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Cayman Islands
Travel on Vacations
Bonaire
Eating out in Bonaire
Dining in Bonaire runs the gamut from barhap (bar snacks) to fast food, beach cook-outs, and world-class gourmet delicacies. Pastechis, a local delight of spiced meat, shrimp or fish rolled in pastry, finds its way onto tables at every occasion. Cocada is a local candy made from coconut. You'll have a choice of the tasty local fare as well as cuisine from around the world including Indonesian, Tex-Mex, French, and Italian. Common ingredients include plantain, okra, conch, and cactus. If you're feeling adventurousàreally adventurousàtry the iguana.
Gourmet
Rendez-Vous Restaurant and Espresso Bar's chef is a 3-time member of the Bonaire National Culinary Team. The entrees have a decidedly French flair, with a touch of Creole for some real spice. Fresh seafood is the star of the show, and beautiful Caribbean-style caramel custard is a sweet ending to your day. Kralendijk.
Highly Recommended
De Tuin eetcafe/Cybercafe is a funky, techy, modern hotspot in the middle of all that serene nature. Its bright orange and blue colors are cheerful and fun and go right along with experimental cuisine that incorporates Asian influence, Mediterranean style, and local ingredients. In addition to the tasty fare, if habit has you longing for a flash of stock quotes and a bit of e-mail, you can go online here in the island's only cybercafe. Kralendijk.
Local Flair
The Beefeater is a garden café featuring paintings and handicrafts by local artists, and pure Bonaire fare. Dine al fresco in a secluded courtyard, and try the specialties like plantain soup, Kabrito Stoba (goat stew), and the many curried dishes. There is also an extensive bar and wine list. Kralendijk.
Romantic
Dock of the Bay serves a sumptuous breakfast buffet of local fruits, breads, egg dishes, and other breakfast goodies, accompanied by champagne. Return at the end of the day for international fare and a perfect sunset view over the sea. Fresh, homemade fruit ice creams are a house specialty. Kralendijk.
Going party in Bonaire
If Bonaire's delights lave you wanting more then the sun sets, more is what you'll find! Take a moonlight sail, go night snorkeling/diving to see countless more creatures that hide by day, or put on your party hat and take your pick from beachfront bars, high-rolling casinos, discos and more. Most of the action is centered in Kralendijk, which makes it easy to hop around and try it all.
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort
A casual atmosphere for playing games of luck and skill in the world's first barefoot casino. Other attractions include an oceanside bar and al fresco restaurant, open for an all night party except on Sundays.
Karel's Beach Bar
The staff serves up cappuccino, more potent drinks and barhap, and hosts excellent local bands on the weekend. This spot is recommended by repeat visitors as a great weekend party.
Plaza Resort
This casino doesn't expect you to wear suits and dresses, but "smart casuals" are the minimal dress code. Betting starts at US$1, so everyone can jump in and try their luck until 4:00am, 7 days a week. There's always a good party going at the Coconut Crash bar and exotic refreshments are served at sunset on the white sand, palmed beach.
Captain Don's Habitat
Plenty of fun for everyone with 2 bars, the Deco Stop Bar and Rum Runners. At the Deco, enjoy refreshments in a private swimming pool and secluded lagoon. Rum Runners features a weekly rum punch party.
Paradiso Discotheque
This is the best place to get in the groove while DJs spin hot dance music into the early morning hours. Dress is semi-formal.
The Dome's
A satellite dish and big screen TV shows all major international sporting events live! Inexpensive meals and an impressive bar accompany soccer, Grand Prix, Major League baseball, NBA games, golf, tennis, boxing, and NFL games.
Common events in Bonaire
The Underwater Cleanup Dive
Explore Bonaire's legendary reefs and contribute to their survival. Free air is provided, so come help save the marine environment! Monthly.
Maskarada
Fanfare embodies Bonaire's festive spirit with traditional dance, music, and instruments, as well as rarely exhibited folk dress. Catch a local legend, the Grupo Folklorio. January.
Simadan Festival
Celebrate the island's African heritage with traditional instruments like the marimba, bari (small drum) karko guitar (conch shell) and quarta (four-stringed guitar). Feast your eyes on the stunning costumes, and your taste buds on traditional delicacies. April.
Bonaire's Dive Festival
Nightly cocktail parties, seminars on underwater photography, slideshows and, of course, plenty of scuba diving! June.
Regatta Week
The entire island participates in one of the best events of the year. Part of the fun is the Regatta Boulevard Streetshow, including mariachi bands, jazz, reggae, dance, and parades. As you might imagine, the streets throb with revelry! October.
International Triathlon
Events include a 1km swim in the ocean, a 40km flat territory road course or 25 km rugged off-road course for cyclists, and a 10km run through Kralendijk. November.