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Kralendijk -  Set alongside a picturesque harbour on the west coast, the tiny capital of Kralendijk ("coral dike" in Dutch) is Bonaire's commercial centre and the first stop for anyone visiting the island. Marked by a few low-rise buildings painted in pretty pastel colours and a handful of narrow streets, the town holds most of the island's government buildings, shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. There's not much to do or see in town, other than shop or dine at the restaurants, many of which are on the waterfront. The town's couple of historical buildings and small cultural museum won't take more than an hour or two to explore. Kralendijk can seem chaotic at times, especially when hordes of cruise-ship passengers crowd the small streets and zip around on mopeds or bicycles. The best time to see the town therefore is late afternoon, when the cruise ships have departed. Due to the many one-way streets the town is easiest to explore on foot, and you won't need a map to see the few attractions, many of which are found close to the coast on the main roads of Kaya Charles E.B. Helimund and Kaya Grandi. Perhaps the best place to get your bearings is follow the colourful waterfront thoroughfare known as Kaya Jan N.E Craane, which merges with Kaya Charles E.B. Helimund toward the south end of town. Along this route you'll find several government buildings, shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the occasional Dutch Caribbean-style building painted yellow and gold. Benches and a few palm trees en route make this stretch a popular place to take in the tropical surroundings or catch the sunset. On the north end of the route, Karel's Pier is home to a favourite watering hole for locals and tourists, as well as Pirate Cruises and Seacow Watertaxi. Across the way, you can also browse through the shops, boutiques and restaurants of the Harbourside Mall . Further south and closer to the centre of Kralendijk is the Town Pier, often referred to as the North Pier and a superb spot for night diving. Its underwater pillars are encrusted with sponges, corals and other sea creatures, all of which come to life after sundown. The pier can be extremely busy at times with heavy cruise-ship and boat traffic, and you must obtain permission from the Harbourmaster if you wish to dive here. The Harbourmaster's office is located in Fort Oranje, a few metres to the south and across from the smaller Ro-Ro Pier.

Next door to the North Pier is a small open-air market where vendors peddle fresh produce and fish from Venezuela. Several souvenir stands selling locally made wooden handicrafts and artwork are usually set up inland across the avenue in Wilhelminaplein , a courtyard near the Protestant church. Here you'll find a monument honouring Eleanor Roosevelt's 1944 visit to American troops stationed on the island, as well as the Van Walbeck Monument , commemorating the landing in 1634 of the director of the Dutch West India Company. At the southern end of the route sits the South Pier , which receives a fair amount of marine traffic. On the way you'll pass small, mustard-coloured Fort Oranje with its four cannons and stone lighthouse. The fort was built by the Dutch in 1817 to protect the island's flourishing salt industry, and has since served as a prison and a storage depot. Today, the fort is home to the city hall and a few government offices. There's really not much to see inside the buildings, and most people are content with taking a few snapshots and moving on. Running parallel to the waterfront a block inland from Kaya Jan N.E. Craane is another main road, the short stretch of Kaya Grandi , where you'll find the tourist information centre and many of the island's shops, boutiques and restaurants. Graphic sourced with thanks from Skyscrapercity.com The town's only other noteworthy sight is a ten-minute walk east of town. The quaint Bonaire Museum , Kaya J.v.d. Ree 7 (Mon-Fri 8am-noon & 1-5pm; US$1.50, children US$1), is worth a visit for its tiny but interesting collection of old photographs, artefacts and exhibits of folkloric costumes.


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Featured Businesses and Services in Kralendijk

  • Little Havana

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to Little Havana Cigar Bar, Kralendijk, Bonaire. Anton and Peak, both from Rotterdam, arrived in Bonaire in September 2003. After a few months they opened the Havana Cigar Bar, Little Havana. As a long time collector of jazz for 50 years it was a ...

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  • Wannadive Divers

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to Wannadive Divers the on-site Diving Operator at the Golden Reef Inn, Kralendijk, Bonaire. The resort is fully equipped to handle all your Diving needs. Wannadive Divers can offer air, Nitrox and Trimix if needed! There are rinse facilities and ...

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Other Businesses and Services in Kralendijk

  • Piedra So

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to the Bonairean Golf Club Piedra So, situated at the Port Bonaire Resort, Kalendijk, that offers and which offers you an 18 hole Golf course located at the beautiful east coast, a little bit south of the Lagun area. The Piedra So Golf Club was st...

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  • Boedha Bar

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to The Boedha Bar located centrally in The Lodge, Kralendijk, Bonaire. The opening hours of the Boedha Bar are most days at about 4 or 5 pm and occasionally as early at 7am! When staying at The Lodge, it is a must to socialise at The Boedha Bar,...

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  • Blachi Koko

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to Blachi Koko, Kralendijk, Bonaire. Named for the prolific coconut palms in Bonaire’s native language Papiamentu…Blachi Koko Apartments are truly unique…reflecting the inviting influence of Caribbean ...

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  • City Cafe Restaurant

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to City Cafe Restaurant Bonaire is one of the islands of the lower Netherlands Antilles. It is an easygoing, cosy and friendly island. The capital of Bonaire is Kralendijk. In the centre of this town, along the boulevard, you’ll...

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  • Caribbean Chillout

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to the Caribbean Chillout in Kralendijk, Bonaire. The Caribbean Chillout is only a stone's throw away from the beach and about 15 minutes walk from Playa Kralendijk (The Centrum) where you will find a small apartment complex. The location is beaut...

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  • Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to the Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments, Kralendijk, Bonaire. Come and visit this small properties waterfront setting of 13 beautiful Apartments that all have oceanfront and sea views, located downtown peaceful Kralendijk. This is also the only place...

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  • Bonaire Fun

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to Bonaire Fun Apartments, Kralendijk, Bonaire. Bonaire Fun are colorful Mexican Adobe style houses surrounded by a nice tropical garden, which is enclosed by walls. This makes it a very private place. There is a large roof terrace with a very ni...

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  • Tropical Inn

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to the Tropical Inn, Kralendijk, Bonaire. The Tropical Inn Bonaire has very comfortable one-bedroom apartments and all are completely equipped for two 2 persons. The apartments are situated at the swimming pool and surrounded by a tropical garde...

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  • The Lodge

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to The Lodge, a small Bed and Breakfast in Kralendijk, Bonaire. The Lodge has 12 rooms, all recently renovated and just a few minutes walking distance from the beach, for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving in the crystal clear waters of the Car...

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  • El Pueblo

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to El Pueblo Villas, Kralendijk, Bonaire. El Pueblo is situated in one of the most beautiful natural areas of the island of Bonaire. This charming cliff-side area, located in the northern part of the island, covers an elevated terrain, totaling w...

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  • Tropicana Apartments

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to the Tropicana Apartments, Kralendijk, Bonaire. The Tropicana Apartments are typical Caribbean houses surrounded by a garden with palm trees and colorful plants. Every apartment has its own private porch with a palm leaf parasol, a place to jus...

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  • Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

    Located in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

    Welcome to the Sea Turtle Conservation, Kralendijk, Bonaire. The Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire’s mission is to ensure the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations throughout their range. In 1991, a small but dedicated g...

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