Solo Travel in the Dutch Caribbean: My 3-Day Retreat to Bonaire
Last Updated on May 8, 2025 by Erin Donahue
Did you know there’s a Caribbean island only four hours from New York City that most travelers overlook? If you’re dreaming of a solo getaway that feels adventurous yet secure, Bonaire is your dream destination. Tucked away in the Dutch Caribbean, this island offers stunning blue waters, vibrant history, and a peaceful atmosphere that’s ideal for solo travel.
From vibrant coral reefs and candy-colored towns to a resort that felt like a private villa, Bonaire turned out to be the Dutch Caribbean solo travel dream I didn’t know I needed.
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Getting There: JetBlue’s Nonstop NYC to Bonaire
I’ve known about this island for years, but never had the chance to go until recently. JetBlue started new nonstop flights from JFK, so now Bonaire is more accessible than ever. With flights every Tuesday and Saturday, you can leave New York in the morning and be on the beach by early afternoon. No layovers. No stress. Just a quick hop to a whole new world!
It felt surreal arriving mid-afternoon with so much daylight left to explore. That alone makes Bonaire an incredible pick for travelers flying from the East Coast.
Know Before You Go
All visitors to Bonaire are required to pay a Visitor Entry Tax before arrival or upon entry. As of 2025, the fee is $75 for non-residents aged 13 and over (and $10 for children 12 and under). You can pre-pay online to speed things up at the airport.
Is Bonaire Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
As a solo female traveler, safety is always top of mind. From the moment I landed, the vibe felt calm, welcoming, and easygoing. The island has a close-knit community feel, where locals are friendly and helpful.
I explored Kralendijk, the capital (nicknamed “Playa” by locals), on foot and wandered through quiet side streets, colorful Dutch Caribbean architecture, and along the waterfront without a second thought. If you’ve ever traveled solo, you know the subtle energy check you do when you walk into a new place. On Bonaire, it was just chill.
If you’re considering solo travel in the Dutch Caribbean and want somewhere peaceful, safe, and easy to explore, Bonaire absolutely checks all the boxes. It’s low-key, walkable, and perfect for women who want to explore at their own pace, without the crowds, chaos, or worry.
Where I Stayed: Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort
During my time in Bonaire, I partnered with Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort, and it felt more like a beachfront retreat than a hotel. Just five minutes from the airport, this all-inclusive property sits right on the shoreline. I could walk from my room to the coral reef in seconds, which is wild when you think about how many divers travel across the world to experience this.
What makes this resort special isn’t just the location, but the story behind it. Van der Valk is the largest family-owned hospitality group in the Netherlands, with over 65 hotels across Europe and beyond. Yet somehow, despite their global reach, this Bonaire location felt incredibly personal and grounded. I even met some of the family and team who live on the property, which is typical in my line of work. Being in the Dutch Caribbean, it was actually my first time interacting with a bunch of Dutch people.
Royal Residence Suite Room Tour
I stayed in the Royal Residence suite, and it felt more like a private luxury apartment than a hotel room. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened fully onto the marina, a huge open kitchen (not that I cooked anything, thanks to the all-inclusive meals), and the two bedrooms had king beds. My favorite part? The huge terrace with views of the marina.
One design quirk I didn’t expect: the toilet and shower were in completely different parts of the suite. The shower room was next to the bedrooms, while the toilet was located by the entrance. I know some cultures, like the Japanese, often separate these features, but not across the entire room like this. If there are any Dutch readers or people familiar with Dutch culture, is this common in the Netherlands too? It caught me off guard, but it was manageable.
There was one thing that made me pause. The living room windows didn’t have any curtains or blinds, which felt a little exposed at night. Additionally, during check-in, the staff member said my room number out loud, even with other guests nearby. I asked about switching rooms, but they had prepared this one for me with welcome gifts, so I let it go. It reminded me that Dutch culture tends to have a different relationship with privacy and safety, things Americans, especially solo female travelers, often view more cautiously. Oh, how I wish we could experience safety the way they do!
Whether you’re traveling solo or with others, Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort offers the kind of comfort, ease, and access that makes you feel instantly at home and completely immersed in everything that makes Bonaire feel like a true vacation destination.
What to See & Do in Bonaire
Bonaire may be small, but it’s packed with beauty, history, and adventure. Here are some highlights from my trip:
First-Time Scuba Diving in Bonaire
One of the highlights of my trip was scuba diving for the first time! Bonaire is world-renowned for its diving scene, and the reef literally starts just steps from the beach. I took a beginner course at Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort’s PADI 5-star dive center, Toucan Diving. My instructor, a fierce young Dutch woman named Mirre, earned her PADI certification at just ten years old. Ten! She was no-nonsense but incredibly patient, and her focus on safety gave me total peace of mind as a beginner.
