The Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire continues to focus on sustainability to ensure that visitors tread lightly when exploring the destination, both above and below sea level. This year, guests will be greeted with new additions, renovated spaces and plenty of ways to upgrade and enhance a visit to the island, from outdoor adventure to creative cuisine.
Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort Bonaire is a new family-friendly resort that opened on December 1, 2021. The beach resort offers four-star amenities with 196 apartments, five villas and a lazy river that connects the property’s two pools. The property recently unveiled two restaurants. The whole project is likely to be completed by March 31.
Bloozz Resort Bonaire is a new three-building resort with direct access to Bachelor’s Beach. The 46-studio and apartment resort has a magnesium pool with a swim-up pool bar. It is expected to open in the second half of this year.
The owners of Bonaire Resort are currently building Sunset Beach Resort bonaire, which will include 106 luxury apartments and penthouses, a large pool with sunbeds, a beach bar, a restaurant and casino. The resort is slated to open in 2023.
Delfins Beach Resort recently opened a 19,375-square-foot multifunctional building, featuring a conference and a meeting room outfitted with modern facilities, a gym, a wellness center and a new Asian restaurant. The restaurant, Senang, has an intimate ambiance and offers Asian-inspired bites.
Delfins Beach Resort (Elliott Howell)
Hofi Restaurant Bonaire opened its doors in the second half of 2021 and brings together premium spirits and shared-style dining in an intimate garden setting.
Tiki & Co., the tiki bar located in the heart of Kralendijk, opened its doors in late spring of 2021. Owned by Sir Eddy Trenidad, the hip and exotic craft cocktail bar serves guests contemporary tropical cuisine with a creole twist.
Over in C’est La Vie Gourmet, Venezuelan-born chef Juan de Sousa opened a new gourmet shop providing light dishes like salads, charcuterie plates and wine, paninis and soups.
Located in the South Pier Mall in Kralendijk is the new Sakura Sushi Bar, where guests can enjoy authentic, fresh sushi with a sunset backdrop.
At the new beachfront restaurant Azure at Eden Beach, located at the Eden Beach Resort, guests can enjoy the sand and sea together.
Set in the heart of Kralendijk, Grandi, the new wine bar and restaurant, serves up Italian cuisine. Guests can enjoy fresh, local products paired with a curated wine selection in a cozy atmosphere.
The recently opened La Otra Vaina is a nightlife hotspot known for its cocktails and different theme nights.
Bonaire Landsailing Adventures has partnered with Cave Tours Bonaire to offer a combo tour. Visitors can learn about Bonaire’s subterranean world, besides enjoying the thrill of landsailing on a blokart above ground. Bonaire Landsailing Adventures will also expand its offerings to provide evening sessions this year.
The only distillery in Bonaire, Cadushy Distillery is offering limited-edition rum from distiller Eric Gietman’s private stock of the locally produced Rom Rincon. Aged in small barrels, the Rom Rincón Limited Edition 2021 can be purchased on-site at the distillery.
The iconic Harbour Village, nestled on Bonaire’s only private white-sand beach, is offering a year-round complimentary concierge diving experience at Great Adventures Bonaire, its on-site dive operation.
As part of sustainable efforts, a ban on single-use plastic carrier bags, stars, stirrers and cutlery will take effect in March 2022. Reef Renewal Bonaire, a local group that preserves and restores Bonaire’s reef through sustainable community involvement, has produced 2,500 certified reef renewal divers. A whopping 7,500 new pieces of coral were planted in 2021 and divided over the 10 coral restoration sites in Bonaire. Currently, 80 percent of all local dive centers in Bonaire are participating in the reef renewal program.
Originally built in 1917, The Bonarian, an oceanfront luxury boutique hotel with views of the capital Kralendijk, has completed renovations and now consists of eight guestrooms and a penthouse. Guests can rent out the entire hotel for a more private experience, which includes airport transfers, catering, activities provided, besides access to a private beach and party area.
Downtown Kralendijk (Tourism Corporation Bonaire)
Under new ownership since 2020, Sun Rentals renovated several houses including Kas Koral, an old Bonarian house popular among locals and tourists alike. The three-bedroom home features private terraces and offers sunset views.
Toucan Diving recently added the Silver Surfer, a custom-built 38-foot catamaran with a cruising speed of 17 mph, to its fleet. The new vessel is ideal for diving and snorkeling, and is also available for a sunset party cruise, kite trips and private charter.
Washington Slagbaai Park will be open seven days a week until February 28. Opening hours will remain the same (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
After being closed for a year due to COVID-19, the Cactus Blue Food Truck is back and serving up its Lion Fish Burgers and fresh fruit juices on Donkey Beach.
Avis Bonaire, a car rental company, now has new air-conditioned headquarters at the airport terminal and is equipped with a waiting hall and kids’ corner.
In recent months, Bonaire has added the availability of rapid antigen testing at its Flamingo International Airport to help travelers adhere to the island’s updated testing protocol, which requires a negative antigen test result taken within 24 hours before departure or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure to Bonaire. Non-vaccinated travelers must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure. The on-site testing will also benefit travelers heading back to the U.S. as results are ready within 15 minutes.
To know more, visit www.tourismbonaire.com.
Related Stories
Bermuda Announces New Relaxed COVID Protocols
Jamaica to Launch Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17
Aruba Eases Entry Requirements for All International Visitors