Bonaire

Key facts

• Region: The Caribbean
• Sovereignty: Non-sovereign territory administered by the Netherlands
• Capital: Kralendijk
• Currency: US dollar (USD), adopted on 1 January 2011
• Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento and English
• Main airport: BON — Flamingo International Airport, near Kralendijk
• Best time to visit: December to April; Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt and is a year-round dive destination, with the driest, calmest conditions early in the year

Overview

Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands and one of the ABC islands, lying about 80 km north of Venezuela. It is a low, arid island ringed by fringing coral reef, and it is widely regarded as one of the Caribbean's leading shore-diving destinations. The surrounding water is largely protected as a marine park, and the island uses the US dollar.

Airports

Flamingo International Airport (BON) is Bonaire's only airport, located just south of Kralendijk, the capital. It receives nonstop flights from the United States, the Netherlands, and neighbouring islands, but overall service is more limited than on Aruba or Curaçao.

Main cities

Kralendijk is the capital and main town, with the waterfront, cruise pier, and most shops and restaurants. Rincon, in the north, is the island's oldest settlement, and hosts the annual Rincon Day and Bari festival. Noord, Nikiboko, and Antriol are the main residential districts between the capital and the northern coast.

Places to go

The Bonaire National Marine Park covers the entire coastline, and shore dives such as 1,000 Steps, Karpata, Oil Slick Leap, and the Hilma Hooker wreck are well known. Klein Bonaire, a small uninhabited islet offshore, offers easy reef access and frequent turtle sightings. Washington Slagbaai National Park occupies the rugged northwest, containing Brandaris Hill, the island's highest point, and the saliñas where flamingos feed. Lac Bay on the east coast, with Sorobon, is a shallow windsurfing and mangrove area. The salt flats and Gotomeer lake attract flamingos, and the salt pier of the southern salt works is a popular dive site.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Bonaire, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked