Hato Travel & Vacation Guide

With hundreds of rescued animals, the sanctuary has been home to the island's donkeys since 1993, often saving their lives by adopting them straight from the street. Make friends with some long-eared residents, even from the comfort of your own car — you can even buy grass pallets to feed them — then round off the experience with a tour in the gift shop or a drink on the panoramic terrace.

The island of Bonaire is blessed on all sides with the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, making it ideal for a range of water sports. If you want to try kayaking, few places offer a better backdrop than the mangrove forest of Lac Bay, which — like 60% of the island's territory — is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. Guided tours are the perfect combination of sports and exploring the local wildlife.

Thanks to steady wind conditions, the east coast of Bonaire is ideal for land sailing (or blokarting) almost all year round. The sport has origins going back to the ancient Egyptians, and it makes for a fun and eco-friendly activity that anyone can try after a short training session. Weather is usually not an issue — and with friendly winds, you will reach a speed of 30–40 km/h — but be sure to keep an eye on the forecast just in case.

Bonairean landscapes are brimming with vibrant flamingos, the island being one of the world's only four breeding grounds for the pink-hued birds — who get their iconic colour from the brine shrimp in the water. Bonaire's go-to place for birdwatching is Pekelmeer Lake, which is located near the salt pans. It's worth hiring a car to explore the area, but don't forget to bring your binoculars as you can only observe the flamingos from a distance. If you are headed elsewhere, both Goto Lake (Goto Meer) and Lac Bay give you spectacular views of the birds.

Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish, Rincón is the oldest settlement not only of Bonaire but the entire Dutch Caribbean. Its location, in the valley, once provided shelter from pirates. Today, it offers great hiking options with breathtaking views. As a cultural centre, it is home to attractions such as the rock formations of Gruta Lourdes, a pilgrimage site, and the Kas Krioyo, an authentic Bonairean building that currently houses a museum. The island's only distillery, Cadushy, is also located here, and it is worth timing your visit so you can celebrate with the locals on Rincón Day on 30 April.

The salt pans on the southern part of the island are among Bonaire's most curious attractions. The 15-metre-high pyramids contain 10,000 tons of salt, which is extracted through solar dehydration from the surrounding ponds. The landscape is also dotted with slave huts: the small, 150 cm tall structures are mere reminders of a dark period in the island's history.

The sea surrounding Bonaire is entirely part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, whose reefs and mangroves are home to the best preserved and the most diverse marine life in the Caribbean. There are nearly 90 dive sites in Bonaire, the most well-known ones being the 1000 Steps Beach, the popular wreck of Hilma Hooker, the deserted island of Klein Bonaire and Bari Reef, whose richness is unique even from a Bonairean perspective. Dive sites are indicated with big rocks painted yellow across the island to help underwater enthusiasts find the location they seek.

Sorobon Beach, in the southern part of Lac Bay, is a great place to try water sports — especially windsurfing — or to improve your skills against the steady wind. And if it's relaxing you're after, there are plenty of shady spots and bars to just soak up the unspoiled views.

Boasting stunning views of the sea — and of sunsets — At Sea, near the cruise port, is a prime choice for those who visit restaurants for a culinary experience: finely composed dishes, excellent ingredients from European cheese to Caribbean fish, and wines from all around the world. The à la carte menu includes items such as caviar, ceviche, duck and bouillabaisse, and for the more daring, there are surprise menus with varying content.

Few things are more idyllic than when your catamaran is rocking on the turquoise Caribbean Sea, you're getting ready for a refreshing swim or snorkel, while the staff are all at your service preparing some delectable grilled food. With Epic Tours, the menu will likely include some seafood, steak, salads, desserts, and accompanying drinks.

A vibrant beachfront venue offering an idyllic backdrop for everything — from snorkelling to cocktail-sipping in chic cabanas. Breakfast options are varied and range from savoury to sweet, and for the rest of the day there's a rich offering from salads to local fish to brisket, with other specialities such as yucca fries or bitterballen, plus an extensive wine selection.

