2 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 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.

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.