The tiny Caribbean island that will capture your heart.
Before you travel to Bonaire, here are 15 quick facts to know about this unique Caribbean island.
1. Bonaire is one of the "ABC Islands" - Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao - known for their close proximity to one another. 🇧🇶
2. The island is only 24 miles long and 9 miles wide, with a population of roughly 20,000. 🌵 The island is arid, so expect to see a lot of cactus!
3. In 2010, the island became a special municipality (officially, a "Caribbean public body") within the country of the Netherlands. 🇳🇱 It is governed by Dutch law.
4. Bonaire is truly a melting pot of culture and there are 4 main languages spoken on the island: Dutch, English, Papamientu & Spanish. 🗣
5. Bonaire is a leader in nature conservation. More than 20% of the total land area of Bonaire is designated as a National Park, and the entire coastline of Bonaire was designated a marine sanctuary in 1979. 🐠
6. Bonaire lies outside of the hurricane belt, which makes it a popular destination for "cruisers" - people that travel while living aboard a boat. ⛵️
7. Bonaire has produced several world champion Wind Surfers and Kite Surfers. It's one of the best places in the world to learn these sports, alongside the pros! 🌎
8. There are more than 400 caves under the island, some of which you can (and should) explore alongside a local guide: Go Caving Bonaire
9. Bonaire provides some stunning scenery for hikers. The Washington Slagbaai National Park is one of the best spots on island to for hiking & walking. 🥾
10. Kralendijk is the capital city and main port of Bonaire. The name comes from the Dutch word for "coral reef". ⚓️
12. There are more than 350 species of fish 60 species of coral living in Bonaire's reef. 😳
13. Bonaire has one of the largest Flamingo populations in the world! 🦩
14. Bonaire has several nicknames, among them: "Diver's Paradise", "The Velcro Island", and "Dushi Bonaire". 🤿
15. Dushi is a complimentary phrase that you will hear often on the island. It means "sweet", "sweetheart" or "tasty". It is derived from the Spanish word "dulce" for candy. 🍭
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