History

Bonaire's history From the first inhabitants, the Caiquetios (a branch of the

Arawak Indians) who sailed from the coast of Venezuela almost 1000 years ago, to the many cultures now living and working in Bonaire today, the island has a distinct character that is all its own.

The first Europeans came to Bonaire in 1499, when Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci arrived and claimed it for Spain. Finding little of commercial value and seeing no future for large-scale agriculture, the Spanish decided not to develop the island. Instead, they unceremoniously enslaved the Indians and moved them off to work in the plantations on the Island of Hispanolia, effectively leaving the island unpopulated.

The name Bonaire is thought to have originally come from the Caiquetio word 'Bonay', a name that meant low country. The early Spanish and Dutch modified its spelling to Bojnaj and also Bonaire. The French influence while present at various times never was strong enough to make the assumption that the name means 'good air'. Regardless of how the name came about, the island remained as a lonely outpost until 1526.

It was in that year, 1526, that cattle were brought to the island by then

governor Juan de Ampues. Some of the Caiquetios were returned to act as

laborers and in a few years, the island became a center for raising other

animals such as sheep, goats, pigs, horses and donkeys. Since they were being raised more for their skins and not their meat, they required little tending and were allowed to roam and fend for themselves.

The result was large herds of animals that far outnumbered the population.

Today, there are a number of wild donkeys that still inhabit the Kunuku

(outback) and many goats can also be seen foraging in less populated areas of the island.

Bonaire's early years were not ones of prosperity. Her inhabitants were mostly convicts from other Spanish Colonies in South America. The only permanent settlement was the village of Rincon, located far inland where it was thought to be safe from marauding pirates. In those years, development was discouraged in favor of the richer, more productive colonies.

In 1633, the Dutch took possession of Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba. The largest island, Curacao, emerged as a center of the notorious slave trade. Bonaire then became a plantation island belonging to the Dutch West Indies Company. It was during those early years that the first African slaves were forced to work, cutting dyewood and cultivating maize and harvesting solar salt. Grim reminders of those days still remain in the form of slave huts and salt pans which were laboriously constructed by hand. They are an important part of the island'sheritage and have been left to stand mute testimony to Bonaire's repressive beginning. Tropicana Apartments hebben een roadmap beschikbaar waar de slavenhutten staan aangegeven

Until 1816, ownership of Bonaire changed hands a number of times, finallybeing returned that year to the Dutch as a result of the Treaty of Paris. A small fort, Fort Oranje, was built to protect the island's main resource, salt. Salt was one commodity that Bonaire had in endless supply, although it took back breaking slave labor to produce it. In the early days of the industry, the most important use for salt was in the preservation of food, since refrigeration was still centuries away.

By 1837, Bonaire was a thriving center of salt production. The government, who by then controlled the industry, built four obelisks, each painted a different color, red, white, blue and orange (the colors of the Dutch Flag and the Royal House of Orange). They were erected strategically near areas of the salt lake. The idea was to signal ships where to pick up their cargoes of salt. A flag of the corresponding color was raised atop a flagpole, thus signalling the ship's captain where to drop anchor. Three of the obelisks can still be seen today. The abolition of slavery in 1863 signaled an end to the era of exploitation of those first Bonaireans. It was almost a hundred years later that the salt industry was revitalized. Today it is a division of Cargill, Incorporated, one of the largest businesses in the world. It also was during this time that the island began to attract visitors.

Tourism was born when the island government constructed the first ship's pier in the harbor. It allowed cruise ships to tie up alongside the wharf and discharge passengers. It also made it easier to bring in goods and supplies for the island's residents. Hotels began to spring up and cater to the early visitors who enjoyed the tranquility of Bonaire. In 1943, the construction of a modernairport south of Kralendijk made it even easier for tourists to reach the island.

The history continues to be written. The people of Bonaire are part of the past and are proud of what they have accomplished on an island that was abandoned hundreds of years ago and deemed useless by the Spanish. As for the future, Bonaireans welcome progress but have made a conscious decision to take time out and step back and to look at how it will impact their island and their lives. They have learned to balance their growth with the environment.

