Bonaire is the smallest of the three ABC islands with a total population of around 17.000. The capital is Kralendijk.
Bonaire has been inhabited for at least 4500 years. The tall Caquetio lived here when in 1499 Alonso de Ojeda showed up and colonized the island for Spain.
The Dutch West India Company used the island as a plantation and to harvest salt. The salt ponds are still in operation today.
The economy is based on tourism. The worldclass reefs, loaded with fish, make for a divers
paradise. Surfers prefer the windy southeastern shore at Lac Bay.
A real gem is Washington Slagbaai National Park and you can combine this with a trip to nearby Goto Lake where flamingos are abundant. And look out for giant green iguanas and wild donkeys.
Do not miss the surrealistic colored salt pans with the slave huts. You may spot some very colorful flamingos here.
Since
1997 we have visited beautiful Bonaire several times.