Best Things To Do in Bonaire for Families: Ultimate Guide to the Caribbean Netherlands

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Bonaire (especially for families), we’ve got you covered! This small Caribbean island, part of the Dutch Caribbean, surprised us in the best way with such an awesome mix of hiking, coastal scenery, history and wildlife. We traveled here with our three little kids (ages 5, 3, and 1 at the time of visiting) so we’ll also highlight the best stops for families.

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Top Things to Do in Bonaire with or Without Kids

1. Discover Kralendijk

Kralendijk is the capital of Bonaire where you will find the colorful Dutch Caribbean architecture you think of when you see photos of this beautiful island. Here you can also enjoy waterfront dining and extensive shopping opportunities.

How Long to Spend Here: This can be a great place to start or end your day exploring Bonaire or if you have more time, spend an entire afternoon here.

2. Stop to Explore a Secret Cave

This secret cave is a wonderful little stop that’s perfect for anyone looking for things to do in Bonaire that are off the beaten tourist path. Stop for a quick walk down to explore the cave there are steps to a main area you can walk around and additional steps that go down to some water. Note: Watch little ones closely as the stairs are steep and the terrain is quite rocky.

How Long to Spend Here: Plan to spend about 15-30 minutes here.

3. Check out the 1,000 Steps and Walk Along the Coast – One of my Favorite Things to Do in Bonaire

This is NOT 1,000 steps, it’s less than 100 so don’t be intimidated by the name but this spot is so beautiful. Walk down the stone steps while you take in amazing views of the ocean. Then walk along the beach for a mini coastal stroll. Once you make your way to the far side of the beach you’ll find a stone staircase to head back up. You’ll end right in Karpata (see our next stop below).

Our 5 and 3 year old were able to do this walk without any physical issues (complaints only) and the baby did great in the carrier. Overall the whole thing will take about 30 minutes or less. Our guide picked us up on the Karpata end but if you’re driving yourself, just do everything in reverse to get back to your car before continuing on.

If you have more time to spend here, this is also a great spot for snorkeling. Be sure to bring water shoes if you’re planning to snorkel as the shore here is quite rocky.

How Long to Spend Here: If you want to spend some time snorkeling, plan to spend a few hours here. Otherwise, this is an easy 20-30 minute stop. If you need to walk back to your car plan a bit more time to walk back.

4. Wander the Abandoned Site of Karpata

After you walk along the coast you’ll end in Karpata. Across the street you’ll find an abandoned plantation building which used to be used as a marine ecology institute before it ran out of funding. If you’re into historical and cultural stops, this is a great one for you. For the littles, my kids loved exploring the building and driving their toy cars through all the leaves (obvi).

How Long to Spend Here: 15-20 minutes. We used this as a break point for refreshments.

5. Go Flamingo Spotting at Lake Goto

Another one of the best things to do in Bonaire is a stop at Lake Goto – a beautiful saltwater lagoon surrounded by hills and filled with wildlife. Don’t miss this stop if you’re in the area. My favorite thing was watching all the wild flamingoes and birds and taking in the beautiful scenery. My kids didn’t care much for the views but they loved using binoculars to see the flamingoes and up close. I definitely wish we would have had more time to explore here.

Consider stopping at the Goto Lake Viewpoint, where benches overlook the lagoon and surrounding countryside. Binoculars and zoom camera lenses are great for closer up views of the wildlife in this area.

How Long to Spend Here: 15-30 minutes to take in the views and the wildlife.

6. Explore the Cultural Town of Rincon

Rincon is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on Bonaire and is often described as the cultural heart of the island. While many people pass over Rincon for Kralendik, Rincon offers a completely different experience. Walk through the village, explore the St. Ludovicus Bertrandus Church (the largest historic church on the island), and explore Mangazina di Rei (a restored building now operating as a cultural museum).

How Long to Spend Here: We mostly just passed through Rincon but if we had more time I would have loved to spend 30-60 min exploring the town. However, if you’re short on time, this is an easy place to skip.

7. Explore the Historic Slave Huts

Along the southern coast, you’ll find small white and orange huts that were once used by enslaved workers during the salt industry era. They are very important in the history of the island of Bonaire and while little kids may not care for the cultural significance, they’ll definitely love running through all the little homes pretending like they live there.

How Long to Spend Here: This is an easy 15-20 minute stop (unless your kids don’t want to leave).

8. Visit the Pink Salt Flats

While you’re visiting the southern end of Bonaire you’ll quickly notice the striking pink salt ponds and massive white salt pyramids. These flats are so unique and are quite a sight to see in real life. How often can you say you visited a pink lake?!

