Ecuador | Independent travels | Add-ons | Bonaire

Ecuador holidays:
Add-ons to Bonaire

If you fly to Ecuador with KLM you may be able to break your journey in either direction with a beach stay in the Caribbean on Bonaire, one of the Dutch Antilles.

Bonaire is an arid island, where the sun shines virtually 365 days a year. The easterly trade winds help to maintain a comfortable temperature.

The first three hotels below are set on the island’s small selection of white sand beaches. Elsewhere the coast is fringed with coral reefs that teem with colourful underwater life and make Bonaire a world class diving destination. Many dive sites are easily accessible from the shore and several are also excellent for snorkelling.

Harbour Village

This is the most luxurious hotel on the island, set within an exclusive private residential enclave with private marina. It blends old island charm with casual beach elegance. All rooms have a/c, ceiling fan, cable TV, hair dryer, safe, and mini fridge. Hotel facilities include diving, sunfish sailing, kayaking, tennis, fitness centre, and spa treatments—all at extra cost.

Plaza Resort Bonaire

This luxury property comprises 200 ocean or lagoon side suites and one and two bedroom villas in 12 acres of landscaped grounds. All rooms are air-conditioned with mini-fridge, coffee maker, cable TV, large bathroom, hair dryer and a private patio or balcony. The hotel offers a choice of three restaurants and bars, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, casino, private marina, gym, a small spa and is home to a 5* PADI Gold Palm dive centre. It is just ½ mile from the airport and 2 miles from downtown Kralendijk.

KonTiki’s Mangrove View, Lac Bay

A handful of one bedroom apartments painted in sunset-colours and situated on the white sands of Lac Bay—a natural lagoon of clear, shallow, warm water protected by a barrier reef and surrounded by a nature reserve of mangrove. Every apartment has a bedroom with queen sized bed and a/c, living area with kitchen, bathroom with shower, and a terrace with a view to Lac Bay. Windsurfing centres are just three minutes away round the headland at Sorobon.

The restaurant serves reasonably priced international food, fresh fruit shakes and tropical cocktails. You can eat inside, or outside to gaze at the stars or enjoy the beautiful colours of the bay. Exhibitions from local artists are held all year round and the first Sunday of each month is jazz night.

Captain Don’s Habitat

This is a friendly hotel for divers with freshwater pool, dock, divers-only pier for shore diving, swimming and snorkelling and a full service 5* PADI dive operation. They have a range of room types plus a bar and restaurant, with a number of other restaurants in walking distance.