Culture

The Bonairean culture is reflected in the faces of her people. Its origins are

as varied as are the ethnic roots of the 11,000 plus residents. The real

Bonairean culture is based on traditions that go back many generations and are chronicled in the songs and dances that are performed during holidays and festivals. It is also based on strong family ties and a general respect for

nature and an understanding of an environment that originally was foreign to those first settlers and slaves that were forced to work the inhospitable, arid land. Those early days of slavery conditioned the people to be strong in the face of adversity. And, it was during this time that the spirit of the people began to develop and they made up songs, invented dances and began to sing in the old African Tradition. These songs and dances evolved into festivals and have survived to become an important part of life and culture on Bonaire. The dances of the Simidan and the Bari are the best known. The traditional Waltz, Mazurka and the Polka and the local "Baile di Sinta" (ribbon dance) were performed as well as the Rumba, the Carioca and Merengue which came from other islands. American Jazz also influenced the local traditions of song and dance. Along with an eclectic assortment of homemade musical instruments, those early performers set the stage for a rich, local tradition which continues on to this very day.

There are quite a few festivals that occur through out the year. The calender of events will alert visitors to those that are taking place during their particular vacation period. The period from January 1-6 is Maskarada, while the Spring Harvest Festival occurs from the end of February until the end of April, and the summer months celebrate Dia di San Juan and Dia di San Pedro. Bari runs from the end of October to the end of December.

Many of the festivals are regional. It may be strange that an island this small has regional differences, but the fact is that there are some subtle and not so subtle differences from neighborhood to neighborhood. The Village of Rincon is perhaps more apt to celebrate all the holidays in grand style, while the village of North Salina devotes a lot of energy to Maskarada. The best example of strong cultural ties is during Dia Di Rincon (Rincon Day). Thousands of participants come from all the Antilles and Aruba to celebrate. The cultural tradition continues to be influenced to this day. Visitors may just as well enjoy a Mariacci band or a local group perform on the same venue. Some of the most beautiful music you will hear may be a Mozart or Vivaldi piece played with an Antillean beat.

Nature at its Best

Arguably, Bonaire's main attraction is its natural beauty, both above water and below.

Below the water, colors and movement abound, dazzling the eye, while the

mysterious crunching and clicking one hears offers a soothing balm to the soul. Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by the life below the waves. Corals, fish, crustaceans, nudibranchs, and even the occasional aquatic mammal are among those giving live to Bonaire's fringing reef and marine environment.Don't miss a quick look at Bonaire's Underwater Web Cam, additional web cams show the shoreline as well.

Above the water line, Bonaire's hauntingly beautiful and serene landscape,

carved by millennia of wind, water, and earth movements, stimulates the senses. Cactus of numerous species, divi trees, and a variety of other flora dot the land, with patches of fossilized coral, natural caves, and volcanic rock fill the spaces. Fauna of the avian kind fill the air, including the rare flamingo, while Bonaire's own iguanas and other lizards can be found in the vegetation. Op de muur die Tropicana appartementen omringt liggen vaak leguanen te zonnenbaden.

While not native to Bonaire, donkeys and goats can also be found in and about that same vegetation.

And, above the land, the sky is decorated with amorphous, soft wisps clouds but rarely does rain touch Bonaire's arid land. Sun touches it all day long while the constant wind cools the land. Bonaire's weather is a key contributor to its nature, and to the island's popularity with its residents and visitors.

Marine Environment

The ocean around Bonaire, whether above the water's surface or below, is

Bonaire's biggest attraction, by far. Snorkelers, scuba divers, windsurfers,

and sailors spend hours plumbing its depths or skimming its surface. Bonaire's fringing reef system is a national park protected to a depth of 200 feet all around the island and around Klein Bonaire, the small uninhabited island located in the lee, to the west, of Bonaire. STINAPA and the Bonaire Marine Park strive to inform residents and visitors how best to preserve and protect the resources of our oceans. No anchoring is allowed on the reef and special dive moorings have been installed to allow easy access to the reef without further damaging this fragile system. Additional moorings for visiting yachts are available on a first-come basis

off Kralendijk's harbor area. Some current research studies being done on island are: Mangroves in Lac Bay, preservation of Conch, and Fish and Reef checks.

