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The
car tags say it all, "Divers Paradise". An island
that almost exclusively caters to scuba diving enthusiasts,
Bonaire is covered with cacti and scrub bush along with wild
goats and donkeys thrown in for good measure.
 In
contrast, underwater Bonaire is truly spectacular. The corals
are beautiful and healthy and there's an abundance of fish life,
thanks to the foresight of the government. Because the waters
around Bonaire are designated as an official marine park and
have been protected for more than 20 years, diving Bonaire is
like diving the Caribbean the way it used to be - untouched
and unspoiled.
The Wall, sometimes vertical, sometimes sloping, starts just
a few feet from shore. Bonaire is the perfect place for shore
diving and most shore dive sites are marked by large yellow
rocks with the name of the site stenciled on them.
More than 60 dive sites are accessible by shore, making Bonaire
one of the the most enjoyable dive destinations.
When visiting, spend time touring the island. You'll see salt
flats, a beautiful "pink beach", an old lighthouse,
slave huts, Washington National Park, a wildlife preserve and
great spot for seeing animal species unique to Bonaire, pink
flamingos, beautiful Parroquets, lorets, big blue lizards and
three foot iguanas. Lac Bay, on the windward side of the island,
has some of the best windsurfing in the world.
The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid
climate with little rain fall; consequently, the waters are
exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and diveable year round.
It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers.
Climate 75 - 85F 24 - 29C
Water Temp 78 - 86F 25.6-28.9C
Visibility Average 100+ ft. 30+ m |
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Accommodations
and Services
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Bonaire
Vacation Rentals
Kaya Statius van Eps 9
Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles
Tel.:
(599) 717 -2108, (599) 717-8405, (599) 717-6105
Fax.: (599) 717-8193
E-Mail: info@bonairevacationrentals.com
Web: http://www.bonairevacationrentals.com
Bonaire
Vacation Rentals is a combination of 3 mini resorts in the
quiet residential area Belnem on Bonaire and offering fully
equipped vacation homes - studios, apartments, villas - and
joining efforts to guarantee affordable rates, personal attention
and privacy for your next diving vacation.
Den
Laman
Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 77
Bonaire, Netherlands, Antilles
Tel.: 800-382-1094
Fax.: 954-351-9740
E-Mail: denlaman@diveres.com
Web: http://www.denlaman.com
Condominium offering a fully equipped kitchen, living area,
living area with LCD-TV with surround sound system and more.
All have balconies, many boasting spectacular ocean views.
Scuba diving packages are available for both shore diving
and boat diving.
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Getting
There
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By Air
From North America
American
Eagle currently operates daily nonstop flights
from San Juan, Puerto Rico to and from Bonaire, with
originating gateways from major U.S. cities.
On
February 9, 2008, Delta Airlines will commence their
weekly non-stop flights from Atlanta to Bonaire and
return.
Flight
#371 will depart Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport at 10:00 AM, and arrive at Bonaire’s
Flamingo Airport at 3:20 PM. The return flight #370
will depart Bonaire at 4:15 PM and arrive in Atlanta
at 7:45 PM. The equipment will be a Boeing 737-800
with 150 seats (15 in Business Class and 134 in Economy).
Air
Jamaica flies to Bonaire via Montego Bay on Saturdays.
Gateway cities from the U.S. include Boston, New York,
Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta,
Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Los Angeles. Air Jamaica
can be reached at 1-800-523-5585. Please
note Air Jamaica will cease service to Bonaire on
March 8th, 2008.
Continental
Airlines offers two non-stop weekly flights. The
first is a round-trip flight between Newark and Bonaire,
utilizing a Boeing 737 with 124 seats, the weekly
flight departs Newark on Saturdays at 11:55 PM, and
arrives Bonaire on the following Sunday morning at
5:40 AM.
