The NETHERLANDS
Bonaire, St. Eustatius & Saba
TOURISM UPDATES
On April 09, 2021, the Island Government of Bonaire officially launched its Tourism Recovery Plan. The Plan includes a variety of activities which promote the long-desired transition to “quality tourism”. This type of tourism is focused on generating more income with fewer tourists, while at the same time protecting the core values of the island.
TRAVEL UPDATES
Travelers are advised that all costs, resulting from a possible COVID-19 contamination and observation on Bonaire are the responsibility of the traveler. These include but are not limited to medical costs, quarantine and/or isolation costs or required longer stay. As such, all tourists traveling to Bonaire are recommended to ensure they have travel insurance, inclusive of COVID-19 coverage.
No requirements apply to passengers traveling to Bonaire from the following countries:
Australia, China, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Thailand, Iceland and South Korea.
For countries that are not mentioned above:
Travelers 13 years or older must have a negative coronavirus test to enter Bonaire with a negative .
The results of the following tests are accepted on Bonaire:
1. A negative PCR or NAAT-test result, from a test taken within 24 hours before departure or
2. A negative PCR-test result, from a test taken within 72 hours before arrival, and a negative Antigen-test result, from a test taken within 24 hours before departure
All travelers to Bonaire must also submit a completed health declaration form to the Public Health Department no earlier than 72 hours or later than 48 hours before departure.
The printed health declaration and the coronavirus-test result must be presented at check-in, boarding and arrival on Bonaire.
For detailed travel requirements included the list of high-risk countries where there is a flight ban in place for direct flights to Bonaire please review the Public Entity of Bonaire (OLB) Q&A’S for Travelers and the Bonaire COVID-19 Tourist Protocol before planning your visit.
ISLAND FUN FACTS
Capital: Kralendijk
Population: 20,100
Religion: Roman, Catholic, Protestant
Carnival: Bonaire’s Karnaval (Carnival) season like many others is a pre- Lenten celebration. It occurs during the months of January to March and culminates on Shrove Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday. Several activites are usually planned inclusive of the Tumba Music Festival, Jump-ins, Youth Karnaval Parades and the Grand Karnaval Parade. The season comes to an end with the traditional burning of the effigy King Momo at midnight signalling the end of the Karnaval season and the beginning of Lent.
Currency: US Dollar
Language: Dutch, Papiamento
Side of Street Drive-On: Right
History:
“Just off the coast of Venezuela, this southern Caribbean gem welcomes visitors to its sunny shores. A municipality of the Netherlands, Bonaire has been under Dutch protection since 1636, after winning a war against the Spanish. However, Spanish was still the predominantly spoken language until the late 1800s. With a unique history and cultural tapestry, the island of Bonaire in the Leeward Antilles is a wonderful destination to see a different side of the Caribbean.
History lovers should head to Bonaire Museum. With preserved tools from pre-colonial times, colonial artifacts, and some natural artifacts like coral and fossils. The building of the museum is also a historic site, dating back to 1885!
For those who want to learn more, the Terramar Museum showcases exhibits that focus on specific periods of Bonaire’s history, such as shipbuilding, colonial agriculture, or the native populations. The museums also hosts rotating exhibits, so who knows what you might learn!”
THINGS TO DO
Many events throughout the Caribbean have been either postponed or cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. As countries have begun to adjust to the new normal, events have restarted on a smaller scale and in keeping with health and safety protocols.
While visiting Bonaire you can partake in several sports inclusive of a wide variety of watersports, golf, rappelling and rock climbing just to name a few.
The people of Bonaire hail from many ethnic and racial influences inclusive of persons from African, Indian, Asian and European descent. They observe many traditions and holidays from the various countries.
This is especially seen in theor music which a blend of tribal beats utilising a mix of modern instruments and their traditional farming tools.
Stoba kabritu, a goat stew
“Coral Reefs
Geologically, Bonaire is a unique island. Rather than being the remnants of a volcanic explosion, or the tops of underwater mountains, the entire island is made up of coral reefs. Surrounding the island are even more coral reefs.