At one point during the dive, I got super dizzy and my vision went sideways, but Mirre stayed calm and handled it like a pro. I still managed to stay underwater for 30 minutes on my very first dive and got to see not one, but two sea turtles. That’s a win in my book!
Bonaire truly lives up to its reputation as a diver’s paradise. The island’s surrounding waters form the Bonaire National Marine Park, a protected area that includes coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. If you’re planning to dive or do any water activities, you have to pay the separate Nature Fee, it helps preserve this incredible ecosystem and is 100% worth it. Not into diving? Snorkeling in the shallow waters is just as rewarding, especially with how clear the water is.
Walk Around Kralendijk
Kralendijk, the island’s colorful capital, is a charming mix of history and laid-back Caribbean vibes. The name means “coral reef” in Dutch, and locals call it “Playa.” Take the historical walking tour to learn about its heritage, or simply wander along Kaya Grandi, the main shopping street. Fun fact: “Kaya Grandi” translates to “large street,” but it’s actually quite small!
On cruise ship days, Wilhelmina Square transforms into a lively market filled with locally made goods, perfect for souvenirs. The pastel-colored Dutch architecture makes this an Instagram-worthy stop, so bring your camera.
Explore Bonaire with a Local Guide
Joining a guided tour with Tropical Travel Bonaire was one of the best ways to see the island. Because Bonaire is so small, you can drive around the whole island in about five hours. My guide, Dino, showed me Bonaire’s most iconic sights, including Seru Largu, the Salt Pyramids, plus a few hidden local spots. At one point, a couple of main roads were closed due to accidents, so Dino casually took us off-roading. Just another day in island life!
Explore Seru Largu
For panoramic views of Bonaire, head to Seru Largu, which means “large hill.” This is the tallest point on the island accessible by car. From the top, you can see Kralendijk, Klein Bonaire, and the island’s unique coastline. On very clear days you can even see neighboring Dutch Caribbean islands, Aruba and Curaçao. It’s a local favorite for New Year’s Eve celebrations, where crowds gather to watch fireworks illuminate the horizon.
Visit the Salt Pyramids
Bonaire’s famous Salt Pyramids are a visual marvel. I’m always intrigued by Salt Flats, like the ones in Salt Lake City, simply because of the epic landscapes to photograph. Each pyramid is about 50 feet high and holds up to 10,000 metric tons of 99.6% pure salt. The bright pink salt flats nearby owe their unique hue to halophilic bacteria, which thrive in the salty water. Salt is one of Bonaire’s biggest exports, and it’s one of the most iconic sights on the island and a must-see for visitors. Being able to see the saturated pink, though, is heavily dependent on the time of day and angle of the sun.
Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary
Home to one of the largest flamingo populations in the Caribbean, the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is a peaceful haven for bird lovers. While you can’t enter the sanctuary itself, the views from nearby are stunning. During my island tour with Tropical Travel Bonaire that the hotel set up for me, I learned that when flamingos sweep their heads side to side near the water, like a metal detector, they’re actually feeding on mosquitoes!
A Must in the Caribbean: Take a Sunset Cruise
On my final night in Bonaire, the Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort team set me up on a 4-hour sunset cruise with Bonaire Yacht Charters aboard their spacious Lagoon 46 catamaran, Maxim. It was originally booked just for me to get content with their in-house photographer, but the team invited another influencer and her family to join. The more the merrier! As we sailed along the coast, the sky slowly transformed. Golden hour melted into deep coral hues, reflected across the sea like a moving painting. It was the perfect way to close out the trip. That quiet, cinematic kind of solo travel moment.
Why Bonaire Should Be on Your Radar
Bonaire may be small, but it’s the perfect vacation spot. Nestled safely outside the hurricane belt, it’s a rare Caribbean destination that shines year-round, ideal for spontaneous getaways. For solo female travelers like myself, it offers that perfect blend of freedom and peace of mind. It feels like a secret island with a big heart: no spring break crowds, no pushy vendors. Just natural beauty, world-class diving, dark skies for astrophotography, and a laid-back vibe that instantly slows you down.
Now that JetBlue flies direct from the U.S., this hidden Dutch-Caribbean gem isn’t so hidden anymore. Whether you’re a travel lover, scuba newbie, or photographer, solo travel in the Dutch Caribbean doesn’t get better than Bonaire.
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