Bonaire

This Benetton outpost claims that its prices for men's, women's, and children's clothes are 30% lower than in New York. The selection is small but the quality is typical Benetton.

Bonaire Gift Shop is a mecca for those seeking a trinket or T-shirt to bring home. It's a one-stop shop for some of the island's best prices for liquor, tobacco, and tourist treasures.

This gem of a shop has unique fashions and a varied selection of swimsuits, sunglasses, T-shirts, and costume jewelry. There's a wonderful selection of whimsical ornaments and house decor. Shop for lovely Indonesian batik fashion. There's also a cute children's toy area in back.

Serving the best French food on Bonaire, owner Patrice Rannou has transformed a marina venue into an intimate dining setting. There are two delightful dining experiences on-site–-Bistro de Paris with a traditional evening menu, and Zazu Bar, offering a casual light bite menu. Both offer a French-international cuisine from a lovely waterfront terrace location. Fresh fish is always on the menu, along with house favorites such as the delectable lamb shank entrée. Patrice posts his menu daily on the curbside chalkboard. Come for lunch, drinks, dining, or light bites. Jazz nights, held every other Tuesday, are quite popular and reservations are recommended for this dining and music event. Wednesday is Divemaster Night featuring 8-ounce burgers and free house rum when purchasing a cola.

Despite the nighttime-bedroom connotation this excellent patio eatery at the Royal Palm Mall is open only for breakfast, lunch, and late-afternoon snacks. Besides having some of the best coffee on the island, Boudoir offers a range of soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers that should please even the most discerning of diners. It's the perfect place to relax with an iced coffee and a smoked-salmon-and-capers sandwich after a day of exploring Kralendijk.

This splendid, family-run Italian eatery has plenty to boast about. The pastas and breads are house-made. The wine cellar includes hundreds of labels and thousands of bottles. Ask for a pairing with your meal to fit your taste and your budget. You can opt for casual à la carte dining on the terrace or a romantic meal in the tonier, air-conditioned dining room. If your appetite is hearty, go for the five-course prix-fixe menu. Otherwise, choose from 50 regular offerings. La Boutique has an abundance of lovely Italian specialty items including seasonal panettone.

Donna and her Sardinian-born husband, Giorgio, serve delicious home-style meals at their downtown Kralendijk location. With Giorgio in the kitchen, Donna and her daughter greet diners and make them feel at home. You can always find a selection of pizzas and pastas, as well as daily specials displayed on a blackboard outside.

If your vision of a Caribbean vacation includes seaside dining with balmy trade winds blowing and views of a gorgeous Caribbean bay, then Hang Out Bar is your spot. It overlooks Lac Bay, the training ground for the famous Bonaire Windsurf Team. Pros from around the globe come to train while tourists come to hone their skills and experience windsurf bliss. Hang Out Bar offers libations and tasty delights including fresh house-made smoothies and healthy and delicious salads and sandwiches, and there's always a daily special, usually fresh-caught fish. They also serve Dutch snack treats including bitterballen (meatballs) and frikkendel (hot dog). There's a lively bar scene, with a great happy hour. Free beach loungers and plenty of tables and chairs in the shade, as well as free Wi-Fi are available. Select evenings feature local and international music acts. Order a pitcher of their famous house-made sangria and you're all set.

Those seeking upscale urban chic flock to this waterfront establishment where beautiful people serve beautiful food. Housed in a 100-year-old traditional home, the seafront setting is magical. Culinary delights feature grilled local fish. The menu is creative and diverse. Despite its popularity and large size, by Bonaire standards, service is impeccable and efficient. The restaurant now features a fish market selling local and Dutch delights. Lunch is a special outing with a superb menu and stunning views.

Hidden in an unassuming strip mall you'll find a wonderful Colombian eatery—Bonaire’s best hole in the wall. The owners specialize in Colombian fare and offer fresh locally caught fish along with other regional items. Try the house-made avocado sauce on your fish or chicken. The lomito (beef) is a house favorite, as is the whole red snapper in creole sauce. Choose the fried yuca as a side. House-made desserts include a sublime tres leches cake.