Strictly underwater, we have an array of fun little critters to make you smile

like our frogfish. Frogfish are up to 4 or 5 inches long and come in an

assortment of colors including bright yellow, red, green, white, black, and

even pink. These little guys usually rest on sponges, move around by hopping along on finned feet. Ask your dive master where to look for one, and remember: Don't touch the marine life!

Klein Bonaire's small beaches offer nesting to Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles, while Green and Leatherback turtles are occasionally sighted in our waters as well (but have not been seen nesting here). If you sight a turtle small or large, use the forms available at local dive shops to report it. If you do visit the beaches on Klein Bonaire please don't walk through the dunes or any areas which may be marked off, turtle nests can easily be damaged by the weight of a human walking across it.

Scuba Diving

Just about everyone knows that "SCUBA" is an acronym for Self Contained Under Water Breathing Apparatus. The sport has become extremely popular in the last two decades, due in part to places like Bonaire, which has taken great pains to preserve the underwater world by establishing one of the first marine parks in the Caribbean. The other reason Bonaire has become such a popular destination is the wide variety of fish life and the ease of diving that the island offers.Tropicana Apartments heeft een package deals met verschillende duikorganisaties.

Dive Conditions

Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean.

Because the waters around Bonaire are designated as an official marine park, diving Bonaire is like diving the Caribbean the way it used to be - untouched and unspoiled. The island's location in the south Caribbean gives it an arid climate with little rain fall; consequently, the waters are exceptionally clear of silt, calm, and diveable year round. It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Water temperatures average a warm 78-84°F (25.6-28.9°C), with visibility averaging over 100 feet (30m), and frequently reaching up to 150 feet (50m).

The dozen or so Dive Operators are all members of CURO, the Council of

Underwater Resort Operators. As members, they participate in establishing

standards and uniform practices that, along with the Bonaire Marine Park Rules, have worked to preserve our reefs and the fragile ecosystem of the reef. Bonaire Dive Orientation

If you are planning a trip to Bonaire and have a dive/hotel package you will be given a thorough dive orientation and briefing before your first dive on the island. One of the Bonaire Marine Park Regulations is for all visitors to do a check-out dive as part of the briefing process before taking off on their own to shore dive or going on a dive boat. The main reasons for this are to have each diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated and also to check out their dive equipment, whether it be rented or owned. Also, every diver on Bonaire must purchase a marine Park Tag valid for one calendar year. Orientation procedures vary from dive center to dive center, so it's a good idea to check in early.

Recompression Chamber In case of a diving accident or emergency, Bonaire has one of the Caribbean's best staffed recompression chamber. The chamber is located adjacent to the San Francisco Hospital Emergency Room, and people in need of treatment must go to

the hospital to gain access to the chamber.

The Bonaire Marine Park The fringing reef which surrounds Bonaire is a National Marine Park from the high water mark down to a depth of 200 feet/ 60m . Every diver who has not dived on Bonaire within the last calendar year must attend a diver orientation dealing with Bonaire Marine Park regulations and information. These orientation sessions are usually held at around 9AM the morning after you arrive on Bonaire, and you are required to attend and to obtain your Marine Park tag, which is necessary to legally dive in Bonaire's waters. The cost of the tag is US$10, and proceeds help support park management and services.

Snorkeling

Did you know that world-wide, snorkelers outnumber divers by a wide margin? The fact that less than 50% Bonaire's visitors are scuba divers is also a statistic that proves that you don't have to go under the water to enjoy our beautiful marine park.

If you can swim, you can put on a mask and start enjoying the wonderful sea creatures and the coral formations. You will be able to float effortlessly and observe the feeding and courtship rituals of the reefs many residents. There is nothing in Bonaire's water that is dangerous, but be sure not to touch anything as you may harm it and disturb the delicate natural balance of the reef. Snorkeling is great entertainment for all member of the family no matter what the age. Be sure to protect yourself against the sun by using a waterproof sun block, especially on your shoulders and the backs of your legs.

