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ErikK805
OK, there is the good and the bad. One first remark, officially this is only for reviewing the Boca (=bay) "Slagbaai" in the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Not the entire park....On the other hand, what could have been different (and positive) for the "boca slagbaai" isn't anymore: no restaurant/bar, no toilets; just a stoney sand-beach after one hour of driving. Getting there with your truck costs USD 25,- pp (which includes your snorkling/diving fee and as many as you like re-entrances of the park). And at the entrance of the park there is a tiny visitor center and a small bar where you can buy a can of coke or whatever else is left plus maybe something to eat. The park itself is worth one visit, driving through it and watching nature and some very, very nice beaches and caves is really worth the trip. For the money, we would have expected a little bit more amenities and enthusiasm at least at one spot in the park. Boca Slagbaai would have been the ideal location for that......Back in Rincon: we went to Rose Inn for a nice authentic Stoba (stew), in a very local setting. Great end of a mixed-feelings trip.
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EJAdec2009
When you arrive at the park you need a picture id to enter. There is a small museum that includes information about Bonaire, the history of the island and the former plantation. It's a solemn part of the island's history. You are instructed to either take the long or short drive. The long drive goes along the coast and is very scenic.the park is where the natural terrain of the island is maintained. The dessert foliage with pencil thin cacti cover the area, you first drive along black volcanic rock - looks like a moonscape. This is on the Windward side of the island and the waves are crashing against the rocks - quite beautiful. We found a perfect cove to snorkel with a white sandy beach and amazing coral reef teeming with beautiful fish. Lots of iguanas and lizards around also. There are also dive sites as well. Some appeared to have strong currents. On our drive after snorkeling we stopped to admire the flamingos in the salt ponds.just breathtaking . You must have a 4 wheel drive to traverse the roads. At the end of the road you cross the park and it's mostly cacti but it's a beautiful arid landscape. Although the park is beautiful and nicely preserved the plantation had a bad past abusing people even after they were slaves.
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286zacharyt
Nice spot. Enter on the far left in the sandy area to snorkel or dive. Little busier than other spots in the park. Flamingos can be seen in the adjacent salt flat.
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turfitjam
There is no restaurant or amenities at this site anymore, except toilet facilities. We drove 1 1/2 hrs through the park ( lots of cactii!!) hoping to have a snorkel and lunch but no go, so we then drove another 40 mins to get out of the park (it's a one-way drive on very bumpy roads) and ended up having lunch in Rincon (Rose's Inn) which was very nice. The park itself was pretty disappointing although we did see some a couple of parrots, some very friendly iguanas and a few flamingos at a distance,
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mikep_05
Well, if you like cactus it's the place to go beside that just few coral beaches and you can see pink flamingos if lucky enough. Better to go with a 4x4 if you have to. It takes quite a while to visit as you have to drive a lot and slowly due to row roads
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emailtheberrys
This site is in the actual marine park. It is a serious drive through the marine park. The roads are terrible but the scenery is cool. We hit this dive while there. Not too bad getting in and out. Lots of marine life to see.
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andres105
Boka Slagbaai is beautiful place where you can drive thtough with a 4WheelDrive. Just look at the flamingos, enjoy the view, have a swim ,snorkel and most of all go diving! Use a car with good A/C though
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azdanowicz
One of the most beautiful dive sites in Bonaire with very easy access and all necessary facilities at the beach.
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arbin
While in Bonaire we wanted to jump off the cliff in the park. We decided to make the trek and do some diving as well at the park. Once we arrived we checked out the cliff, and felt a bit u-easy about the depth of the water we were going to jump into. Did our dives (which were ok) and decided to pass on the cliff dive. Probably would have done it if there were other jumpers, but the water just did not seem deep enough. We have jumped off the cliff in Curacao at Playa Forti, ....maybe next time. The park itself was arid with not much to see while driving except for cactus and the rare goat. Glad we went to see it, but won't be rushing back anytime soon.
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621sabineb
If you haven't seen tha national park you haven't seen Bonaire. We drove through the park with a very small car, I would recommend a pick up. Beautiful diverse scenery