This little dining spot in the town center features Continental, Caribbean, and Indonesian fare, and the throngs of regulars would not dream of visiting Bonaire without a meal here. Diners can enjoy their meal on the sidewalk or inside. Popular bar dishes include Wiener schnitzel and fresh fish with saffron sauce. The lobster bisque is sublime. The intimate stucco-and-brick dining room, presided over by a copy of the famous painting of the lady with the mystic smile, is decorated with Dutch artwork, lace curtains, and ceiling fans. The bar is popular with locals, but visitors will feel at home under the care of Hank, the bartender. The bar menu, available outside or at the bar, features a fish item, saté, or a meat choice. Leave room for their house-made desserts, especially the passion-fruit cheesecake.

Sebastian's is a romantic waterfront spot with a trendy, chic decor. Chef Sebastian has created his own niche, offering an eclectic and international menu with a Mediterranean flair. The pier table is one of Bonaire's most sought-after. Reserve in advance for a sunset dining experience.

For a quintessential seaside dining setting head to Spice Beach Club. Tables, illuminated by torchlight, are set at water's edge. The menu features Caribbean–inspired tapas dishes. Flavors are bold and the plating is artistic. The wine list is simple and eclectic, featuring a number of international bottles. After dinner, walk next door to enjoy the lively vibe and DJ entertainment at the beach bar. Friday happy hour is a popular local spot. By day, the lunch menu is casual and best enjoyed on the beach in one of the cabanas.

This charming eatery is tucked away in a tranquil outdoor setting amidst mature tropical trees and foliage. Chef Wil uses locally grown produce and fish from the sea, presenting a creative menu for his discerning clientele. The house-smoked marlin is delectable. Their wine list is impressive as well. Chef Wil also makes and bottles his own line of hot sauces and rubs called the Flaming Flamingo Hot Sauce Co. Be sure to take a few bottles home.

Part of Bonaire Windsurf Place—and located right on the beach—this fun eatery is one of the most casual dining experiences on the island. Tables and chairs are set directly in the sand under a straw-roof structure so that cooling winds sweep through the space. The food is simple but very good; the main offerings are sandwiches, salads, and burgers. The experience of dining with your toes in the sand is sure to leave lingering pleasant memories.

Zeezicht (pronounced zay-zeekt and meaning "sea view") serves three meals a day and is a Kralendijk institution. The menu features local favorites and Caribbean-inspired dishes. Dine on the terrace overlooking the harbor or in the nautically themed, homey, rough-hewn main room. The location makes it a popular spot for sunset-watchers.

Directly across the road from the Radio Nederland towers on the main road north, you'll see a short yellow marker that points to the location of these limestone stairs carved right out of the cliff. If you trek down the stairs, you can discover a lovely coral beach and protected cove where you can snorkel and scuba dive. Actually, you'll count only 67 steps, but it feels like 1,000 when you walk back up carrying scuba gear.

Once used to trap goats, Barcadera is one of the oldest caves in Bonaire. It's the first sight along the northern route; watch closely for a yellow marker on your left before you reach the towering Radio Nederland antennas. Pull off across from the entrance to the Bonaire Caribbean Club, and you can discover some stone steps that lead down into a cave full of stalactites and vegetation. It's best to hire a local guide to traverse any cave in Bonaire. Hans from Outdoor Bonaire is an expert in caving in Bonaire.

Inside Washington–Slagbaai Park is a local snorkel and dive site with interesting offshore coral gardens that are good for snorkeling. Bring scuba boots or canvas sandals to walk into the water, because the beach is rough on bare feet. It is unlawful to touch or stand on coral. The gentle surf makes it an ideal place for swimming and picnicking. Sunday is a lively spot for locals who come to picnic. Amenities: parking; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

In a historic, traditional Dutch Antillean structure, this trendy club has a vibrant music scene. Latin Dance Night on Thursday is the place for sweaty, sexy dance music. Try to come when DJ Chrisbeat and DJ Mixup are in the house—it's a party when this duo hits the DJ booth. The beverages of choice are the house mojito and cuba libre, and an extensive international menu features Pineapple Santiago de Cuba and Indonesian saté. The patio tables overlooking the waterfront district are perfect for sunsets and people-watching.

Deco Stop is the place to be Monday night for Rum Punch Party with Moogie, live dance-band entertainment. Enjoy bar snacks and free rum punch as the sun sets. The Thursday-night happy hour is popular as well. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the seaside setting where dive gear and board shorts are appropriate attire! Next door you can enjoy one of Bonaire's best oceanfront dining spots, Rum Runners.

Perfumes and cigarettes are available at Flamingo Airport Duty Free. This is the perfect spot to buy Dutch chocolates and local trinkets for last-minute shopping.

