Kralendijk is a must-see city with Caribbean chic casual restaurants and bars Photo Credit Tourism Corporation Bonaire

BONAIRE ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR VISITORS IN 2022

New Tourism Experiences Await Travelers to the Dutch Caribbean Island

Kralendijk, Bonaire: Feb. 2022 – With the return of nonstop flights from the major airlines, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire experienced a boom in visitors over the second half of 2021 and has announced enticing new experiences as the destination looks to welcome even more travelers in 2022. The island continues to focus on sustainability, a trend that Bonaire has always been at the forefront of, to ensure that visitors tread lightly when exploring the natural beauty of this Blue Destination, both above and below sea level. Guests will be greeted with brand new additions, renovated spaces, and plenty of ways to upgrade and enhance a visit to the island, from outdoor adventure to creative cuisine. The new year marks a fresh start for Tourism Corporation Bonaire’s CEO Miles B M Mercera who was appointed in July. “We’re gearing up for what will be an exciting year for the destination,” said Mercera, who will be rolling out a new brand strategy in the coming months. “While our underwater world will always be a draw, we offer experiences that appeal to diverse travelers, including enhanced dining options and elevated accommodations, to meet the demand as more discerning and eco-conscious travelers uncover what has long been a natural hidden gem.”

Yoga on the water is a sunny recipe for relaxation Photo Credit @iriesportswellbeing via Bonaire Tourism Facebook

Eat Local

Hofi Restaurant Bonaire opened its doors in the second half of 2021 and brings together premium spirits and shared-style dining in an intimate garden setting. The highly anticipated tiki bar Tiki & Co., located in the heart of Kralendijk, opened its doors in the late spring of 2021. Owned by Sir Eddy Trenidad, the hip and exotic craft cocktail bar serves guests contemporary tropical cuisine with a creole twist. Delfins Beach Resort opened a brand-new Asian cuisine restaurant, Senang, in December of 2021. Inspired by the unforgettable experiences through their Asia travels, restaurant owners Jonnie & Thérèse Boer invite guests to feel ‘senang’ under an intimate ambiance with Asian influence bites that have yet to be found on the island. Over in C’est La Vie Gourmet, Venezuelan-born chef, Juan de Sousa opened a new gourmet shop providing light dishes like salads, charcuterie plates and wine, paninis, soups, and more. Located in the South Pier Shopping mall in Kralendijk, guests can now enjoy authentic, fresh sushi with a sunset backdrop at the new Sakura Sushi Bar. The new beachfront restaurant Azure at Eden Beach, located at the Eden Beach Resort, is now open. Designed with comfort in mind, guests can enjoy the sand and sea together at this new waterfront restaurant. Set in the heart of Kralendijk, Grandi, a new wine bar and restaurant opened its doors on December 7th. The new Italian cuisine spot provides fresh, local products paired with a carefully curated wine selection in a cozy atmosphere.

Underwater exploring is among the finest in the world Photo Credit Bonaire Tourism

New Experiences

Bonaire Landsailing Adventures has partnered with Cave Tours Bonaire to offer an adventurous combo tour. Visitors can now experience a day to remember while exploring and learning about Bonaire’s underground and learn about the sub-terrestrial world, as well as enjoy the thrill of land sailing on a blokart above ground. Additionally, Bonaire Landsailing Adventures will expand its offerings to provide evening sessions in 2022. Located in the heart of Rincón and the only distillery in Bonaire, Cadushy Distillery has created a small-batch limited edition rum from distiller Eric Gietman’s own private stock of the award-winning and locally produced Rom Rincon. Aged in small barrels, each bottle of the Rom Rincón Limited Edition 2021 received extra care and attention to achieve a smooth, silky finish. Available for a limited time only, visitors can purchase a bottle packaged in a special gift box onsite at The Cadushy Distillery.

In the heart of Rincon, Cadushy is the island’s only distillery Photo Credit Cadushy

The iconic and luxurious Harbour Village, nestled on Bonaire’s only private white sand beach, now offers a complimentary concierge diving experience at Great Adventures Bonaire, its onsite dive operation. Available year-round, a personal dive concierge takes charge of guest equipment from check-in to check-out by loading/unloading and preparing equipment for travel.

Bonaire is home to a Flamingo breeding site that is open to visitors Photo Credit Bonaire Tourism

Sustainable Efforts

A ban on single-use plastic carrier bags, stars, stirrers, and cutlery will take effect in March 2022 as the island grows towards a cleaner and healthy living environment with less litter.

Since 2021, Reef Renewal Bonaire, a local group that preserves and restores Bonaire’s reef through sustainable community involvement, has produced 2,500 certified reef renewal divers. 7,500 new pieces of coral were planted in 2021 and divided over the 10 coral restoration sites in Bonaire. Currently, 80% of all local dive Centers in Bonaire are participating in the reef renewal program.

For entry requirements, visit BonaireCrisis.com for the most updated COVID protocols and travel requirements to the island.

Donkeys are delighted to pose for nature photographers Photo Credit Bonaire Tourism

About Bonaire

The world’s first Blue Destination, surrounded by shores renowned for unrivaled scuba diving as well as year-round sunshine, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is a blissful beach escape bursting with history and culture as colorful as its architecture and tropical fish. Long recognized as a diver’s paradise, Bonaire’s renewed focus on celebrating its pristine ocean, abundant nature, and rich heritage, has helped evolve the destination into one of luxury, culture, and adventure. Now home to a burgeoning culinary scene, the likes of Michelin star talent have anchored some brilliant new options for foodies on the island, while elevated accommodations from luxury villas to beachfront boutique hotels are attracting a variety of sophisticated travelers from around the globe. Bonaire’s animal sanctuaries, National Parks, and interesting landscapes, ranging from salt flat coastlines to cactus-filled stretches of desert, are a must-visit for nature lovers. Abounding with outdoor activities such as kayaking, caving, and kite surfing, the island is also a hotspot for adventure seekers ready to explore. The regeneration of its spectacular coral reefs includes a commitment to the sustainable use of ocean resources and pursuit of conscientious social and economic development, positioning Bonaire as one of the Caribbean’s most eco-friendly islands. To learn more about Bonaire, please visit www.tourismbonaire.com or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BonaireTourism, Twitter: @BonaireTourism, Instagram: @bonairetourism and YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/BonaireTourismTCB.