Bonaire, an island municipality of the Netherlands, lies off Venezuela’s coast in the southwest Caribbean sea. Our reef-lined coast is protected by Bonaire National Marine Park. Beyond the rich marine life, the island shelters lizards, donkeys, and birds within its immense Washington Slagbaai National Park, marked by beaches, lagoons, caverns, and desert-like hills.
Bonaire is a place unlike any other. Here, less is more. The air we breathe is pure. The people radiate warmth like the sun in our idyllic blue skies. On Bonaire, Mother Nature and Human nature live in harmony. We nourish our island, and it returns the favor. While we’re fiercely protective, we are happy to invite you to explore our shores.
Why? It’s in our nature.
The Main Areas
Rincon
Rincon is the oldest village on Bonaire and the southern Caribbean that still exists. It is a very friendly town with a wide variety of cultural and historical attractions. First settled by the Spanish in the early 1500’s as its location was strategically nestled in a valley. People used to work in the salt pans on the south side of the island and lived in the beautiful village of Rincon surrounded by fertile land. They would make the commute home for the weekend by foot to be with friends and family.
THE FOOD & DRINK
The South American, Spanish, English, American, African, and Dutch influences have all left their mark on the cuisine of Bonaire. Some more than others, of course, which all led to the current local cuisine of
Bonaire called Krioyo. The combination of different cooking styles was born in the Caribbean.
Fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish can all be found in the dishes with a combination of sweet and salty flavors. People maintain traditional cooking methods and use many kinds of herbs and spices along with their creativity.
In Bonaire, you can also taste very rare fruits such as soursop, shimaruku (a cherry that only grows in Bonaire) and a small brown fruit called mispel. For those who want to escape the heat, the island offers a wide variety of ice creams and sorbets, from classic tastes to more exotic tastes like Ponche Crema and Rhum Raisin.
For us, sharing a traditional meal is the best way to bring families together and make new friends. We have reserved a spot for you!
Palito
Being a cousin of the pastechi, the palito is also a popular choice for breakfast with the locals.
You can make them bigger by using hotdogs or smaller by using half or a whole cocktail sausages.
Kaasbal
For the cheese lovers this is definitely a party favourite. Easy to make and everyone likes them.
A nice cheese ball rolled by hand and you can roll them as big or as small as you want. Once it hits the oil and the smell spreads around the kitchen, your tummy will be begging for a taste.
Piska Hasa
One of Bonaire's most typical meals is certainly the Piska Hasa.
This fish-based dish, accompanied by rice and a small salad will delight all gourmets.
After watching this video, you will only want to jump on the first plane to taste this dish!
THE STORIES
Bonaire takes over New York City
On January 24, the Dutch Caribbean Feast of Friends, an intimate event, showcased culinary delights and Bonaire’s history, with Bonairian chef Chelsey Domacasse preparing a flavorful interactive dinner. The following day, Bonaire and Curaçao hosted a Trade dinner, inviting New York travel agents to experience a unique dining event, highlighting the island’s culinary scene.
Hanna Bergsma
Hanna Bergsma, a project leader in Agriculture, Livestock, and Fishery (LVV) on Bonaire, studied animal management, specializing in goats, in the Netherlands. Her varied workday begins with feeding animals. To address the environmental impact of free-roaming goats due to scarce roughage, Hanna works to secure more roughage for farmers, aiding in nature restoration.
Jonathan Pourier
Jonathan Pourier works for Bienaventura BV, a Bonaire company producing eggs and meat products. They updated their egg packaging with contact details to engage consumers and build trust. Jonathan is driven by seeing Bonaire’s residents embrace local food production, fostering pride and connection to their island. For more information, email [email protected].
Bonaire Rum Week
Bonaire Rum Week, June 12-17, 2023, celebrates premium Caribbean rum in Bonaire, a Dutch Caribbean paradise renowned for diving and conservation. Enjoy beach parties, rum-pairing dinners, and sunset cocktails at waterfront venues. Highlights include a VIP event, a grand opening at Rum Runners, a Rum on the Beach party, and a rum-infused Taste of Bonaire. Organized by Caribbean Journal and Tourism Corporation Bonaire, it showcases the island’s culinary scene and vibrant spirit culture, perfect for rum enthusiasts and beach lovers.
Take a look at Bonaire Rum Week to get more information. For questions, contact [email protected]
