Whether or not it’s the meals (together with the Caribbean’s primary restaurant final 12 months) or the diving or the journey, Bonaire has at all times been one of many coolest locations to go to within the Caribbean — however getting there’s not at all times simple. Every day service has been uncommon, even on main carriers like American Airways and United, and a mixture of excessive flight costs and sporadic schedules have made it, effectively, a problem.
However Bonaire simply received an enormous enhance from its latest air provider: JetBlue, which kicked off its first-ever New York-Bonaire service on Nov. 10 and is already making a large influence to the island’s tourism business.
The island reported 16,626 guests in November — a 19.5 p.c soar over the identical month in 2023. That represented one of many best-performing Novembers of any vacation spot within the Caribbean this 12 months.
The perfect signal for the island is that each one this progress got here with simply two-thirds of the month with JetBlue. It ought to portend a really robust December with a full month of New York flights below its belt.
Proper now, JetBlue is flying the route 3 times per 30 days, with service on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. What about costs? Flights this month are as little as $505.24 in JetBlue’s Blue Primary fare (the no-frills choice, which incorporates only a carry-on).
In different excellent news for the island, its wonderful Delfins Seaside Resort (a resort we’ve stayed at a number of occasions and strongly advocate) might be reworked right into a Hilton — a Tapestry Assortment by Hilton resort, to be actual.
That needs to be one other boon for the island, with the anticipated enhance in guests because of Hilton’s broad advertising and marketing and loyalty community — which must also assist fill all these JetBlue seats.
If the early returns are any indication, we may very well be seeing excess of thrice-weekly JetBlue flights within the close to to medium time period. Is Fort Lauderdale-Bonaire subsequent? We positive hope so.
Are you planning a trip to Bonaire? The island has a formidable assortment of smaller, largely boutique inns, many with residential model (that’s, kitchens or kitchenettes) configurations. A number of the inns we’ve stayed in these days and cherished? The adults-only Bamboo Bonaire, a cool, wellness-driven lodge with some notably pretty bungalow-style rooms with non-public plunge swimming pools within the patios. Rooms from $207.20 Should you’re in search of the island’s luxurious choice, it’s the Harbour Village Seaside Membership, house to arguably the very best seaside in Bonaire and a novel, serene atmosphere. It’s often our best choice once we keep on the island. Rooms from $468.
