Bonaire, along with the better known Aruba and Curacao make up the Dutch Antilles ABC islands. Bonaire lies off the coast of Venezuela, just a little over the equator at 12 degrees north. The waters surrounding Bonaire are a protected marine park and perfect for scuba divers and snorkelers. Bonaire has easy access dive points – marked with yellow-painted stones – that are set up around the island’s roads making it easy to dive right from shore.
Looking for an alterative adventure to the usual underwater explorations of Bonaire, travellers can take mountain bike day trips through the desert interior. The tourist maps show well-marked mountain bike trails and you will see other people riding around the capital of Kralendijk on mountain bikes. Near the center of town are a couple of bike rental places and most resorts will have some sort of bike rentals or can help you rent.
Once you get on your bike, your feet will peddle you to various scenic points around the island. Peddle north of the capital Kralendijk and you can explore all the trails in Washington/Slagbaai National Park and the town of Rincon. Head south for the pink beach and Lac Bay. On the eastern coast you'll see spectacular waves crashing against old lava beds.
Getting there
Many airlines fly there from gateway cities such as Houston and Miami. Direct service can be found on Dutch airline KLM as well as from Newark, NJ on Continental.
Where to stay
There are many different accommodation choices from private houses, to diver’s hotels, to luxurious resorts.
Renting bikes
De Freewieler has the most rugged and professional bikes. Practical information:
The currency is the Netherlands Antilles guilder or florin abbreviated as NAF. It is pegged to the U.S. dollar, so changing money is easy. You can pay in dollars and receive your change back in guilders.
Other information:
Mosquitoes were a really big problem so a good strong insect repellant is a necessity. Most of the restaurants are open-air so eating outside for dinner is a potentially uncomfortable experience.
More Caribbean info: Tobacco Caye, Belize
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