We first became acquainted with Bonaire in 2007 and were immediately contaminated with the ‘ Bonaire virus ‘; The beautiful nature, the healthy climate, the tranquillity, the blue sea, the many diving and snorkeling pots, the locals and so on…. Bonaire is enjoying and relaxing! We like to dive and swim very much, but Bonaire is also worth a visit
worth discovering ‘ above water ‘. We will gladly tell you all about it. We also think it is very important that you have a carefree and pleasant stay in our home. That is why the most important things in this reference work have been put up for you.
Bon Bini na Bonaire!
Bonaire means ‘ beautiful air ‘. You will notice this if you are going to enjoy the red sunset. All you have to do is walk or drive to the coast. However, be careful with the sun! Brown you are even in the shadows here, so we advise you to rub yourself in the morning with sunburn. You are sitting close to the equator and the sun is lit up when you swim, walk to the car, go outside, and so on. The first days to spend too much time in the sun can have very nasty consequences for the rest of the holidays. (we say, partly from experience).
On Bonaire The following things are very normal , by the way:
Sudden loss of electricity (usually several hours), a crossing donkey or Iguana, up to 60 km/h drive, sometimes empty shelves in the supermarket and a non-working internet. Don’t look at it, one doesn’t know better. Relax!
Language
On Bonaire one speaks mostly Dutch. The locals also often speak Papiamentu. We encourage you to learn and use some words from that language!
Good Morning/Good day: Bon dia
Good afternoon: Bon Tardi
Good evening: Bon Noche
How are you? : Could Ta Bai?
It’s going fine!: Hopi bon!
Thanks: thanks
See you: Ayo!
Traffic
The island has no traffic lights, only intersections and roundabouts. The person on the largest (main) road has priority. (Or sometimes the one with the largest car) Coming from the right does not give priority to this at any rate. Our advice is to drive quietly, because there
is no reason to be somewhere fast.) Bonaireans also tend to be very slow. They do not rush quickly. The maximum speed is usually 60 km / h. The word ‘unwind’ fits well with Bonaire.
Voltage
The regular voltage is 110 volts. However, Cas Bon Majeti has 220 V connections. In the kitchen of the house and in the kitchen of the guesthouse you can find 110 V sockets.
Beaches
Public beaches are not very many, but the following are definitely worth it: Eden Beach. Drive through Kralendijk towards the port. On your left you’ll find Eden Beach and Spice Bar & Restaurant. This is my (Jeroen) big favorite, partly because of the
palm trees, bar and Piet Boon’s design.
Donkey Beach . This is the closest to the house. You drove from the airport to our house. There is shade of trees and can easily walk into the sea. You can also drop by the BBQ and enjoy the sunset and eat and drink.
Bachelors Beach. This is the beach closest to the house, 400 metres away. To the left of the ‘ Piet Boon huis ‘ You’ll find a public beach, where you can enjoy a swim.
Plaza . This hotel has its own private beach (and swimming pool) but you can also visit it as a guest. You have to pay a few dollars. Also Plaza has a bar on the beach and it can be very cosy. Drive from the house past the airport and then turn left
in the direction of Plaza Hotel.
Sorobon On the other side of the island lies Sorobon. There is a lot of surfing here because of the reef in the sea. The water here is not much deeper than approx. 80 cm.
Supermarkets
In Bonaire There are several small supermarkets. Close to the house there are 3, at or near the Kaya Industria (turn right at the first roundabout that you encounter in the direction of Kralendijk)
– Van den Tweel (expensive)
– Warehouse Bonaire (cheaper)
– Bondigro (cheap supermarket, diagonally opposite the Warehouse)
Van den Tweel is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm.
Bondigro is well similar to Lidl. You will find all the basic needs.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and on Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm.
Many Chinese supermarkets have wider opening hours, especially in the evening.
Do you use special foods or are you attached to a certain branded item? Then be sure to bring some from the Netherlands. For many things you pay on Bonaire 2 to 3 times more than in the Netherlands, because everything has to be flown. Meat is
very affordable and of good quality, because this usually comes from South America.
Eating/drinking
Taste is different, so we can only make recommendations:
1. At Sea (boulevard) Tasty tuna ever.
2. Captain Don’s Habitat. Super nice view over the sea
3. It Rains Fishes (boulevard) Very tasty fish!
4. Cuba Company (boulevard) Excellent and affordable menu. Delicious meat.
If you have had it with the (expensive) touristenrestaurants or the hotel buffet, then here some tasty low budget tips: Bobbejan’s BBQ, Kaya Albert Engel Hart, Kralendijk. Delicious spareribs, fries and salads for around US 11. Only open Friday through Sunday.
For the (takeaway) Chinese you go to Spanhoek on the Kaya Simon Bolivar (near the Church), a good bite from US 6 ,.
On weekends one sells just before Kaya Grandi usually eat like roti from a van. Of course you can also just cook yourself.
You can also buy fresh fish that you can prepare at home at It rains fishes. There is little fresh fish on the island. The majority goes to the restaurants and resorts.
Children with? Then the following restaurants are certainly suitable:
Joe’s grill (children’s play area)
Captain Don’s Habitat (Big fish Below you)
Rum Runners, Monday evening unlimited BBQ.
http://rumrunnersbonaire.com/dinner/
ATMs (convert you ATM card to ‘ world ‘)
Before you hop on the plane, don’t forget to make sure you can use your ATM card on Bonaire. In Bonaire you can simply pay with a pin in many places (such as supermarkets). When you want to pin money out of the vending machine, it will cost about $4 at a time so remember well how much you want to go pins. The maximum is usually an equivalent of 500 euro.
Insects and beasts
Beasts you are sure to encounter: Iguana, Geckos, hermit lobsters and mosquitoes. Geckos (see above) you can find in the house and iguana you encounter in the garden and in every other place on the island. You can ignore them (iguana) or if you want to get them away, you’ll walk on them and you’ll find that they’re fleeing quickly. Although…. we have a real ‘ house iguana’ ‘. You will undoubtedly be able to encounter this iguana once you sit on the porch, because then it is his chance to take a job in the pool. Geckos should definitely let you down, they live from mosquitoes and other little stuff. Maybe suddenly see a shell moving in the garden. That is a land crab.
Mosquitoes are usually plentiful, but the amount depends on the humidity on the island and the amount of wind. Nevertheless, it is advisable to sleep under a mosquito net and to inject or lubricate yourself with “Off spray” when the twilight begins. (approx. 18.00 hours). Advice: Don’t think the mosquitoes will beat you. They do not. Really not. The mosquitoes love the white thin skin of tourists, and they especially attack on your lower legs. The skin of ‘ locals ‘ or of Dutch people who have been on Bonaire for a long time has become thicker and drier and therefore less attractive for mosquitoes. Moreover, the defense system is now accustomed to the mosquitoes and it can better defend themselves (less itching.)
