Bonaire Reisgids
Unfortunately, it now seems like an eternity ago, but until mid-July, these buttocks were still on the Dutch Antilles. And I can tell you: it was much better to be there than here. At the time of writing, it is finally a bit sunny, but let's be honest: otherwise, it was just — pardon my French — shit with pears. Summer in the Netherlands: woohoo.
No, just give me Bonaire. I was there for the first time and fell a little in love with the island. So wonderfully relaxed, friendly people, beautiful beaches and sunsets, mega delicious food, and fun to go touring. I did that myself with a scooter, but you can also easily do it with a car.
Now I have previously made a list of the coolest hotspots in Bonaire, you can find that here. Today I am going to give you more tips on what to do on the island and where you want to sleep. And in the meantime, I will think about when I can go back there, because I would really like that now.
What do you want to do in Bonaire?
As I said, I rented a scooter, which I personally found ideal. A car is also possible, but not a must. Unless you want to go to Washington Slagbaai National Park (in the north of the island), you need a four-wheel drive to get in. And that brings me to the next point.
Washington Slagbaai National Park
Yes, you really want to visit the park. You can swim there, driving around is incredibly beautiful (with very nice viewpoints), and if you want to spot flamingos, it's absolutely great. Fun fact: the route there is also very nice; I did it myself once with the scooter.
Thousand Steps
A small, beautiful beach and no worries: it’s not really a thousand steps. The water here is often incredibly clear and it’s an ideal place to snorkel and/or dive.
Klein Bonaire
You don’t want to miss a day at Klein Bonaire when you’re on this island. The best part is (when you’re with a group) to rent a boat and sail there yourself. Then you also have a bit more freedom in terms of times and how long you want to stay. Think of: tropical beaches, the most beautiful fish, water that is unbelievably clear, and a lot of sunscreen because you will burn alive here.
Donkey Sanctuary
A bit of an animal lover wouldn’t want to miss this, of course. The owner is extremely passionate about ‘her’ donkeys, and it’s really fun to spend an afternoon here. You’ll find more than 600 (!) donkeys, and you can pet them and feed them. Plus, you also support them with your entrance ticket.
Slave Houses
You’ll find these houses along the sea, by the white salt mountains. This is where the slave workers who worked in the salt pans used to sleep. They are really tiny houses, so it’s really bizarre to imagine that sometimes entire families slept here.
The low spots of Bonaire
Vacation always equals good food for me, and even though I previously mentioned the hotspots of Bonaire, you also have the low spots. And I’ve eaten just as well there. So here are some extra tips where you might not be at the trendiest spots, but you eat incredibly well.
Stoked Foodtruck
At a very nice spot by the sea, you can order the tastiest grilled dishes here. Fish, meat, and vegetarian: everything is so delicious. Bring a blanket, some cold beers (bring your own), and just enjoy.
King Kong Burger
This food truck doesn’t stay open late, so the best time to go is during lunch. A hefty lunch (maybe skip breakfast…), but you don’t want to miss these burgers. So juicy. Delicious.
Where to sleep in Bonaire
Even though Bonaire is a small island, it has quite a few accommodation options. On one hand, that’s great, but you want to have a pleasant stay, and sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. Therefore, here are my two favorite hotels, where you are guaranteed a top stay.
Harbour Village
This resort is so nicely decorated, as if it’s really a kind of village. Additionally, it has a private beach, including hammocks and sunbeds. To be honest: I actually didn’t leave the resort for a day because I was so comfortable there. It’s also great for snorkeling here, by the way, because you see an incredible amount of fish and it’s not too crowded.
Bamboo Bonaire
As a big Bali lover, I felt right at home here. You have different cottages (I had the Honeymoon Sweet and yes, you want that too), with, for example, a private jacuzzi or a private pool, or a barbecue in your own little garden. So nice. They also have a communal pool. If you go here, make sure to reserve in time at their restaurant Chefs: one of the best restaurants in Bonaire and always full. There’s only space for about twelve people, so that’s not surprising. But you definitely want to dine here.