Continental
Airlines also flies weekly non-stop flight from
its Houston hub. Flight #1898 departs Houston on Fridays
at 11:30 p.m., arriving in Bonaire on Saturdays at
6:15 a.m. The return flight, #1899, departs Bonaire
on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m., arriving in Houston at
10:50 a.m. Continental Airlines also uses a Boeing
737 airplane with 124 seats including 12 first class
seats. Continental Airlines is the world's sixth largest
airline.
American
Airlines flies direct, non-stop to Curaçao
from Miami. Passengers then use Dutch
Antilles Express to connect to Bonaire. Flying
time between Curaçao and Bonaire is approximately
15-30 minutes. Or, Divi Divi, which flies between
Bonaire and Curacao numerous times on a daily basis,
can be reached at: +599-9-839-1515 or fax +599-9-868
1949. Currently, Insel
Air flies between Curaçao and Bonaire on
Fridays and Sundays, and they should be increasing
their service to daily flights on or about October
15, 2007. Until that time, charters are available.
Their offices can be reached in Curaçao at
phone: +599-9-733-1521 or +599-9-733-1522, or at the
airport at +599-9-868-4400 or 868-6600.
Another
routing option is to fly on any of a number of major
U.S. and South American carriers to Aruba and then
take Dutch
Antilles Express or Tiara
Air from there to Bonaire.
Contact
Dutch
Antilles Express at their new call center, which
can be reached at +599-717-0808, and which is open
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Payment can be made with debit or credit card, with
an e-ticket sent by email or fax. Reservations on
DAE can also be made by emailing reservations@flydae.com
or faxing +599-717-0880. They fly several times daily
to Bonaire from both Curaçao and Aruba. Tiara
Air flies non-stop flights six times each week from
Aruba to Bonaire and back.
From
Europe
KLM
flies direct from Amsterdam to Bonaire several times
each week; the flight continues on to Quito, Ecuador.
Arkefly
provides weekly service from Amsterdam to Bonaire
during the high season. They utilize aircraft that
can accommodate 200-plus passengers.
From
South America
From Ecuador, the same KLM
flight returns to Bonaire with non-stop flights.
From
Venezuela, Transaven
flies from Caracas or Valencia to Bonaire. Their reservation
office can be reached by calling +(599) 717-8446 or
+(599) 717-9944, or via FAX at +(599) 786-1086. They
can accept reservations via email at bonaire@transaven.com.
Charters can be also arranged.
From
Brazil, Varig
and Avianca
fly from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Aruba, which
connect with Dutch
Antilles Express. Avianca
also flies from Bogota to Curacao, from which connections
to Bonaire can be made.
From
Colombia, Avianca
has flights from Bogota to Aruba, which connect with
Dutch
Antilles Express. Also, Dutch
Antilles Express has recently announced they will
soon begin service to Bogota, via Caracas.
Entry Requirements
Citizens of most countries in the world do not need
a visa for their entry to our island. However, effective
January 1, 2005, visitors from the following countries
are now required to have a visa for stays of up to
3 months (90 days) in the Netherlands Antilles, since
beginning in 2005, the Dutch Kingdom synchronized
visa requirements among Aruba and the Netherlands
Antilles.