Night Snorkeling is another experience that should not be missed Everything

changes at night. All that is needed is a flashlight and some protection for

exposed arms and legs. Night snorkeling can be done in any snorkeling area you are familiar with (snorkel it during daytime first). Enjoy the wonders of the ever changing ocean at night while some fish are sleeping and other critters are just starting their day. Tropicana Apartments have flashlights for rent for the night snorkeling.

Snorkeling Tips

If you can float, you can snorkel. In the calm Caribbean Sea you will find it

easy to float due to the fact that salt water is more dense than fresh, so you will be able to "ride" higher on the surface than in lakes or swimming pools at home. If you have any doubt at all about your ability or comfort level while swimming, just find a beach with a sandy bottom, walk in to waist deep water and lay down on your back. 99.9% of the people will float comfortably. Of course, you are not going to snorkel on your back, so stand up, put on a mask, and insert the mouthpiece, put your face in the water and breathe. (Those that don't float naturally can avail themselves of a flotation device, such as a snorkeling vest.)

It's a bit difficult sometimes for first timers to get used to the different

breathing pattern, but with a bit of practice, you should be able to master the skill. The next thing to do, if you are still timid, is lie down on your

stomach and try breathing with your face in the water. Try to swim a few

strokes. If you were not using fins as yet, now would be a good time to try

them out.

Cycling and Biking

Mountain biking and cycling have become a popular way to explore Bonaire, and 21-speed TREK or 21-speed Giant bikes, specially outfitted for off road

exploring, are available for rental. Many of the local bike rental companies

also conduct tours through the Kunuku (outback) following the hundreds of miles of paths (using orange

painted stone markers) and also through Washington/Slagbaai National Park.

Many of the trips follow along the coastline and make stops allowing time for picnicking and a swim or snorkel. Some of the trails pass through the village of Rincon, the oldest settlement on Bonaire. You also will have a chance to pass by Gotomeer; the landlocked salt lake, where you are bound to run into a few of Bonaire's famous pink flamingoes.

   

Travel tips

AIR FIELD Flamingo Airport has a runway of almost 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length,long enough to accommodate 747 Jumbo Jets. The airport's designation is BON.

BANKS Bonaire has a number of banks, all of which have ATMs located conveniently around the island. Banking hours are Monday through Friday 8 or 8:30am until 3:30 or 4pm. Some are opened during the lunch hour.

CURRENCY The Netherlands Antilles Guilder (NAFl.) is fixed at the exchange rate of 1.77 to the dollar for cash and 1.78 for traveler's cheques. Most stores and businesses exchange it at 1.75. You can spend dollars everywhere, but will likely receive your change in guilders. Traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted. Be sure to have your passport or positive ID when changing Traveler's cheques at banks.

CLIMATE The average air temperature is 82º Fahrenheit (30ºC) and 75% relative humidity. Average water temperature is 80ºF (29ºC). Rainfall averages 22" (52.8cm) per year. There is a constant trade wind that generally makes the evenings cool and comfortable. Average windspeed is 15 mph (25kph).

CUSTOMS Besides articles for personal use, visitors over 15 are allowed 400

cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of distillated beverages, 2 liters of wine.

DEPARTURE TAX

International departure tax is US$20 per person, payable upon departure. This is usually not included in your airline ticket but some tour companies may include it. Domestic departure tax is Nafl 10,00.

DRESS CODE Casual (but no beach wear) downtown. Evening clothes are casual to casual nice. Topless sunbathing and nudity is prohibited on beaches except for Sorobon beach resort (a privately owned nudist resort). See our religion page for appropriate church attire.

DRINKING AGE, CASINO/GAMBLI NG AGE, AND DRUG LAWS

The legal drinking age on Bonaire is 18 for both beer and other alcohol.

The legal age for gambling in a casino is 21.

