12 Best Sights in Bonaire

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 Rincón, held on April 30, is a popular cultural festival that welcomes all to celebrate the town's colorful spirit, music, dance, and food.

This distillery in the tiny village of Rincón 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 spirits (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.

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.

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 called Nos Zjilea. Enjoy local food and purchase crafts while listening to island music. Arrive early for the best selection of treats.

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 over 10,000 of them in Bonaire. 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.  It is recommended that you visit the site through a tour operator to minimize disturbance to the flamingoes trying to nest.

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.

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.

Once 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 Caribbean Club Bonaire, where you'll find some stone steps down into a cave full of stalactites and vegetation.

To explore the island's caves, it's best to hire a local guide; contact Flow Bonaire (www.flowbonaire.com/adventures/caving).

Inside Washington Slagbaai National Park, this popular snorkel and dive site has interesting offshore coral gardens. Bring scuba boots or canvas sandals to walk into the water, because the beach is rough on bare feet. The gentle surf also makes it an ideal place for swimming and picnicking. During weekends, limited overnight camping opportunities can be reserved through STINAPA ( stinapabonaire.org). Amenities: parking; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

Bonaire's small capital city (population just over 10,000) 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, apartment complexes, and a few small resorts and vacation rentals on the other. Cruise ships dock steps from here. This is where you’ll find historic little Ft. Oranje 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.

At 394 feet in elevation, Seru Largu is one of the highest hills 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. On New Year's Eve, locals gather here for the best view of the fireworks.

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.