WASHINGTON SLAGBAAI NATIONAL PARK
SAFETY TIP
Washington Slagbaai National Park covers a massive area of beautiful and unspoiled habitat. It is also a remote and unpopulated region with little to no access to water. When venturing into the park, make sure you have
at least a half tank of gas and a spare tire. Bring plenty of water along with sunscreen and proper attire, including a hat to protect yourself from the sun. If you plan on going for a hike, check in at the park entrance to learn about your route, and remember to stick to the path.
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WASHINGTON SLAGBAAI NATIONAL PARK
Playa Funchi, while a longer route heads up along the east and northern coasts. The long route adds between 30 and 45 minutes to the drive time but is the only way to access the northern three dive and snorkel sites.
BONAIRE
RELAX & RECHARGE
If you are headed up to visit the park, do not miss The Rose Inn. This chilled out restaurant located in downtown Rincón serves hearty and
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WASHINGTON SLAGBAAI NATIONAL PARK
BONAIRE
RELAX & RECHARGE
If you are headed up to visit the park, do not miss The Rose Inn. This chilled out restaurant located in downtown Rincón serves hearty and
delicious Caribbean stews – often chicken, fish, beef or goat – accompanied by local sides such as plantain, polenta and moro, which is a flavorful mix of rice and beans. Do not be in a hurry when you visit this place – the food is served in their
shaded outdoor courtyard at the relaxed pace of Rincón life, often with a soundtrack of old-school reggae or calypso. So sit back, unwind, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a traditional taste of Bonaire. The Rose Inn is closed on Wednesdays.
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Due to the forces that formed Bonaire, the island is not ringed with continuous, sandy beaches like you may find on other Caribbean islands. But hidden away among the nooks and crannies of an otherwise rocky coastline are nearly two dozen gorgeous beaches that offer a great place to unwind in the sun during a day out of the water. Some of the beaches, such as Wayaka II, Boka Slagbaai, and Atlantis Beach, are adjacent to dive sites, so are discussed in more detail in the diving section. But if you are looking for a beach unassociated with a diving spot, here are some of your best options:
Kokolishi Beach (Playa Kokolishi)
Kokolishi Beach is a secluded, 80-foot-wide (25-meter) stretch of dark-sand beach tucked away at the back of a long, narrow cove. It is found near
the northern tip of the island, and while you will not want to spend a whole day here, it is worth a visit on your way through the park.
Chikitu Beach (Playa Chikitu)
Located a ways off of the National Park’s long road and less than a half mile (0.7 kilometers) southeast of Kokolishi Beach, Chikitu Beach is a picturesque cove looking out on the rough waters of the Atlantic. There is no swimming here due to dangerous currents and rip tides, but this is one of the only places on Bonaire where you will see real sand dunes.
Coco Beach (Playa Lechi, Eden, Harbour Village)
This stretch of beach is actually a few beaches adjacent to the Bari and Front Porch sites. This is not a secluded beach, but there is plenty to do here., including beach volleyball and refreshments.
BEACHES
Bonaire beaches
BONAIRE
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Te Amo Beach
Located just north of Playa Palu di Mangel (Donkey Beach, next to Windsock), Te Amo Beach is a white-sand beach that looks out on the calm waters between Klein Bonaire and downtown Kralendijk. The beach is crowded on weekends, but less so during the week.
Bachelor’s Beach
Bachelor’s Beach is must-visit beach south of the airport. The beach is a small stretch of white sand at the base of the cliff, and it offers a memorable experience with the perfect turquoise waters that you want from a Caribbean paradise.
Lac Cai
Located on the northern edge of Lac Bay on the east coast, Lac Cai beach is a gorgeous sandy beach next to the shallow, clear blue waters of the bay, and with a photo-worthy backdrop of healthy mangrove stands. This beach is popular with locals on the weekend but is a little off the beaten path for many visitors.
Sorobon Beach
Located at the southern edge of Lac Bay on the east coast, Sorobon Beach is a long stretch of sand. where a small community has built up as a mecca for wind surfing. There are plenty of spots to relax along the waterfront, and even a beach bar called, appropriately enough, the Hang Out Beach Bar.
No Name Beach
This sandy beach is the drop off point for the water taxi on the northeastern corner of Klein Bonaire, the uninhabited island that sits just 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) off the west coast of Bonaire. The beach has two shelters that provide shade and a few BBQ grills available (you will need to bring your own charcoal) but little else, other than sand, sun and warm water. This is a great way to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the main island, just bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
BEACHES
BONAIRE
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