About the Island of Bonaire
The soft-spoken sibling of beachy Aruba and cosmopolitan Curaçao, Bonaire is endowed with a pristine desert landscape surrounded by a rhapsody of blue – and a population of 14,000 eco-sensitive residents determined to keep it that way. The island has typically attracted divers to its thriving reef (one of the world’s first designated marine parks), but a new flock of travelers is arriving to explore its hilly and arid topside. Marked trails lead to caves and lakes, rocky hillsides give mountain bikers a thrill, and outdoorsy types delve into Washington Slagbaai National Park, a 14,000-acre sanctuary for Caribbean parakeets, flamingos and iguanas. Kralendijk, Bonaire’s capital, now pulses at a quickened pace, particularly along the waterside promenade, and the formerly introverted island hub now manages to stay awake past 10 p.m. These new developments have precipitated a subtle sophistication, so visitors might want to pack something smart along with their T-shirts and flip-flops.
Related Content
The north and south shores have scuba diving and snorkeling spots for all skill levels
If the Caribbean had a national sport, it might be drinking. Find out which watering holes are serving your favourite contenders and what makes them so delicious...if the barkeeps will tell you.