The Netherlands Antilles has its own drug laws which are not the same as

Holland. Our drug laws are not lenient.

DRINKING WATER The water is distilled from seawater and is perfectly safe to drink.

DRIVING LICENSE Foreign and international licenses are accepted.

Electricity 127 volt, 50 cycle. 220 volt is also available at some resorts. Most U.S. appliances will work, however a bit hotter. Dive shops and resorts have stations for guest use for charging camera batteries, etc. It is recommended that you use them to avoid damage to delicate equipment.

EMERGENCIES Bonaire has the 60-bed hospital, Hospitaal San Francisco (Kaya Soeur Bartola #2, Kralendijk), and a number of doctors. There is an ambulance plane on call for emergencies. A hyperbaric recompression chamber is located adjacent to the hospital and is run by a highly trained staff - admittance via the emergency room at the hospital. The emergency phone number for the ambulance is 114.

Entry Requirements US and Canadian citizens must have a valid Passport and a return or ongoing ticket. A Birth Certificate with a picture ID is also

acceptable.

FERRY SERVICES

Many people ask but unfortunately there is NO ferry services of any kind between Aruba, Curacao or Venezuela and Bonaire. Scheduled travel between these destinations are limited to air travel. It might be possible to charter a boat for your own personal tour.

LANGUAGE: Papiamentu (local language), Dutch, English and Spanish.

LOCATION: 50 miles (80 Km) north of Venezuela and 86 miles (94 Km) east of Aruba, well outside of the hurricane belt. POPULATION +/- 11,000 people SIZE Bonaire is 24 miles long (38.6 km) and 3-5 miles (4.8 -8 km)wide, 112 sq. miles (180 sq. km) in area.

Klein Bonaire, an island off our west coast, is 1500 acres.

STORE HOURS Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from between 8 or 9 AM until 12 noon when they close for one to two hours, then remain open until 6 PM. Hours vary widely and some stay open during lunch hour. The larger supermarkets are open from 7:30 or 8 AM until 7 PM (may close during lunch) and some may be open on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM.

TAXES. TIPPING, SERVICE CHARGES

There is a 5% tax on virtually all goods and services (NAOB tax). A room tax of US$ 5.50-$6.50 is also charged per person per day. A departure tax of US$20 is levied for international destinations via the airport, US$5.75 for other Antillean including Aruba. Car rental tax is US$3.50 per day.

Tipping is much the same as in the States. Some restaurants add a 10-15% service charge automatically, so if in doubt, ask.

Taxis - generally a 10% tip is greatly apppreciated. In dive shops, etc. 10% is also the norm.

TAXI

Taxis are available at the airport. From other locations you may call the taxi

stand at the airport at Tel. 8100

TELEPHONE

Direct dialing is possible from most resorts. AT&T, MCI, etc. can also be

accessed. The local telephone office, TELBO can also place calls to all

locations. For on island calls, dial just the last seven digits.

For cell phone users, you can rent a cellular phone for the length of your stay with CellularOne 717-8787. If you have a TDMA phone, CellularOne can also offer local service, contact them for details. Telbo, the local phone company also offers a similar service - 717-7000. GSM phones are not supported on Bonaire.

TELEVISION Hotels offer 22 cable channel viewing including premium movie

channels, ESPN. CNN, Disney, Spanish and German language channels as well as the local station TV 11. Bonaire uses the NTSC system

TIME ZONE Atlantic Standard Time. Same time as the United States East Coast during Daylight Savings Time (mid-Spring to mid-Fall). Bonaire does not change time for Daylight Savings, as is the custom in the US and Europe.

TOURISM SEASONS High Season Winter/Spring: Dec. 15 - Apr. 14

Low Season Summer/Fall: Apr. 15 - Dec. 14

Windy Season: May - Aug, moderate wind Jan-Apr

Rainy Season: Nov. - Jan.

VACCINATIONS

No vaccinations or preventative medications are recommended for travel to

Bonaire. Yellow fever and Malaria are not a problem here. The Center for

Disease Control in the the US offers updates and advisories for travellers.