Bonaire is one of three islands that make up the catchy nickname: the ABC islands. This colorful Netherlands Antilles archipelago lies 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela and is comfortably outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4W6ZVTjA6s Bonaire is laid-back by design. Large chain hotels have been kept out and eco-preservation has been enforced since the 1970’s, making this some of the best dive and snorkeling sites in the world. The island’s relaxed and slow pace helps maintain the island’s chief attributes…its national park and pristine wilderness, both above and below the surface. This is the place for adventure sports: diving, caving, sea kayaking, mountain biking, wind surfing, and cliff jumping, to name just a few. Bonaire continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism. The culture contains layers of Amerindian, Spanish, African, Dutch and British influences. You will hear traces of these languages (plus some French and Portuguese) during any conversation in Papiamento, the creole language spoken. Try using a few key phrases: por fabor, danki, and bon dia—all of which mean exactly what you think they do! Renting a golf cart is a popular activity. This is a fun and easy way to explore the island at your own pace. Be sure to reserve early….they sell out quickly! https://www.bonairecruisers.com Photo courtsey of Bonaire Cruisers Visit the donkey sanctuary, take a trip to the salt flats, view the flamingos or just hit the beach. Be sure to keep an eye out for the donkeys…they were brought to Bonaire by the Spanish in the 17th century for transportation. When modern vehicles (like pushcarts) became available , donkeys were no longer needed and were left to their own fate. Since 1993 injured, sick and orphaned donkeys have been cared for in a shelter, called the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. Volunteers take care over 400 donkeys in an enclosed area. The shelter is open to visitors and is located south of the airport on the Kaya Ir.R. Statius van Eps. https://www.donkeysanctuary.org/?lang=en Reduce your speed when you approach a donkey. They may cross the street unexpectedly. The south end of the island is host to the famous salt flats & mounts. As you drive along south road, you will notice the different colors of the water, turning into an intense pink color. Cargill has been operating here since 1997 and produces some of the purest salts in the world. Depending on the grade of salt, it is used for water softeners, the chemical industry or food production. You can learn more about the Bonaire salt on a tour, either through your ship or booked independently The Salt pyramids of Bonaire can be seen when arriving either by sea or by air, each one is roughly 50-feet high and contains approximately 10,000 metric tons of 99.6% pure salt. The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is one of only four areas in the world where Flamingos breed. Pekelmeer means “salt lake” in Dutch. The pools appear pink against the white salt flats because of an abundance of tiny rosy brine shrimp that live in the water. This is also how the birds get their pink color…eating the shrimp! The Sanctuary is located on the vast salt pans at the southern end of the island and is home to over ten thousand flamingos. Tourists are not allowed in the sanctuary, but the birds can be watched with binoculars from the road or nearby Pink Beach. Please take care to not frighten them….once they fly away, they will never return. https://www.tourismbonaire.com/sightseeing/pekelmeer-flamingo-sanctuary Bonaire has over 22 beaches. On Bonaire and its sister island Klein Bonaire, the sands of some beaches are soft and blindingly white, while others are coarser and darker due to the high content of crushed shells and coral. Beach condition is intrinsically tied to the health of those reefs. You can help by taking your plastics and trash back with you, leaving the shells where they lie (they might be a home for hermit crabs) and wearing eco-friendly sunscreen. Every little bit helps to keep the sands clean for future generations to enjoy. Be sure to pick up a Bonaire Island Map to find many sandy beaches and coves to explore and enjoy. Watch for the bright yellow stone markers painted with the site name along the coastal roads. They make it easy to find a great beach for sun bathing, strolling or snorkeling and diving. Did you know that Bonaire has a distillery? The Cadushy Distillery was founded on March 7th, 2009 by the Gietman family and grew from a small start-up to a thriving company. They created something you would have never imagined…..excellent liqueur made out of cactus! Cadushy of Bonaire liqueur is based on the traditions of Bonaire. Lime has been used as a thirst satisfier for centuries and cactus has been an ingredient in the traditional kitchen. Be sure to stop and try some. https://www.cadushy.com Enjoy your visit to Bonaire…..an island unlike any other in the Caribbean. And if you didn’t watch the video already….please watch it! Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
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Explore Anchorage: Must-Do Activities and Attractions
