back up carrying scuba gear.
Queen's Hwy., Rincón, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
8. Barcadera Cave
CaveOnce used to trap goats, Barcadera is one of the oldest caves in Bonaire. It's the first sight along the northern route; watch closely for a yellow marker on your left before you reach the towering Radio Nederland antennas. Pull off across from the entrance to the Bonaire Caribbean Club, and you can discover some stone steps that lead down into a cave full of stalactites and vegetation. It's best to hire a local guide to traverse any cave in Bonaire. Hans from Outdoor Bonaire is an expert in caving in Bonaire.
Kaya Barcadera, , n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
9. Boca Slagbaai
Inside Washington Slagbaai National Park, this popular snorkel and dive site has interesting offshore coral gardens that are good for snorkeling. Bring scuba boots or canvas sandals to walk into the water, because the beach is rough on bare feet. The gentle surf makes it an ideal place for swimming and picnicking. Sunday is a lively time, when locals come to picnic. Amenities: parking; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.
Off main park road, Washington Slagbaai National Park, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
10. Flamingo Adventure Golf
While driving toward Sorobon from downtown, you will no doubt suddenly come upon things like the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, King Kong, and a pirate ship. Don't worry. You’re not hallucinating. Rather, you’ve just stumbled upon Bonaire’s big, quirky, miniature-golf complex—and it’s not only for kids. In addition to delicious snacks like Dutch pancakes, it also has a great bar with killer cocktails and two hot tubs in which you can soak for an extra fee.
Kaminda Lac, Kralendijk, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire599-786–7857Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
11. Gotomeer
Bonaire is one of the few places in the world where pink flamingos nest and this saltwater lagoon near the island's northern end is one of their favorite places to hang out; there are about 15,000 of them in Bonaire (almost as many as the number of human residents). January to June is the best time to see these shy, spindly-leg creatures as they stick around to tend to their gray-plumed babies. Take the paved road along the lagoon to the parking and observation area for great views of the lagoon and Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Kaminda Goto, Rincón, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
12. Kralendijk
Bonaire's small, tidy capital city (population just over 3,000) is five minutes from the airport. The main drag, J. A. Abraham Boulevard, turns into Kaya Grandi in the center of town. Along it are most of the island's major stores, boutiques, restaurants, cafés, and bars, the post office, and the tourism office. Parallel to it along the waterfront, is Kaya J.N.E. Craane, with a cement promenade along the coast on one side and flanked by restaurants, cafés, little boutiques, and new apartment complexes on the other. Cruise ships dock steps from here. This is where you’ll find historic little Ft. Orange with its cannons aimed squarely at the cruise ships of the South Pier. Smack in the middle is Wilhelmina Park, a public square where the pop-up arts and crafts festivals take place, and where you can find benches and welcome shade thanks to the numerous tall trees. The entire main downtown district is a flat, easily walkable grid.
Kralendijk, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
13. Seru Largu
Just off the main road, this spot, at 394 feet in elevation, is one of the highest on the island. A paved but narrow and twisting road leads to a magnificent daytime view of Kralendijk's rooftops and the island of Klein Bonaire. A large cross and figure of Christ stand guard at the peak, with an inscription reading ayera (yesterday), awe (today), and semper (always). Many locals make their daily hike up the hill for a vigorous workout.
Rincón, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
14. Slave Huts
The salt industry's history is revealed in Rode Pan, the site of two groups of tiny slave huts. The white huts are on the right side of the road, opposite the salt flats; the second grouping, called the red slave huts, stretches across the road toward the island's southern tip. During the 19th century, enslaved people worked the salt pans by day and slept in the cramped huts. Each Friday afternoon they walked many hours to Rincón to spend the weekend with their families, returning each Sunday. The Red Slave area is a popular dive spot during low wind and calm seas. When the wind is strong and waves prevail, the local windsurf posse heads to Red Slave to catch the swell.
South Bonaire, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire -
15. Windsock Beach
Near the airport (just off E.E.G. Boulevard), this pretty little spot by the Grand Windsock resort looks out toward the north side of the island and has about 200 yards of white sand along a rocky shoreline. It's a popular dive and snorkel site, and swimming conditions are good. You can dine at Grand Windsock Bonaire's restaurant and bar, or picking up tasty bites at the Kite City Food Truck. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.
Off E.E.G. Blvd., Belnem, n/a Bonaire, Bonaire
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