What can you do on Bonaire without a car?

Reading time: 5 minutes · Written by: Gabriëla

Simply don't feel like driving during this vacation? Or just want to leave the car behind for a day and head out on foot? That is not a problem at all. It is good to know that Bonaire has no public transportation and that you cannot simply hail taxis on the street. Fortunately, there are plenty of other excellent options to explore the island.

Our advice: have a professional guide drive you around for (part of) the day. That way, you don't have to worry about traffic, you get to see the most beautiful spots on the island, and lunch is often included. The easiest way is to book this in advance directly through the provider's website!

Below you can read what a car-free vacation at AyoBonaire looks like in practice.

How do you get from Flamingo Airport to Villa Carolina without a car?

With a pre-arranged transfer or taxi, for about $25. You can travel easily and directly from Flamingo Airport to AyoBonaire:

• Personal transfer via host Milly: for $25 per person (one way), our local host Milly can arrange a reliable transfer for you to or from the airport.
• Pre-booking a taxi: you can do this online via www.bonaire-taxi.com. For a comparable rate of around $25 per ride, they will bring you to our park. Tip: you can pre-book a ride 24/7 via their convenient WhatsApp chatbot. Their WhatsApp number is +599 701 7177.

Can you walk to grocery shopping and restaurants in Hato?

Yes, the supermarket is a 10-minute walk away, and several restaurants are within a 20-minute walk. From AyoBonaire, you can walk to the supermarket and various dining spots:

• Supermarket (10-minute walk): for your daily groceries, you can stroll over to the Zhung Kong Supermarket (Kaya Gob. N. Debrot 98). It is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00.
• Restaurants (within a 20-minute walk): Rum Runners, Ingredients Restaurant, Pizza Mare Bonaire, Eddy's Bar, Döner Station Hato, and Luciano ice cream parlor.

Can you go snorkeling from Villa Carolina without a car?

Yes, a 5-minute walk away lies a quiet little beach that I also call 'Hidden Beach', where you can step straight into the sea to snorkel. You can walk straight from your villa to the ocean. Walk via Kaya Groningen toward the water. Turn right at Kaya Gob. N. Debrot 161 and continue walking for another 2 minutes. Here you will find a hidden entrance to a quiet beach where you can snorkel right away. As you can see on the map, you can also walk further to other small beaches, and Andrea I and Andrea II are located a bit further down.

Important: anyone using the sea around Bonaire or visiting the Washington-Slagbaai National Park is required to purchase a STINAPA Nature Fee online in advance. This is a contribution for the maintenance and preservation of the local nature.

What does a day of walking from Villa Carolina look like?

You can easily fill an entire day on foot: snorkeling at the beach, having lunch nearby, grabbing an ice cream, and picking up groceries on your way back. So feel free to leave the car parked for a day! Start your morning with a walk to the quiet beach a 6-minute walk away and jump straight into the water for a snorkel. Afterward, walk right over to one of the nearby restaurants for lunch, such as Pizza Mare Bonaire or Rum Runners. To finish it off, get an Italian ice cream at Luciano, and on your way back, stop by the Zhung Kong Supermarket to pick up a few things for the evening.

Tip: head out early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it's a bit cooler. Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen, and a cap.

How do you take a catamaran trip on Bonaire without a car? ✨

You take a taxi to Kralendijk and step aboard an all-inclusive catamaran there. We would truly recommend spending a day out with a catamaran—it's wonderful! Trust me, this is a trip you will never forget. To get to the boarding location, first grab a taxi to Kralendijk (which you can easily pre-book via bonaire-taxi.com). From there, you can step straight on board for an unforgettable day on the water. It's all-inclusive, so you won't have to worry about a thing.

Action plan:

• Book your trip via Epic Tours Bonaire (catamaran, snorkel, and private tours).
• Book your ride via www.bonaire-taxi.com: via WhatsApp (+599 701 7177), their website, or the app.

Which island tours pick you up at Villa Carolina?

Adventure Makers Bonaire and Bonaire-taxi.com pick you up directly at AyoBonaire and drop you back off afterwards. If you want to see a lot of the island without driving yourself, you can choose one of these organized tours. You can book directly through their own websites.

Adventure Makers Bonaire (including drinks and lunch)

They organize fully catered tours where you don't have to worry about a thing. You will be picked up and brought back to AyoBonaire. All tours include lunch and drinks. Book and check current prices on their website:

• Bonaire off road adventure (approx. 5 hours)
• Cave snorkel tour (approx. 4 hours)
• Full island tour (approx. 7 hours)
• North side tour (approx. 3.5 hours)
• South side tour (approx. 3.5 hours)
• Washington-Slagbaai National Park (approx. 7 hours)

Important: please indicate during booking whether you prefer the tour in Dutch or English.

Bonaire-taxi.com (tours excluding food and drinks)

In addition to transfers, they also offer shorter, specific excursions. The tours exclude food and drinks. Book and check their current prices on their website:

• Chauffeur-Driven Vehicle – By the Hour: hire a private driver for approx. $62.50 per hour and determine your own route.
• Bonaire Grand Tour (4 hours) or North Tour (2 hours)
• 1000 Steps Excursion: visit this famous viewpoint, with the option to snorkel (approx. 1 hour 45 mins).
• Saltworks Excursion: discover the salt flats and historical slave huts (approx. 1 hour 30 mins).
• Seru Largu Excursion: enjoy the view from the highest point of the island (approx. 1 hour 15 mins).
• Sorobon Beach Excursion (4.5 hours) or a Flamingo Spotting Adventure (approx. 1 hour 15 mins).