Cuba vs Bonaire: which island suits your holiday?
Torn between Cuba and Bonaire for your next holiday? At Sunwise Bonaire we regularly get the question ‘Cuba vs Bonaire, what do you recommend?’ Our answer is not always Bonaire. Both islands…
Torn between Cuba and Bonaire for your next holiday? At Sunwise Bonaire we regularly get the question ‘Cuba vs Bonaire, what do you recommend?’ Our answer is not always Bonaire. Both islands lie in the Caribbean, but that is roughly where the similarities end. Below we line up the main differences, based on what we see living and working on the island every day.
The first difference is scale. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, with millions of inhabitants, big cities and hundreds of kilometres of coastline. Bonaire is about 38 kilometres long and home to roughly 25,000 people. You can drive from Washington Slagbaai in the north to the salt pans in the south in just over an hour. That shapes your whole trip: what you do each day and how you get around.
Cuba vs Bonaire: when Cuba is the better choice
We deliberately start with the other side. If you are looking for any of the following, you will find little or nothing of it on Bonaire:
- Colonial cities: the pastel streets of Havana and Trinidad, with centuries-old squares and architecture. Kralendijk is small by comparison.
- Salsa and live music: in Cuba you hear music on almost every street corner. On Bonaire a band occasionally plays at a beach bar, but there is no dance culture on that scale.
- Culture and history: museums, revolutionary history, vintage cars and a road trip through very different regions.
- Long sandy beaches: Cuba has miles of white sand, for example at Varadero and on the small cays off the coast. Bonaire does not.
If you want a tour of cities, dancing and long beaches, Cuba is the logical choice. A trip to Cuba does take preparation: power cuts, a complicated situation around cash and bank cards, and products that are not always available. Check your government’s official travel advice before you go, because the situation changes regularly.
What makes Bonaire different
Bonaire revolves around the sea, nature and planning your own day. These are the differences our guests notice most.
Diving and snorkelling straight from the shore
Along the west coast you will see yellow stones beside the road. They mark the dive and snorkel sites, such as 1000 Steps, Bachelor’s Beach and Andrea I. You park, put on your fins and walk into the water. You do not need a boat: the reef often starts just a few metres from shore.
The entire coastal zone is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, which has existed since 1979. Park manager STINAPA charges a nature fee, which you pay before your first dive or snorkel. That money goes directly towards managing the reef and the parks.
Peace, space and safety
Bonaire feels like a village. People greet each other on the road, and you drive along the coast without traffic jams. Common sense still applies (do not leave valuables visible in your car), but our guests generally find the island safe and relaxed. Want to see flamingos? Drive to Gotomeer or past the salt pans near Pekelmeer, where you often have them almost to yourself.
Dutch healthcare, rules and US dollars
Since 2010, Bonaire has been a special municipality of the Netherlands, so Dutch rules apply and Kralendijk has its own hospital. Almost everyone speaks Dutch, alongside Papiamentu, English and Spanish. You do pay in US dollars, and debit and credit cards work almost everywhere.
Direct flights and independent stays
From Amsterdam you fly direct to Flamingo Airport. After arrival you pick up your rental car, which you really need on Bonaire: public transport is almost non-existent. Most visitors do not stay in a large all-inclusive resort but in an apartment or holiday home.
You have breakfast on your terrace, pick a different dive site every day and cook in the evening or eat out in Kralendijk. Want the water right at your doorstep? Take a look at our waterfront villas at Casa Pimienta.
Dry climate outside the hurricane belt
Bonaire has a dry climate with cacti, bare hills and little rain. The island also lies south of the usual hurricane track, so a direct hit is rare. You can read more in our blog on hurricanes and Bonaire. You can visit all year round, whereas in Cuba you need to watch the weather more closely during hurricane season.
Honest about the downsides of Bonaire
Bonaire is not for everyone, so here are the drawbacks:
- Coral rubble instead of sand: many beaches consist of small coral pieces, so water shoes are no luxury. For white sand, head to Klein Bonaire, Sorobon at Lac Bay or Te Amo Beach. Compared to Cuba, those beaches are small.
- Higher supermarket prices: almost everything arrives by ship. Expect higher prices than in Europe, especially for dairy and fresh produce.
- Little nightlife: Kralendijk has bars and restaurants, but clubs and nightlife streets are scarce. By ten o’clock, many places are already quiet.
- You need a car: without a rental car, you miss most of the island.
These drawbacks are also why Bonaire stays quiet. Mass tourism never took hold here, and you notice it on the beaches and at the dive sites.
Quick decision table: Cuba or Bonaire?
Still in doubt? Use this table as a guide.
| What are you looking for? | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Colonial cities and culture | Cuba |
| Salsa and nightlife | Cuba |
| Long white sandy beaches | Cuba |
| Diving and snorkelling from the shore | Bonaire |
| Peace, space and safety | Bonaire |
| Dutch healthcare and rules | Bonaire |
| Direct flights from Amsterdam | Bonaire |
| Independent stay with a rental car | Bonaire |
Do most of your answers fall in the bottom half? Then the Cuba vs Bonaire decision is probably easy.
Frequently asked questions about Cuba vs Bonaire
Is Bonaire more expensive than Cuba?
Often it is, especially for groceries and eating out. Prices on Bonaire are transparent, though, and you pay by card.
Can I lie on the beach on Bonaire?
Yes, but the beaches are smaller and often made of coral. For sand, go to Sorobon, Te Amo Beach or Klein Bonaire.
Do I need a diving certificate to enjoy Bonaire?
No. You can snorkel from the shore without any certificate. If you do want to learn to dive, many dive schools on the island offer a PADI course.
Can I combine Cuba and Bonaire?
In theory, yes, but there is no direct flight between the two islands, so most travellers choose one island per trip.
Which island suits you depends on what you are looking for. If it is the sea, quiet and your own schedule, we are happy to help you find a holiday home on Bonaire.