6 Best Sights in Bonaire

The Bonaire Marine Park, founded in 1979 to protect the island's most precious natural resource, covers an area of less than 700 acres and includes all the waters around the island from the high-water mark to the 60-meter depth. Because it has so zealously protected its marine environment, Bonaire offers an amazing diversity of underwater life. Turtles, rays, and fish of every imaginable color abound in the pristine waters of the park. Several well-enforced rules include: (1) pay the annual Nature Fee, and attach the yellow tag you receive to an item of scuba gear; (2) no spearfishing; (3) no dropping anchor; and (4) no touching, stepping on, or collecting coral. Checkout dives—dives you do first with a master before going out on your own—are required, and you can arrange them through any dive shop. All dive operations offer classes in free buoyancy control, advanced buoyancy control, and photographic buoyancy control.

This distillery in the tiny village of Rincon produces some of the most distinctive cactus-based spirits in the Caribbean, including vodka, gin, and several special blends dedicated to each Dutch Caribbean Island as well the original Spirit of Bonaire liqueur. The company also makes an acclaimed award-winning top-shelf rum called Rom Rincón, and a special whiskey dedicated to the pioneer of dive tourism, the late Captain Don Stewart. Sample all the fine sprits (and cocktails made with them) in a lovely tropical tasting garden and learn all about the process on-site. You can also purchase bottles to take home.  

Built around the second-oldest stone structure on Bonaire, this cultural park a few miles before Rincón provides a fascinating insight into the island's history. The museum commands an excellent view of the surrounding countryside and contains artifacts tracing the often hard lives of the early settlers. Numerous structures built around the museum illustrate how living conditions have changed over the years. The park is usually filled with island schoolkids learning how to use traditional musical instruments and how to cook local foods. The last Saturday of each month features a cultural market. Enjoy local food and purchase crafts while listening to island music. Arrive early for the best selection of treats.

Rincón is the oldest town in the ABC islands, originally a Spanish settlement that was cradled in a valley in the interior to escape detection of pirates from the sea.  Once the Dutch took over, it became the settlement where enslaved peoples were allowed to live, work the farms, and commute the long trek to work the salt pans in the south. Today, Rincón is considered the cultural cradle on Bonaire, and the resident Rinconeros even have their own flag and anthem. Dia di Rincon, held on April 30, is a popular cultural festival that welcomes all to celebrate the town's colorful spirit, music, dance, and food.  In 2023, a new regular event called “Marshe di Rincón” began, now drawing more visitors to the historic town with free shuttles from the South Pier for the street festival of local food, music, dance, handmade products, and fun. It takes place from 10 am to 4 pm whenever a cruise ship is in port.

Owner Ellen Herrera restored her family's homestead north of Lac Bay, in the Bonairean kadushi (cactus) wilderness, to educate tourists and residents about the history and tradition of authentic kunuku living and to show unspoiled terrain in two daily tours. You must make an appointment in advance and expect to spend a couple of hours.

Rising like mountains of snow towering over lakes of pink-hued water, Bonaire's salt pans are hard to miss. Harvested once a year, the "ponds" are owned by Cargill, Inc., which has reactivated the 19th-century solar salt industry with great success. Look in the distance across the pans to the abandoned solar saltworks that is now a designated flamingo sanctuary. With the naked eye you might be able to make out a pink-orange haze just on the horizon. This sanctuary is completely protected, no entrance is allowed, and it is one of the world's largest flamingo populations and breeding grounds. The flamingo is Bonaire's national symbol.