This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. What is there to do in Anchorage? LOTS! Some of our favorite activities are renting bikes, visiting the Ulu factory or just walking around downtown. There is also a great museum that is well worth the time. (Several of the cruise line busses depart from this location.) You can even go to a baseball game! And don’t forget to get a reindeer sausage…absolutely delicious! Baseball Baseball in Alaska, you ask? Yes! Anchorage is home to two teams of the Alaska Baseball League: the Anchorage Glacier Pilots and Anchorage Bucs. In addition to the Glacier Pilots and Bucs, high school and American Legion games are played at Mulcahy. It has a natural grass outfield and an infield of FieldTurf and has one of the largest capacities of any outdoor sports facility in Alaska. Many college players go north each summer to play and to be seen by major league scouts. Biking Biking is a great option for all fitness levels, because the experience is what you make of it. Take relaxing rides along paved trails and enjoy the scenery. Or….try a thrilling mountain bike adventure. Biking makes for a great individual or family activity away from larger tours. There are many trails in and around Anchorage and several places to rent. One of our favorite rides is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The trail starts in the downtown area and stretches for 11 miles, offering breathtaking views of Alaska’s natural beauty. It is an easy journey around the Anchorage airport, with paved paths and the chance to see wildlife and beautiful scenery. Be sure to give the wildlife a wide birth though….they are WILD and will attack is threatened. Seeing grizzly bears and moose in Anchorage is common, showing a city living in harmony with the nearby wilderness. Ulu Factory The Ulu factory is close to downtown. It is down the hill, close to the train station. The factory provides a free shuttle, if you choose not to walk. It runs from 10:00am and to 7:00pm June, July and August Inside you can watch the knives being made, the blade and handle assembled and packaged. A staff member will be happy to take you on a personal tour. You can also see a demonstration on how to use, sharpen and care for an Ulu knife and cutting bowls. There is a nice gift shop in the building where you can purchase the knives and other Alaska products. Just behind the building is a salmon creek with viewing platforms. If the salmon are running, this is a great location to see them. Anchorage Museum The Anchorage Museum is a large art, history, ethnography, ecology and science museum located in a modern building in the heart of Anchorage. It is dedicated to studying and exploring the land, peoples, art and history of Alaska. The museum is located at 625 C Street. Cost of admission is $18/adult, $12/senior, student or military with ID, $9/ages 3-12 and free for 2 and younger. We found it to be a pleasant way to spend a few hours and learn more about Alaska. Earthquake Park In 1964, Anchorage was hit by a devastating earthquake, one of the most powerful quakes ever recorded, significantly impacting Anchorage. The city initially considered developing the affected area but opted to preserve it as a park due to the soil’s instability. This decision has provided a space for reflection and education on the forces that shape our world. Earthquake Park Visitors can engage with informative plaques detailing the quake’s events and its effects on the region. It features an extensive walking trail, offering a peaceful journey through shaded forests and alongside the bay with picturesque views. This park is more than just a green space; it’s an educational journey into a pivotal moment in Alaska’s history. It offers a unique opportunity to understand the 1964 earthquake’s impact and enjoy the natural beauty that has emerged in its wake. Explore Downtown Downtown is very walkable with shops, a tourist information center (where you can get information on a free, guided walking tour) and the Alaska Public Lands Information Center (where you can learn about Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness through a scavenger hunt for children). At least one of the shops will have a piece of glacier ice you and touch! Visit a Brewery or Distillery If you are a beer lover, you can visit two breweries downtown….49th State Brewing Co and Glacier Brewhouse. Mid-town you will find Broken Tooth Brewery, Cynosure Brewing and Matanuska Brewing Company. Each brewpub has a full menu of beers and food available. There are also several distilleries in Anchorage you can visit. Alaska Spirits and Anchorage Distillery are two of them. Where to Eat? Snow City Cafe serves classic comfort dishes for those searching for hearty meals. For a more upscale dining experience, Jens’ Restaurant & Wine Bar serves fine food and wine with a touch of Alaskan influence in a fun and elegant atmosphere. Other dining options include Ginger, which offers Pacific Rim cuisine and classic Asian specialties. Club Paris, which offers a traditional steakhouse experience for both lunch and dinner and Kincaid Grill, which specializes in seafood and Alaskan Regional cuisine. We ALWAYS make sure to visit one of the hot dog carts downtown and get a reindeer sausage. Believe me…there is nothing like it! You can get a regular or spicy one, with or without grilled onions. YUM! Aviation Museum Is anyone in your group an aviation enthusiast? The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum offers a fascinating look into aviation’s pivotal role in Alaska’s past and present. Aviation is a vital mode of transportation across the state’s vast and remote areas, making this museum a must-visit for anyone interested in the unique aspects of Alaskan life. The museum is home to an impressive collection of educational exhibits, including numerousContinueContinue reading “Explore Anchorage: Must-Do Activities and Attractions”