Bonaire has a narrow fringing reef, starting practically at the shoreline, that extends to a maximum of 200 feet (60m) depth. in fact, the entire coastline of Bonaire has been declared a marine sanctuary as part of the Bonaire National Marine Park .
Washington Slagbaai National Park
The Washington Slagbaai National Park is located in the northern end of Bonaire. It comprises of two former land plantations, Washington & Slagbaai, which once supplied salt, charcoal, aloe extract, divi-divi pods, and goats for export to Curaçao and Europe.
The Washington National Park was initially founded in 1969 as the first Nature Sanctuary of the Netherlands Antilles. Ten years later, the Slagbaai land plantation was negotiated and added thereby creating the Washington Slagbaai National Park”
The shores of Bonaire are graced with sandy and rocky beaches alike, including Atlantis Beach, Flamingo Beach, Pink Beach and Boka Kokolishi. However, none is quite so as unique as 1000 Step Beach.
With white sands and bleached bits of coral, the semi-hidden beach is any beach-goers dream. There are 67 historic steps (not 1000!), that lead down to the sand and water. Once at the ground level, you can enjoy the pristine snorkeling conditions, admire the surrounding limestone cliffs, and delight in the wildlife.
For those who love the national bird of Bonaire, the stunning pink flamingo, head to the south of Bonaire to The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary.
Here, you can see flamingos in one of only four breeding grounds in the world. As you observe the stunning pink birds, you will also be able to see the famed Salt Pyramids in the distance, courtesy of Bonaire’s salt industry.
Getting There
“When you decide to make your travel arrangements to Bonaire, be prepared for a lengthy trip. While the Flamingo International Airport does accept international and regional flights, Bonaire is a relatively small island.
Each major carrier, such as United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines, only offer one or two direct flights to Bonaire from key hub airports. Check out Bonaire’s tourism website for a full and updated list of these flight plans.
Several cruise lines offer itineraries that include Bonaire. However, one of the most popular is Royal Caribbean, which is featured on many of their Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries. Caribbean cruise itineraries.featured on many of their Southern Caribbean cruise itinerariespopular is Royal Caribbean, which is featured on many of their Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Several cruise lines offer itineraries that include Bonaire. However, one of the most popular is Royal Caribbean, which is featured on many of their Southern Caribbean cruise itinerariestourism website for a full and updated list of these flight plans.
Several cruise lines offer itineraries that include Bonaire. However, one of the most popular is Royal Caribbean, which is featured on many of their Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries.”
ST. EUSTATIUS ISLAND FUN FACTS
St. Eustatius is a volcanic island and very small, all of the beaches on the island are made up of black volcanic sand. These volcanic sands, especially one of the more popular nesting beaches called Zeelandia.
Capital: Oranjestad
Population: 3,138(Revised in 2019)
Area: 21 km2 (8 sq mi)
Country: The Netherlands (Caribbean Netherlands)
Religion: Christian
Carnival: Golden Rock Regatta (November)
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Side of Street Drive-On: Right
History:
In 1781 St.Eustatius was colonized by the French and after a series of wars Dutch occupied from 1861 to the present.
For Covid-19 updates :
St. Eustatius Entry Policy as of 16th March 2021. To enter St. Eustatius, you must register by email to Statia Government.
Email address: info.covid19@statiagov.com
Health declaration form: https://www.statiagovernment.com/key-topics/covid-19/documents/forms/2021/01/25/health-application-form
Your email must provide information such as motivation, planned date of entry, name, date of birth, nationality, which country or countries you stayed during the last 14 days, and (if applicable) your preferred place to stay during the quarantine period.
Persons from high-risk countries need to have a negative COVID 19-NAAT test taken within 72 hours before arriving on Statia. Approval will be within 48 hours after receiving the request.
For more information on Covid regulation of the island St.Eustatius, please visit here the official island website of St.Eustatius
THINGS TO DO IN ST. EUSTATIUS
St.Eustatius is tourism is mainly on the Lime and Dine, the sports and the natural parks. There are very important nesting sites for several endangered sea turtles such as the green turtle, leatherback, loggerhead, and hawksbill.
