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Country Guide > Caribbean > Bonaire | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink The restaurants serve predominantly Creole cooking, particularly seafood dishes, including conch shell meat, grilled spicy fish and lobster. Island specialities include iguana soup and kabrito stoba (goat stew). A variety of Chinese, French, Indonesian, Italian and international cooking can also be found. There are several hotels, restaurants and bars in Kralendijk to choose from. Restaurants and bars are usually closed by midnight. Nightlife This is centred on both the main hotels and restaurants. Having eaten, evening entertainment includes dancing or listening to reggae groups or calypso steel bands at the many oceanside bars and cafes. The island has two discos and two casinos. Shopping The reductions on duty free imports make the purchase of some perfume, jewellery or alcohol well worthwhile. Bonaire prides itself on its unique, specialist stores. Watches, Dutch cheese, fine China and Cuban cigars are usually sold. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800/0900-1200 and 1400-1800. Larger supermarkets are open Mon-Sat 0730/0800-1900, with some open Sun 1100-1400. Hours generally vary widely and those stated above must be treated simply as guidelines. Special Events The following is a selection of special events occurring in Bonaire in 2005; for a complete list and exact dates, consult Tourism Corporation Bonaire (see Contact Addresses section): Jan Carnival season opens; Tumba Festival Contest, Kralendijk; Maskarada. Jan-Feb Carnival Adult Parade. Feb International Fishing Tournament. Feb 8 Grand Farewell Parade with the Burning of King Momo. Mar 5km Fun Run Time. Apr 15th Karels Beach Bar Sailing Competition. Apr 1 Simadam (harvest) Festival, Rincon. Apr 15-22 Dive into Earth Week. Apr 30 Round Race 70km Bonaire Cycle Club. May 1 Dutch Antilles Windsurfing Challenge. May 22-29 3rd Annual King of the Caribbean Freestyle Windsurfing Competition. Jun 9th Annual Dive Festival. Jul 3 13th Annual Bonaire Arts Day. Aug 18th Copa Cultimora at Sorobon. Sep Bonaire Bikers MC Flag Day Weekend 2005. Sep 6 "Dia di Bonaire", Bonaire Day (Rincon). Oct 2-8 38th Bonaire International Sailing Regatta, Kai di Regatta and Sorobon. Oct 21 Antillean Day. Dec 5 Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) Birthday. Social Conventions Dutch customs are still prevalent throughout the islands, although they are increasingly subject to US influence. Dress is casual and lightweight cottons are advised. Bathing suits should be confined to beach and poolside areas only. Nudity is prohibited on beaches except at Sorobon Beach Resort, a privately owned nudist resort. Tipping: There is normally a 10 per cent service charge in restaurants and a 6 per cent tax. Tipping is not widely practised but porters are usually given 50 cents-US$1 per bag; taxi drivers are generally given 10 per cent of the fare. |