Leaving Rincón to the west you will find one of the city's hidden jewels, Posada Para Mira. Here, you can sample a variety of local cuisine: soups and stews made of goat, cod and iguana, served with plantain and funchi as some of the garnish options. Posada also offers a range of refreshing drinks, not to mention — hence the name — the view unfolding in front of your table.

Yhanni's Arepas is a low-key, toes-in-sand restaurant with cheap and diverse Venezuelan food, plus sunbeds to further increase your comfort. The menu offers a wide selection of options, from classic ham and cheese arepas to more exotic varieties. In addition to that, there are also varying offers of burritos, soups and seafood.

Cheerful and stylish accessories, gifts and kite gear await you in this vibrant shop near the waterfront, where you can even have a unique bracelet tailored to your style and find outfits for any occasion from a day at the beach to sightseeing in the city.

A tour among the colourful stalls of this craft market is a great way to begin your journey on Bonaire. Whether it's paintings, jewellery or home decor, immerse yourself in the works of local artists and craftspeople and as a bonus, sample Bonairean gastronomy — all in the immediate vicinity of your cruise ship.

Jungle's hip store, in the heart of Kralendijk, offers attractive and meticulously designed swimwear and clothes, so you can enjoy your holiday in glamorous outfits. The beauty products, accessories, and modest jewellery also make for great souvenirs and as a bonus are a great choice for those who prefer sustainable products.

Salt production on Bonaire began with the Dutch West India Company during the times of slavery to meet the soaring demand back on the old continent. Today, the salt ponds, now in American hands, are run under modernised conditions, producing over 300,000 metric tons of salt a year. The Salt Shop thus offers souvenirs which, besides being great additions to kitchens and bathrooms, are also deeply rooted in Bonaire's history.

The high season on Bonaire lasts from November to April and the rainiest months are October through December, so May and June could be ideal for those who seek pleasant weather and want to avoid the crowds. Temperatures are relatively stable all year round, but the easterly winds ease considerably around August, making that period feel much warmer.

Citizens of most countries do not require a visa to enter Bonaire for stays of up to 90 days. Visitors of certain nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance. For complete information on entry requirements, please contact the Immigration Office on Bonaire or any representation of the Kingdom of Netherlands in your country. All visitors to Bonaire are required to pay the visitor tax, which is $75 in 2023 and can be paid online or upon arrival. Visitors will also need to provide a passport that is valid for the duration of the stay and has some unused pages, a valid return ticket, and the necessary documents for returning to their country of origin.

Bonaire International Airport (IATA: BON), or Flamingo Airport, is located directly to the south of Kralendijk, around 3.4 km from the city centre. The airport is small and easily accessible from the city and offers taxi and car rental services.

With average road conditions, road transport in Bonaire has its limitations, but taxi services are, nonetheless, available on the island. Taxis have 'TX' on the license plates and since the rates are set by the government, a price list should always be available for you to consult before your ride. It is best to book taxis in advance, for which information can be obtained at information booths or your accommodation. Water taxis are also available on the island, mostly to Klein (small) Bonaire opposite the cruise port, and it is also used by snorkellers and divers to get to other places with favourable conditions.

The cruise port of Bonaire is located on the west side of the island, close to the centre of Kralendijk. Ships dock at one of two terminals, known as the Northern Pier and Southern Pier. Between the two, the Northern Pier is a few minutes closer to Wilhelmina Park hosting souvenir vendors, the shopping street of Kralendijk (Kaya Grandi), and the Sea Promenade brimming with restaurants (Kaya J. N. E. Craane). Passengers can also avail of tourist information, tour, and scuba diving operators and taxis at the cruise port.

While the city of Kralendijk is easy to explore on foot, if you want to tour the rest of the island, it is worth hiring a golf cart (or tuk-tuk). More eco-friendly than taxis, golf carts also allow for a more hands-on experience — not to mention your appointed guide, who will add an educative layer to your trip. At Bon Tuk, you can choose from a range of vehicle sizes and there are also several themed rides on offer.

Pharmacies on Bonaire are called 'botika' and are generally open from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. The pharmacy at Fundashon Mariadal (San Francisco Hospital) is less than a 15-minute walk from the cruise port.