Cruise Diva Goes Ashore in the Caribbean
Sights to see & things to do
Bonaire
Bonaire is the least populated of the 'ABC' islands off the coast of Venezuela (the others are Aruba and Curaçao) and has gone to great lengths to preserve its natural resources.
Diversions
Plentiful unmetered taxis with fixed rates provide a good alternative for getting around, especially if you want a guided tour of the island. If you rent a car, be on the look out for goats and other local critters that wander freely in the road. A walking tour booklet outlining the capital’s modest attractions is available from the tourist office in Kralendijk. The 19th century Fort Oranje, which houses the Harbor Office, is one of the best sights, as is the adjacent stone lighthouse. The Bonaire Museum displays exhibits on the Caiquetio Indians and local art and artifacts.
Out on the island, vast saltpans at Bonaire's southern tip are home to one of the largest flamingo breeding grounds in the world where the pink birds flock by the thousands. On the island’s northern end, the 13,500-acre Washington-Slagbaai National Park was created on of the grounds of two former plantations and is home to more than 100 species of birds.
Shopping
Shell art, coral carvings, hand painted wooden fish, fabrics, clothing, and cigars can be found on the main shopping street of Breedestraat in Kralendijk and in the boutiques at the harbor.
Beaches
Witte Pan, or Pink Beach, on the southwestern coast is one of the island's better beaches. On the western coast, Playa Slagbaai has good swimming and snorkeling and to the north, Playa Funchi has fine snorkeling in calm waters full of parrotfish and coral. Diving is premier in Bonaire with forty top sites just off the leeward coast alone.
Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call 2013 is all you need to plan your days ashore, PLUS a cruise primer section and cruise line profiles by Cruise Diva, Linda Coffman
Back to Caribbean Ports of Call
More from CruiseDiva.com:
Articles & Advice
Cruise Reviews
Cruise Line Profiles