| Afghanistan |
Fiji |
Rwanda |
| Albania |
Gabon |
Salomon
Islands |
| Algeria |
Gambia |
Sao
Tome and Principal |
| Angola |
Georgia |
Saudi-Arabia |
| Armenia |
Ghana |
Seychelles |
| Azerbeidzjan |
Guinea |
Senegal |
| Bahrein |
Guinea-Bissau |
Servia
and Montenegro |
| Bangladesh |
Haiti |
Sierra
Leone |
| Belarus |
India |
Soedan |
| Benin |
Indonesia |
Somalia |
| Bhutan |
Iraq |
Sri
Lanka |
| Bosnia |
Iran |
Swaziland |
| Botswana |
Jemen |
Syria |
| Burkina
Faso |
Jordania |
Tadzjikistan |
| Burundi |
Kazakhstan |
Taiwan |
| Cambodia |
Kenya |
Tanzania |
| Cameroen |
Kirgizia |
Thailand |
| Cape
Verdia |
Kiribati |
Turkmenistan |
| Central
African Rep. |
Kuwait |
Togo |
| China
(except for |
Laos |
Tonga |
| Hong
Kong SAR and |
Lesotho |
Tsjaad |
| BNO
holders) |
Libanon |
Tunesia |
| Colombia |
Liberia |
Turkey |
| Comores |
Libia |
Tuvalu |
| Congo-Brazzaville |
Macedonia |
United
Arab Emirates |
| Congo-Democrat
Rep. |
Madagascar |
Vanuatu |
| Cote
d’Iviore |
Malawi |
Vietnam |
| Cuba |
Maldives |
West-Samao |
| Dominican
Rep. |
Mali |
Yugoslavia |
| Djibouti |
Morocco |
Zambia |
| Egypt |
Peru |
Zimbabwe |
| Equatorial
Guinea |
Philippines |
South
Africa |
| Eritrea |
Qatar |
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| Ethiopia |
Russian
Federation |
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Maximum
total days that one can stay on the island is 90 days!
The latter can be used in one period or during different
visits in one year.
Extending
Your Stay:
Visitors
from countries that either appear or do not appear
on the above list are required to request extension
of their stay after a 14 days period (2 weeks). For
visitors from countries other than those appearing
above, visits of up to 14 days (2 weeks) are allowed
without any permit.
Citizens
of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, along with
any other countries with whom the Netherlands has
reached an agreement on visa requirements, are allowed
to stay up to 90 days (3 months), without having to
apply for a visit extension.
To
prolong your visit, present the following documentation
in person at the immigration office at Kaya Libertador
Simon Bolivar #7 (behind Tourist Corporation Bonaire's
office):
- Passport
- Visa
(in passport), if required
- Return
ticket
- You
may be required to provide proof that you have the
financial resources to stay up to your new desired
date. This information may also be requested upon
entry into Bonaire, but is up to the discretion
of Immigration.
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United
States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America,
the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to
present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S.
Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien
Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid passport
or other documents as determined by the Department
of Homeland Security. While recent legislative
changes permit a later deadline, the Departments
of State and Homeland Security are working to
meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample
advance notice will be provided to enable the
public to obtain passports or passport cards for
land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S.
citizens traveling to or returning directly from
a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly
from a U.S. territory are not considered to have
left the United States and do not need to present
a passport. U.S. territories include the following:
Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
Details... |
For
more information on visas or extending of your visit,
please call the Immigration Office of Bonaire, Phone:
+599-717-6880.
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Travel
Tips
Transportation
Bonaire has no public transportation. You'll have to choose
between taxis, a rental car, moped or bicycle to get around
the island. Main roads are paved. Most of Bonaire's unpaved
roads are decent, but some areas, including Washington/Slagbaai
Park, become impassable after rain. Local driving habits are
casual: Occasionally two drivers, traveling in opposite directions,
stop to have a "Bonaire meeting." You may also find
that the roads are sometimes blocked by goats or donkeys.
Auto rental agencies are available. US, Canadian, and European
driver licenses are valid for use on the island. Be careful
of the goats, donkeys and pedestrians that roam the island's
roads. All traffic keeps to the right, and international highway
signs are used. Speed limit is 40 km per hour (25 mph) in
town and 60 km to 80 km per hour (38-50 mph) in the countryside.
Banking
There are several banks downtown, all of which have ATMs.
Walk-up hours are generally Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4 pm. Most
banks remain open during lunch.
Telephones
Phone service on the island is generally good. International
calls, faxes, telegrams, telexes and other overseas communications
services are available (at considerably less expensive rates
than resorts charge) at TELBO, Kaya Simon Bolivar 8. Phone
599-717-7000.
Time Zone
4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight Saving
Time is not observed.
