Why we love islands so much? They usually have everything: from perfect white beaches and romantic hideaways to breathtaking nature. Bonaire too has that perfect mix of holiday beach fun and beautiful flora and fauna. If you love this, make sure to visit the northeast of the island. Here you’ll find Washington Slagbaai National Park, a protected park of 55 square kilometers where nature grows freely. You can hike here for hours, but to see as much as possible it might be better to visit the park with your four-wheel drive. You might spot the Warawara – the biggest bird of prey on the island – or a silver snake. Although chances are bigger you’ll spot a giant iguana. The park has a lot of beautiful beaches, like Boka Kokolishi, where the waves are so strong it’s too dangerous to swim. Deep in the park you’ll find a bright yellow building near Boka Slagbaai, where you can get a fresh beer and safely swim in the brightest blue water you’ve ever seen. If you’re more into bird watching, make sure to park on a hidden spot on the other side of the road, where hundreds of flamingos will land every afternoon.
A must: try to meet chief ranger George. He will either welcome you with a bright smile at the entrance of the park, or you’ll find him in his office behind the museum. He can tell you more about the island than you’ll ever read in any tourist guide. And he knows everything about the sea, even though he never swims in it himself with, because: “You can’t smile under water, and there is so much to smile about.”