Popular sports of St. Eustatius are football, futsal, softball, basketball, swimming, and volleyball.
The island is mainly under Dutch influence.
“Statia Taste of the Cultures” is a local’s favorite place to go.
This event was made with people’s food and fun in mind, creating an atmosphere where all cultures on the island can unite, and it is working.
The national dish on St. Eustatius is “Goat meat rice and peas with provisions”.
- Sint Eustatius National Parks
- Dutch reformed church
- Fort de Windt
- Zeelandia Beach
- Lynch Beach
- Gallows Bay
- Back-off Bay
- Compagnie Bay
- Concordia Bay
- Great Bay
- Venus Bay
- Jenkins Bay
- Tumbledown dick Bay
- Oranjestad Bay
Nature Parks of the island:
- Quill/Boven National Park
- Mount Mazinga
- Sint Eustatius National Marine Park
- Miriam Schmidt Botanical Garden
- Colorful sailing race
- St. Estatuis Carnival held in November every year
Getting There to St. Eustatius
Airport: Statia can be reached by a short flight from the international airport of St. Maarten, just a 20-minute flight with Winair and Trans Anguilla Airways
By Sea: Island can be reached by Cruise and boats/Ferries from St.Marteen
SABA ISLAND FUN FACTS
SABA ” The unspoiled queen of the Caribbean”
Capital: The Bottom
Population: 1,933 (2020 Census)
Area: 13km2 (5 sq mi)
Country: The Netherlands (Caribbean Netherlands)
Religion: Christian
Language: Dutch & English
Carnival: Carnival queen contest, a calypso king competition(last week of July)
Side of Street Drive-On: Right
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
History:
Saba has been inhabited by the Ciboney people in 1100 BC. In the 1640s the Dutch colonize the island for the Dutch West India Company.
For Covid-19 updates :
As of March 10, 2021, Saba is now partially reopening its borders on May 1, 2021. Quarantining will be lifted for fully vaccinated persons, quarantining for non-vaccinated persons will be five days and vaccinated day
trippers will be welcome again.
Travelers have to travel to SABA from St.Maarten, therefore, travel requirements follow as per St.Maarten government rules and regulations.
Mandatory check-ins to enter St.Maarten:
- Covid-19 test – Tests must be done 72 hours prior to travel and must comply with the FDA-approved antigen test. For the US and Canada EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) test is accepted.
- Health authorization application – Passenger details and health conditions are to be filled out in the following application https://stmaartenehas.com/
- Mandatory Covid-19 Insurance – The government has come up with new beneficial regulations as the St.Maarten visitors protection plan. The mandatory insurance costs cover hospital costs, transportation costs, insolation expenses, isolation charges, doctor consultations, covid-19 test, and medical evacuation. St.Maarten visitors protection plan Insurance is to be applied here https://www.sxmprotectionplan.com/
For the latest updates of Covid regulation of the island Saba, please visit here the official island website of SABA
THINGS TO DO IN SABA
Saba is known for Eco tourism, Sea Tours, Shopping and Activities.
Football, futsal, softball, and volleyball are the popular sports of Saba island.
Other activities such as Mountaineering, hiking, and marine diving are seen in and around the island of Saba.
Saba’s culture bears the influence of its early settlers, among them the English, Scottish, Africans, and Dutch.
Tropics Café, Choi & Suzan Chinese Restaurant, Long Haul Grill, Island Flavor
- Harry L Johnson Museum
- Saba Heritage Centre
- Hell’s Gate
- Sulphur Mine
- Old Customs House at “The Ladder”
- Tent Bay Beach
- Cove Bay Beach
- Wells Bay
- Spring Bay
- Ladder Bay
- Great level Bay
- Saba National Marine Park
- Mount Scenery & its trail routes
- Dutch Wall reef
- Tenet wall reef
- Tide pools
Getting There to SABA
Airport: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba
By sea: The ferry from St. Maarten & St.Eustatius. Also, Private boats are available booking in advance required.