This saltwater lagoon near the island's northern end is a popular flamingo hangout. Bonaire is one of the few places in the world where pink flamingos nest. The shy, spindly-leg creatures—affectionately called "pink clouds"—are magnificent birds to observe, and there are about 15,000 of them in Bonaire (almost as many as the number of human residents). The best viewing is January to June, when they tend to their gray-plumed young. For the best view take the paved access road alongside the lagoon through the jungle of cacti to the parking and observation area on the rise overlooking the lagoon and Washington–Slagbaai National Park beyond.

On the main drag in town, JanArt Gallery sells unique paintings, prints, and art supplies; artist/owner Janice Huckaby has been on island 25 years and has painted more than 1,000 original paintings of Bonaire. She also conducts art classes.

Karel's is one of Bonaire's top nighttime party spots—especially on Friday and Saturday, when there's live music until the wee hours. Deep house, trance, and local music prevail at this beach bar right over the water. Often, international DJs visit Karel's, making it one of the island's hippest scenes.

Just a water-taxi hop across from Kralendijk, this little island offers picture-perfect white-sand beaches. Klein Bonaire is one of Bonaire's most popular snorkel spots. Local boat tours frequent the island in hopes of spotting turtles. The area is protected, so absolutely no development has been allowed. Make sure to pack everything before heading to the island, including water and an umbrella to hide under because there are no refreshment stands or changing facilities, and there's almost no shade to be found. Boats leave from the Pier, across from the Rains Fishes, and the round-trip water-taxi ride costs roughly $15 per person. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

This mustard-color building was the manor house of an aloe plantation in the 19th century. The site was named for the karpata (castor bean) plants that are abundant in the area—you can see them along the sides of the road as you approach. Notice the rounded outdoor oven where aloe was boiled down before the juice was exported. The handcrafted coral floor is quite a sight.

Little Havana is the place to mix and mingle with locals and tourists while listening to DJs spin, jazz, or jam sessions. Prepare to get up close and personal with modelesque blondes, handsome Antilleans, and oldsters alike. The place gets so packed, crowds spill into the streets, drinking into the wee hours. Happy hour is a favorite, but the witching hour is around 11 pm until 2 am. The bartenders mix up the best caipirinha on island. Check out the cigar humidor, which is stocked with cigars from Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

The Littmans have sold jewelry on Bonaire since 1981. Owner Steven Littman handpicks many of the items available in this upscale jewelry and gift shop during his regular trips to Europe. Look for Rolex, Omega, Cartier, and Tag Heuer watches; fine gold jewelry; antique coins; nautical sculptures; resort clothing; and accessories. Typical savings are about 15% off U.S. prices. They offer watch repair and battery replacement and have another location in the Harbourside Mall.

Built around the second-oldest stone structure on Bonaire, this cultural park a few miles before Rincon provides a fascinating insight into the island's history. The museum commands an excellent view of the surrounding countryside and contains artifacts tracing the often hard lives of the early settlers. There are numerous traditional structures built around the museum illustrating how living conditions have changed over the years. The park is usually filled with local schoolkids learning how to use traditional musical instruments and how to cook local foods. The last Saturday of each month features a cultural market. Enjoy local food and purchase crafts while listening to island music. Arrive early for the best selection of treats.

This dedicated fine art gallery run by Linda Richter features a range of work from local artists including paintings by Linda and her late husband. In addition to paintings, the gallery also features prints and handmade jewelry.

The island's original Spanish settlement, Rincon is where slaves brought from Africa to work the plantations and salt fields lived. Rincon is now a well-kept cluster of pastel cottages and 19th-century buildings that constitute Bonaire's oldest village. There are several local eateries and bars in town to enjoy libations. Dia di Rincon is an annual festival and legal holiday held April 30. This massive street party features local food, music, and revelry. Arrive early if traveling with children. By nighttime, it's a lively boisterous party vibe.

Owner Ellen Herrera restored her family's homestead north of Lac Bay, in the Bonairean kadushi (cactus) wilderness, to educate tourists and residents about the history and tradition of authentic kunuku living and to show unspoiled terrain in two daily tours. You must make an appointment in advance and expect to spend a couple of hours.