How Long to Spend Here: 5-10 minutes for a quick photo stop

9. Visit the Donkey Sanctuary or Find Wild Donkeys – One of the Kid’s Favorite Things to Do in Bonaire

One of my favorite things about Bonaire was all of the wild donkeys we would find throughout the day. It was so fun to be able to drive up to them and see them wandering about. This is so unique to Bonaire and not something you’ll see many other places. My kids absolutely LOVED the donkeys sticking their faces in the car and trying to see how many they could find during our drive.

You’ll find wild donkeys around the roads in Rincon, Washington Slagbaai National Park (generally on the north end of the island). Another way to see them is to visit the donkey sanctuary on the southern end of the island.

10. See Bonaire from Above at Seru Largu – Another One of My Favorite Things to Do in Bonaire

Seru Largu is known as one of Bonaire’s most iconic viewpoints and a must visit during your time in Bonaire. It is located in the center of the island and although it is over 400 feet above sea level, it is easily accessible by car which is great for those traveling with little ones. If you’re spending multiple days in Bonaire, be sure to try and visit Seru Largu during sunrise or sunset.

How long to spend here: 30 minutes to explore the area and take in the views.

11. Make a Stop at Sorobon Beach

Located on the eastern side of the island, Sorobon has a great beach that is perfect for families with young kids, paddle boarding and windsurfing (thanks to steady winds). The water here is warm, crystal-clear and shallow – making it one of the safest areas to swim on the island.

Other Amazing Things To Do in Bonaire

Here are a list of things we didn’t get a chance to do in Bonaire but would love to do on our next visit!

12. Try Something New with LandSailing

Such a unique experience in Bonaire, land sailing is a wild version of outdoor go karting with a giant sail above you. This would be such a memorable family experience, especially if you have older kids. Children must be 8+ to participate on their own but they will allow children 3-8 ride along with an adult.

13. Explore Washington Slagbaai National Park – One of the Best Things to do in Bonaire for Adventure Seekers

Washington Slagbaai National Park offers rugged landscapes, wildlife and coastal views. If you love hiking, scenic driving routes, hidden beaches and coves, and/or spotting flamingoes, iguanas and wild donkeys, then Washington Slagbaai National Park is for you. This is easily one of the best things to do in Bonaire if you want to experience the rugged side.

Washington Slagbaai National Park is expansive and has so much to do that you should really plan to spend an entire day there. When you do visit, be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and a sturdy vehicle as the roads can be rough.

14. Visit Klein Bonaire

Klein is an uninhabited island located right off the coast of the main island of Bonaire. Klein Bonaire will reward visitors with pristine, white sand beaches; minimal crowds; and some of the best snorkeling in Bonaire. Easily one of the top things to do in Bonaire for those who like to venture to less crowded areas.

To visit Klein Bonaire, you can take a water taxi from Kralendijk, which takes about 20-25 minutes and costs roughly $25 round trip.

How To Get Around in Bonaire

If you’re visiting Bonaire for a longer term vacation, renting a car will be your best option for getting around. Car rentals prices in Bonaire vary depending on time of year and what type of vehicle you need but are generally quite affordable.

If you’re someone that likes to explore at your own pace with more time, I’d highly recommend doing a drive yourself adventure through Bonaire. However, if you prefer to leave the driving up to a guide, I can’t recommend HopiBonaire Tours enough.

Visiting Bonaire on a Cruise

If you’re visiting Bonaire during a cruise stop, you have a lot of options for your day. My top recommendation would be to book a half-day tour with HopiBonaire – they provided an amazing opportunity to see so much of the island in only six hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bonaire a Good Place to Visit with Kids?

Bonaire has so much to do and is an absolutely wonderful place to visit with kids. If you have little kids, spend time exploring beaches, lakes, and all the wonderful wildlife Bonaire (especially donkeys and flamingos) has to offer. With older kids, don’t miss the amazing snorkeling, hiking and adventurous opportunities like land surfing. We will absolutely return to Bonaire with kids someday and highly recommend it for families.

When is the Best Time to Visit Bonaire

The best overall time to visit Bonaire is between December and April. This is the driest, most pleasant weather. However, it is also high season so prepare for more tourists and higher prices. If you’re planning to visit during high season, be sure to book accommodations, tours and rentals well in advance.

For the best value, consider traveling May through August for fewer crowds, cheaper prices and great weather.

Final Thoughts

Bonaire is a beautiful Dutch island in the Caribbean offering a wide variety of activities depending on what part of the island you want to explore. There are so many things to do in Bonaire that you can easily spend one day or over a week here with plenty to keep you busy. This is one of the most unique islands I’ve ever seen in the Caribbean – don’t sleep on Bonaire for your next Caribbean vacation.

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