Tipping
Tip 15% in restaurants if a service charge hasn't already
been included in the bill. If a gratuity has been added, it's
customary to leave another 5% or so for your waitperson if
the service is good. Tip cabdrivers 10% and bellhops US$1
per bag. If you go diving, tip the dive shop about 10%.
Electricity
127 volts (with surges up to 140 volts), 50 cycles. Some quick
chargers and old-style hairdryers overheat, although newer
50/60 appliances pose no problems.
What to Wear
Bonaire is generally an informal island. Still, courteous
visitors wear at least shorts, a shirt and sandals everywhere
except on beaches and at poolside.
Shopping
Duty-free items (especially watches), T-shirts, jewelry, local
art and handicrafts are about all there is to buy on Bonaire.
Of these, the art may be the best choice: In recent years,
Bonaire artists have been busy creating distinctive works.
Most of the good shopping is on Kaya Grandi in Kralendijk.
Besides the usual trinket marts, there are several shops carrying
authentic local art. Check out the flamingo memorabilia, painted
driftwood and handmade jewelry at Jenny's Souvenirs and Gifts,
across from the post office.
Don't expect to bargain in Bonaire's shops, but feel free
to do so with the Venezuelan fruit vendors in the market (you'll
do better there if you speak Spanish). Most stores accept
and list prices in U.S. currency. Prices are in guilders if
the number is preceded by "fl," in U.S. dollars
if preceded by "$."
Restaurants
Bonaire is experiencing lots of growth, so new restaurants
open frequently -- and not all stay in business. If you stroll
along Kaya Grandi, Kaya J. N. E. Craane (the waterfront road
north of the piers) and Kaya L. D. Gerharts, you'll pass many
eateries serving Caribbean, Dutch, Indonesian and U.S. foods.
All are informal. Even the more upscale restaurants are fairly
casual on Bonaire: Coats and ties are seldom worn -- usually
just for weddings and funerals. On the menus, you'll find
mostly fish and some vegetables and fruits -- most of it excellent
and well seasoned. Be sure to ask about the local fare: soups
and stews made with salted meat, goat, conch, plantains, okra,
cactus or the occasional iguana. (Many restaurants serve local
dishes, but they don't necessarily list them on their menus.)
Everyone should try a rijsttafel: A kind of Indonesian buffet,
it consists of rice accompanied by 6-20 small meat, vegetable
and fish side dishes. Dutch cheeses, chocolate and coffee
are also good, and Dutch beer is widely available.
Activities
When You are not Diving
Snorkeling
If you do not scuba dive but you can swim, you can still enjoy
the incredible underwater world of Bonaire. Snorkeling is
great entertainment for all member of the family no matter
what the age. Many operators offer special snorkeling trips,
or just find a nice beach, and enjoy. With coral formations
found so close to the shoreline aroun Bonaire, you can enjoy
the amazing varities of colorful fish, without a tiring swim.
Water Sports
Visitors to Bonaire will soon find that not all the activities
are confined to just under or in the sea. There are many more
water-related activities that are being discovered by today's
active traveler. As a windsurfing location, the island is
becoming well known for our steady tradewinds and protected
areas with onshore winds. Other water sports include both
ocean and sea kayaking as well as sailing.
Fishing
Bonaire is a great destination for fishing. Whether you are
inshore, fly fishing for bonefish, or headed offshore for
sailfish, marlin, tuna, tarpon, wahoo or dorado, you will
experience a fun and exciting day on the water.
Sightseeing
Bonaire's land-based attractions can't match its underwater
wonders (and the nightlife is very, very low-key), but they
can make for interesting sightseeing -- flamingos and wild
donkeys give the island a surreal quality.
Washington/Slagbaai National Park
Washington/Slagbaai National Park, in particular, is an excellent
place to admire the dry, desertlike landscape -- it's strikingly
different from the lush greenery most associate with the Caribbean.
