In Bonaire, a New Kind of Dutch Caribbean Vacation
It’s always been the Caribbean capital of diving, a haven for sustainability and the natural environment.
But now another side of Bonaire is in the spotlight, as more and more travelers appreciate Bonaire’s place as the culinary star of the ABC islands, where world-class eateries abound and a cocktail and a fine spirits culture continues to grow.
And that’s the thinking behind the island’s newest event, Bonaire Rum Week, a weeklong festival highlighting the finest premium rums from the Caribbean and the island’s buzzing gastronomic movement.
“Bonaire has become one of the Caribbean’s top gourmet destinations, led by an impressive collection of world-class eateries and some terrific bars,” says Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal, which is organizing the event hosted by Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “With Bonaire Rum Week, we’re celebrating rum as an artisanal, ultra-premium spirit, set against the backdrop of this impossibly beautiful, pristine island.”
Bonaire Rum Week is set for June 14-17, with a full slate of events that give travelers and locals the chance to sample some of the Caribbean region’s top rums and indulge in Bonaire’s culinary culture.
The event kicks off with an opening party by Rum Papiamento at Rum Runners; that’s followed on June 15 by a rum-on-the-beach tasting at the Plaza Beach Resort and a cocktail competition at Tiki & Co.
June 16 sees a rum lunch prepared by the Harbour Village Beach Club’s talented Chef Britt Thomassen, followed by a Happy Hour at Buddy Dive by the celebrated Clifton Estate Rum from Nevis.
On the morning of June 17 at Delfins, there’s a rum tasting seminar for local bartenders; and then there’s the party piece: a final Bonaire Rum Week dinner at the Brass Boer, the Caribbean outpost of the three-Michelin-star culinary team of Johnny and Therese Boer, followed by Papa’s Pilar’s rum-and-cigar pairing evening at the Delfins Beach Resort.
“We are happy to see how many partners are interested in being part of the first Bonaire Rum Week,” Tourism Corporation said in a statement. “By organizing this event, we will showcase Bonaire as more than just a diving destination, and give our visitors the opportunity to experience Bonaire in a different way. We are looking forward to an exciting week where both our visitors and locals can mingle and enjoy.”
Bonaire Rum Week hotel partners include Delfins Beach Resort; Harbour Village Beach Club; Plaza Beach and Dive Resort Bonaire; Captain Don’s Habitat; Buddy Dive Resort; Bellafonte Bonaire; and Bamboo Bonaire.
The festival’s host rum is the island’s celebrated local rum, Rom Rincon, joined by more than a dozen rums from across the wider Caribbean.
Caradonna Adventures is the official travel partner for Bonaire Rum Week (you can find more on packages here).
To reserve the final dinner at Delfins, please contact reservations@delfinsbeachresort.com. For the Harbour Village Rum Lunch, contact reservations@harbourvillage.com.
For more, visit Bonaire Rum Week.
Bonaire Rum Week is CJ’s second major rum event in the Caribbean, joining the existing Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, set for Nov. 1-6, 2022, a weeklong festival and the Caribbean’s premier rum competition.
