All inclusive Bonaire: which resorts offer it and when a holiday home suits you better

Searching for all inclusive Bonaire? Then you probably want to know two things: is it possible there, and is it a smart choice? The short answer: yes, it is possible, but the island was never built for it. On Bonaire you will not find huge complexes where you stay behind the gate all week. A few resorts do offer all inclusive, sometimes as an add-on to your room.

As a rental company on the island, we see every day how our guests plan their holidays. Below is an honest overview of what all inclusive Bonaire means, what is usually not included and when a holiday home with a rental car fits better.

All inclusive Bonaire: which resorts offer it

Bonaire is a diving and nature island. Hotels are small and mostly located along the coast near Kralendijk. According to recent overviews, these resorts offer all inclusive, or an all inclusive option you can add to your room:

• Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort, a waterfront resort with its own dive school.
• Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, within walking distance of downtown Kralendijk, with a dive centre on site.
• Sorobon Beach Resort on Lac Bay, which offers all inclusive as an optional package.
• Delfins Beach Resort, which may offer a similar option.

These packages change regularly, so always check the resort’s own website to see whether the deal still exists and what it includes. We deliberately do not mention prices, because they vary by season and room type. Which resort suits you depends on what you are after: the calm of Lac Bay or the buzz close to town.

What is usually not included in an all inclusive package?

All inclusive sounds like ‘everything included’. On Bonaire it often falls short on one point: diving. Even at resorts with their own dive school, you usually pay separately for tanks, courses and boat dives. We also regularly see these exclusions:

• diving, tanks and gear rental, even at resorts with a dive school;
• premium drinks, such as top-shelf spirits and specialty cocktails;
• à la carte restaurants or special dinners;
• excursions, for example a water taxi to Klein Bonaire or a tour of Washington Slagbaai;
• the mandatory nature fee for diving and snorkelling in the marine park.

About that last point: everyone who enters the water pays the nature fee to STINAPA, the organisation that manages the Bonaire National Marine Park. That applies to every guest, all inclusive or not. Read the terms of your package carefully.

A fixed restaurant schedule also takes away something we like about Bonaire: choosing for yourself. A picnic in the shade of the sea grape trees along the coast, fresh fish on a terrace in Kralendijk, a local snack from a food truck by the road. In our experience, guests remember those meals longest.

When a holiday home with a rental car suits you better

Many of our guests switch to a holiday home after their first trip. In these situations, we usually recommend a house with a rental car:

• You are a diver who wants to shore dive. Yellow painted stones along the coastal road mark the dive sites. You pick up tanks at a dive shop, drive to the coast and dive whenever you like. Back at the house, you rinse your gear in a rinse tank and store it dry.
• You travel with family or a group. A house gives you room, your own kitchen and often a private pool. Everyone keeps their own hours, without buffet times.
• You stay longer than a week. The same buffet gets repetitive fast. Cooking yourself some nights and eating out in Kralendijk on others keeps meals varied.

A car also lets you see more of the island. You drive to Lac Bay for the mangroves and the turquoise water at Sorobon. Then you head south, where flamingos feed in the salt pans near the Pekelmeer. If you stay inside the resort all week, you miss them.

The interior is worth a drive too. On the way to Rincon, you pass donkeys by the roadside, standing between tall columnar cacti. One practical tip: never leave valuables in the car at dive sites. Many locals simply leave their windows open. Want to know more? Read our blog ‘Why renting a car on Bonaire is essential for your holiday’ and our overview of the island’s best snorkelling spots.

When all inclusive on Bonaire does make sense

All inclusive has its advantages. It is a good choice if:

• you are on a short trip, such as a long weekend from Curaçao or Aruba;
• you do not want a rental car and prefer to stay in one place;
• you want to plan nothing at all and mainly spend time at the beach and pool.

All inclusive Bonaire works for travellers who want to relax without arranging anything. If you want to explore the island, a holiday home is usually the better match.

Frequently asked questions about all inclusive Bonaire

Is there all inclusive on Bonaire?

Yes, but it is limited. A few resorts offer it, sometimes as an add-on to your room. You will not find the large all inclusive complexes common on other Caribbean islands.

Is diving included in all inclusive?

Usually not, even at resorts with their own dive school. Also budget for the mandatory STINAPA nature fee.

What is better for divers?

For most divers, a holiday home with a rental car is more convenient. You shore dive on your own schedule and have room to rinse and store your gear.

Do I need a rental car?

At a resort, not strictly. If you want to shore dive or explore the island, you will almost certainly need one, because public transport is very limited.

Prefer your own kitchen and your own schedule? Take a look at holiday home Kas Jacco in Laguna Marina or browse our villas with a private pool. We are happy to help you choose a base on Bonaire.