Rising like mountains of snow, the salt pans are hard to miss. Harvested once a year, the "ponds" are owned by Cargill, Inc., which has reactivated the 19th-century salt industry with great success (one reason for that success is that the ocean on this part of the island is higher than the land—which makes irrigation a snap). Keep a lookout for the three 30-foot obelisks—white, blue, and red—that were used to guide the trade boats coming to pick up the salt. Look also in the distance across the pans to the abandoned solar saltworks that's now a designated flamingo sanctuary. With the naked eye you might be able to make out a pink-orange haze just on the horizon; with binoculars you will see a sea of bobbing pink bodies. The sanctuary is completely protected, and no entrance is allowed (flamingos are extremely sensitive to disturbances of any kind).

Just off the main road, this spot, at 394 feet, is one of the highest on the island. A paved but narrow and twisting road leads to a magnificent daytime view of Kralendijk's rooftops and the island of Klein Bonaire. A large cross and figure of Christ stand guard at the peak, with an inscription reading ayera (yesterday), awe (today), and semper (always). Many locals make their daily hike up the hill for a vigorous exercise regime.

The salt industry's history is revealed in Rode Pan, the site of two groups of tiny slave huts. The white huts are on the right side of the road, opposite the salt flats; the second grouping, called the red slave huts, stretches across the road toward the island's southern tip. During the 19th century, slaves worked the salt pans by day and slept in the cramped huts. Each Friday afternoon they walked many hours to Rincon to weekend with their families, returning each Sunday. The Red Slave area is a popular dive spot during low wind and calm seas. When the wind is strong and waves prevail, the local windsurf posse heads to Red Slave to catch the swell.

This is the windsurfing beach on Bonaire and one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The sand is powdery white and the water gin-clear. It's shallow, allowing swimmers to walk up to the reef on a calm-breeze day. Here, the snorkeling is quite amazing. Keep in mind all sea life is protected, so no touching or removing shells or creatures. There are two windsurf shops on-site offering rentals and lessons. Rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and cruise the shallows looking for turtles. Two on-site restaurants offer diverse menus, including tropical drinks. The public beach area near the marina has restrooms and huts for shade. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; windsurfing.

Once a plantation producing divi-divi trees (the pods were used for tanning animal skins), aloe (used for medicinal lotions), charcoal, and goats, the park is now a model of conservation. It's easy to tour the 13,500-acre tropical desert terrain on the dirt roads. A truck or jeep is recommended for clearance along the rutted roads. As befits a wilderness sanctuary, the well-marked, rugged routes force you to drive slowly enough to appreciate the animal life and the terrain. (Think twice about coming here if it has rained recently—the mud you may encounter will be more than inconvenient.) If you're planning to hike, bring a picnic lunch, camera, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There are two routes: the long one (22 miles [35½ km]) is marked by yellow arrows, the short one (15 miles [24 km]) by green arrows. Goats and donkeys may dart across the road, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you may catch sight of large iguanas camouflaged in the shrubbery.

Bird-watchers are really in their element here. Right inside the park's gate, flamingos roost on the salt pad known as Salina Mathijs, and exotic parakeets dot the foot of Mt. Brandaris, Bonaire's highest peak, at 784 feet. Some 130 species of birds fly in and out of the shrubbery in the park. Keep your eyes open and your binoculars at hand. Swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving are permitted, but you're asked not to frighten the animals or remove anything from the grounds. Absolutely no hunting, fishing, or camping is allowed. A useful guide to the park is available at the entrance for about $6. To get here, take the secondary road north from the town of Rincon. The Nature Fee for swimming and snorkeling also grants you free admission to this park—simply present proof of payment and some form of photo ID.

Bonaire's first lighthouse was built in 1837 and is now automated (but closed to visitors). Take some time to explore the beach and notice how the waves, driven by the trade winds, play a crashing symphony against the rocks. Locals stop here to collect pieces of driftwood in spectacular shapes and to build fanciful pyramids from objects that have washed ashore.

Near the airport (just off E.E.G. Boulevard), this pretty little spot looks out toward the north side of the island and has about 200 yards of white sand along a rocky shoreline. It's a popular dive site, and swimming conditions are good. There is often a food truck parked next door at Te Amo Beach, another great snorkeling beach. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Every visitor should make a point of visiting Yenny's Art. Roam around Jenny Rijna's house, which is a replica of a traditional Bonaire town complete with her handmade life-size dolls and the skeletons of all her dead pets. Fun (and sometimes kitschy) souvenirs made out of driftwood, clay, and shells are all handmade by Jenny.