Bonaire National Marine Park

Casa Luna is located just a stone's throw away from a wide variety of diving sites, which form part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. The Bonaire National Marine Park (hereinafter: BNMP) is the oldest marine reserve in the world. The park was vested in 1979 and consists of 2600 hectare of coral reef, seewead and mangrove vegetation. The beatiful lagoon Lac Bay also forms part of the BNMP. In 1999 the BNMP was granted the honour of 'national park' and since 2001 the uninhabited island Klein Bonaire also forms part of the BNMP.

The west side of the island is covered with shore diving sites, you just walk in the water with your diving equipment. The diving sites around Klein Bonaire are accessible by boat. With the exception of a small part, the BNMP is freely accessible for divers. Divers pay a fee of US $ 25,- per year to make use of the BNMP. Other users, like surfers, kite boarders and other aquatic sporters pay a yearly fee of US $ 10,-. Next to nature preservation the BNMP provides information to divers and tourists about responsible diving and the BNMP takes care of anchorage for diving boats.

Washington Slagbaai National Park
The complet northern part of the island is a protected nature reserve, the Washington Slagbaai National Park.
The park covers 6000 hectares and was vested in 1969 as the first national park of the Dutch Antilles.
It consists of various types of living areas such as wells, salinas (salt lakes) and hills. Many birds, lizars and iguana find their living space in this park. The park is also interesting from a cultural and historical point of view, amongst others because of the plantations and the history of Slabaai. At the entrance of the park you will find a small museum wich provides information about these subjects. From the entrance you can also follow various hiking and mountain biking trails.

Klein Bonaire
In front of Kralendijk's coast you will see the uninhabited island Klein Bonaire ("Small Bonaire"). The island measures 700 hectares, is completely flat and has beautiful white beaches. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. The beaches on the northern and western part of the island are important breeding places for the sea turtles. The island can be visited by water taxi boat from the harbour of Kralendijk.

Lac / Sorobon
Lac is a magnificent and shallow lagoon in the southeastern part of Bonaire. The colour of the water is of an unlikely shade of turquoise. The area is surrounded by mangrove vegetation. It is possible to visit a part of the mangrove woods by kayak or (silent) boat. The place is furthermore very popular for windsurfing and there are two windsurf schools where you can take lessons. Even more important: there are two quite relaxed hangouts / beach hut's where you can take a drink or have lunch.

Salt Lake
The salt lake and flamingo reserve form part of the big water area on the southwestern part of the island. This area is the most important living and feeding domain of the flamingos. Depending on the time of the year, 2000 till 7000 flamingos live in this region and it is possible to examine this beautiful birds nearby. The flamingo reserve is the most important breeding area for flamingos in the southern part of the Carribean and Bonaire will continue to protect the flamingo - which is also the islands mascotte - actively.

Caves
Bonaire has numerous caves, some of which endowed with indian inscriptions. Under guidance of a professional tour guide one can dive and snorkel in some of these caves.

Restaurants and other places to go out

Next to the restaurants and bars which are part of the big hotels, Kralendijk has a wide range of restaurants and bars, which vary from the Caribean, Italian, French, Dutch, till the Asian cuisine. The quality of the food varies from 'fast food' till haute cuisine. We also strongly recommend you to visit one or more of the local restaurants and taste from the local 'stoba's' (stews), soups and desserts. Please don't expect a steamy nightlife on Bonaire with huge discotheques which are open until the break of day... Nightlife on Bonaire means: cafe's and restaurants and hanging around on the boulevard or beach with nice drinks and live music. In Kralendijk especially 'Karel's Beach Bar' and 'City Cafe' are favourite hangouts. On sunday afternoons Bonairean families and tourists enjoy themselves at the Lac Bay shores, where a local band plays live music and several snackbars sell local fingerfood and drinks. Other locations to experience authentic food and going out are Rose Inn in the little village of Rincon or eating sate at Kunuku Jos, in the direction of Lac Bay. If you like to take a change in a casino, you can find one in the Flamingo Beach Hotel and in the Plaza Resort in Kralendijk.

Shopping on Bonaire
Bonaire is not particullary famous for its shopping possibilities. However, in the centre of Kralendijk you will find some rather exquisite jewelers next to some stores which sell clothes, souvenirs and local art.

Groceries
Although Bonaire is a rather small island, it has a remarkable number of supermarkets. You will be suprised about the choice of Dutch / European and American products. Vegetables and fruit are most of the time more expensive than in the Netherlands. This is caused by the fact that hardly any vegetables and fruit are cultivated on the island, so everything must be imported. On the other hand, meat is most of the time cheaper. In the centre of Kralendijk - near the town pier - you will finds some small vessels with Venezolean salesman which sell fresh fish and/or fruit and vegetables.

Other practical information

• vaccinations are not necessary, there are no tropical diseases on Bonaire
  

   

• Drinking water is safe and can be consumed without cooking
  
  

• There is adequate healthcare: a small hospital and sufficient general practitioners, dentists and pharmacies
  
  

• There are several internet cafe's and wifi is also available on the island
  

• Creditcards are accepted everywhere and you can also pay with Dollars
  
  

• Electricity: 110-130 Volt