Bonaire Vacations

If you like to dive, then Bonaire – a Netherlands Antilles island east of Central America and north of Venezuela – should definitely be on your list. Bonaire itself if a flat land with arid bushes, sand and salt. However, underwater, the coral blooms, establishing Bonaire’s reputation as one of the best places in the world to dive or snorkel – in fact, even the car license plates boast that it’s a Diver’s Paradise.

On land, Bonaire is home to only two towns – the capital, Kralendijk, and Rincon. Other popular tourist stopping points are the Washington-Slagbaii National Park, the salt flats and historic rock art. Non-stop flights to the country are available from Amsterdam and the East Coast.

The tourism board for Bonaire can be found at www.tourismbonaire.com.

• Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
• When to go: Almost anytime, although the ‘rainy’ season lasts October through January
• Known for: Diving, coral reefs
• Languages: Dutch, Papiamentu, and English (official), Spanish