Cheap trip to Bonaire

When is the best time to visit?

February to June is the best period: the driest season with 30 to 32 degrees Celsius and minimal rainfall. Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt (too far south), making it safe to visit all year round. The low season from May to November is 30 to 40 percent cheaper and less crowded, yet still pleasant. The "rainy season" on Bonaire is mild compared to other Caribbean islands: brief showers followed quickly by sunshine. Underwater visibility remains excellent throughout the year.

The five faces of Bonaire

• Kralendijk The colourful capital and the living heart of the island. All dive schools, restaurants and the water taxi to Klein Bonaire are here. The atmosphere is relaxed and small-scale, with no mass tourism.
• Rincon The oldest village on Bonaire, nestled in a green valley. Authentic Caribbean character with colourful cottages and a lively village square. Try kabritu stoba (goat stew) and funchi here - local cuisine, unfiltered.
• Washington Slagbaai National Park 6,000 hectares of untouched nature in the north-west of the island. More than 190 bird species, flamingo colonies and sea turtles. Two self-drive routes of 24 and 35 kilometres. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00-17:00 (access closes at 14:30). Closed on Mondays.
• South tip: salt pans and slave huts The most photogenic drive on the island: white salt pyramids, the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary with 2,000 to 3,000 flamingos, the red slave huts from 1850 and the Willemstoren lighthouse at the southernmost tip. Entirely free, just a rental car needed.
• Klein Bonaire An uninhabited islet 800 metres off the west coast, reachable by water taxi. No shops, no facilities - but one of the finest snorkelling and diving spots in the Caribbean.

Top 5 things to do on Bonaire

• Shore diving (world-class) The entire west coast is a national marine park with more than 60 numbered sites accessible from the shore. No boat required for most sites. STINAPA Nature Fee: USD 40 per person, valid all year 2026 and includes access to Washington Slagbaai NP. A 6-day unlimited shore diving package costs USD 250 to 350. Top operators: Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat and Sand Dollar Dive.
• Snorkelling at Klein Bonaire Water taxi return plus guided snorkel tour to the uninhabited islet: around USD 50 to 75 per person. Snorkel set rental USD 10 to 15 per day. The shallow coral reefs are accessible even without experience. Visibility is excellent year-round.
• Washington Slagbaai National Park A day trip to the wild north. Flamingo colonies, cactus landscapes, sea turtles and dramatic clifftop views. Entrance included in the USD 40 Nature Fee. Bring plenty of water (no shops in the park) and lunch. A 4x4 is recommended for the unpaved tracks; the shorter route covers 24 kilometres.
• Flamingo route south tip The most popular free activity on Bonaire. Drive yourself past the salt pyramids, the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary and the 1850 slave huts to the Willemstoren lighthouse. Best light for photos: early morning. Only cost: rental car (USD 37 to 70 per day).
• Lac Bay and the secret Sunday gathering The sheltered lagoon in the south-east is ideal for windsurfing and wing foiling. Every Sunday afternoon from 13:00 to 15:00, locals gather at the remote Lac Cai beach for an unofficial barbecue with live music - fresh fish, local drinks and pure Bonairiaan atmosphere. Not in the big travel guides, but the real heart of island life.

Flights from the Netherlands

KLM flies daily direct from Schiphol (AMS) to Flamingo International Airport (BON) in approximately 9 hours 25 minutes. Corendon flies twice a week with the Airbus A350-900; TUI also has several flights per week. Around 17 flights a week in total from AMS to Bonaire. There is no confirmed direct connection from Eindhoven (EIN); travellers from the south should connect via Schiphol. Cheapest return fares in 2026: Corendon from around EUR 499, TUI from around EUR 542, KLM from around EUR 600. Book 3 to 5 weeks in advance for the best price; in high season (December to April) book 3 to 6 months ahead. There is no public transport on Bonaire - a rental car is essential. Book via DiscoverCars for a rental car on Bonaire: USD 37 to 70 per day; a 4x4 is recommended for Washington Slagbaai NP and Lac Cai.

What does a trip to Bonaire cost?

Bonaire is not a budget destination but offers excellent value for money: world-class dive infrastructure, a safe and clean environment, and as Dutch Caribbean territory no visa is required for EU passport holders. Note: all prices on Bonaire are in US dollars (USD). A 6% accommodation tax and USD 9 tourism tax per person per day is added to room prices. Budget accommodation (guesthouse): USD 25 to 90 per night. Mid-range hotel or apartment: USD 120 to 250 per night. Food: local lunch USD 10 to 15, dinner at a mid-range restaurant USD 15 to 25 per person.