This pristine 13,500 acre natural park offers an excellent
introduction to the landscape and vegetation of Bonaire. Covering
almost one-fifth of the island, the park offers hills with
scenic vistas, vast saline plains, beaches and trees filled
with exotic birds. Animal life includes wild donkeys, goats
and iguanas. There are also spots that offer excellent snorkeling
and diving. Depending on the amount of time visitors have
to explore, they can choose different routes through the park.
There are two driving trails, the shorter, green route of
28 km (17 miles), which takes about two hours to travel, and
the longer, yellow route of 45 km (28 miles), which takes
about four hours. These are rugged dirt roads, and only four-wheel
drive vehicles are recommended. In the center of the park,
there is also a walking trail up to Brandaris, the highest
hill of Bonaire which offers a wonderful view of the island,
and only takes about three hours round trip. The park is open
daily from 8 am to 5 pm except on official holidays.
Bonaire Museum (History)
The museum exhibits artifacts such as fishing gear, musical
instruments and models of the slave huts to give visitors
an understanding of Bonaire's earlier life and customs.
Peckelmeer Lagoon (Wildlife)
Flamingos favor this lagoon as it is filled with brine shrimp.
Saltpans (History)
Historically, the saltpans have been a great industry for
Bonaire. In earlier times slaves harvested the salt, but today
the site is modernized and uses only environmentally friendly
means of production.
Cabaje (History)
These waist-high stone huts housed slaves who mined the salt
flats in the 18th C. A salt obelisk stands at the site, originally
a marker for arriving ships.
Rincón (History)
Rincón is Bonaire's oldest settlement, founded by the
Spanish in the 15th C. Today it is a town coulored by its
many pastel cottages.
Onima (Prehistoric Cave)
The red petroglyphs adorning the walls of this limestone cave
were made by the Caiquetio Indians five centuries ago.
Goto Meer (Wildlife)
This saltwater lake is home to the Bonaire's flamingo population.
They are especially abundant during the breeding season between
January and July.
Sorobon - Lac Baai (Boating - Water Sports)
Small peninsulas provide Lac Baai with smooth waters but a
steady wind, which makes it a good spot for both beginner
and more advanced windsurfers.
Other Topside Activities
Other topside activities that are being enjoyed by visitors
are cycling and nature tours through the "kunuku"
or outback.
Bird watching has always been a rewarding past time here.
More and more visitors are enjoying the thrill of catching
glimpses of some of our almost two hundred species of birds
including our signature bird, the pink flamingo.
Beaches
Playa Funchi, on the west coast of the island, was the harbor
for Washington Plantation. The pier's stone foundations are
still visible. The water is so clear that visitors standing
on the low cliffs above the
bay can see the colorful coral and parrotfish below. The beach
has no current, so even small children can play in the water.
Boca Slagbaai, a little farther south, is ideal for swimming
because there is no coral on the right side on the bay. The
fine sand also makes Boca a good place for sunbathing. Buildings
dating back to 1868 still stand on the beach, testifying to
this harbor's historic importance. They include the home of
the manager of Slagbaai plantation, a customs office and a
warehouse (magasina) for storing salt.
Playa Bengè is considered one of the finest snorkeling
spots on Bonaire. Swimming north from the center of the beach,
divers pass over a series of coral ridges and alternating
sand channels. Among the many fish in this area are jewelfish,
mahogany snappers, and large tiger groupers.
Playa Chiquitu, on the east coast near the park's entrance,
is deceptive. The beach is beautiful, but the water has a
strong undertow. Swimming is highly discouraged.
Horeseback Riding
There are several stables located on Bonaire for a unique
experience and a slower paced view of the countryside.
Scooters
Rent a scooter or moped and tour the island. Discover the
landscapes, lighthouses, desrted beaches and more at your
liesure.
Casinos
There are two casinos located on Bonaire. Try your luck!
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Request
More Diving & Accommodations Information
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