The Onima car route takes you through the picturesque Rincon Valley, passing by charming farms (also known as kanukus), various windmills, and Bonaire's diverse eastern coastline. During this journey, you can navigate via various side paths to breathtaking viewpoints along the coast.
The starting point of this tour is at one of Bonaire's most historically significant stone structures, the imposing white "Mangazina di Rei" building, dating back to the 19th century. Originally used by the Dutch authorities for storing agricultural products and goods for distribution among slaves, this location now serves as a cultural center with a museum. This center highlights the rich history of Rincon and Bonaire, and is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The tour continues past the Cadushy distillery, then deeper inland, passing a popular local gathering place, a traditional kanuku, and a windmill used for water extraction. After passing a large water reservoir, the route leads you to the entrance of Washington Slagbaai National Park, eventually reaching the coastline.
Along the coastline, you will find several spectacular viewpoints, as well as a number of large windmills that provide a substantial portion of the island's energy. This location was strategically chosen because of the constant eastern winds. Further along the coast, near Boka Onima, you find the most intact Native American rock drawings on Bonaire. These intriguing artworks, made by the indigenous population, are estimated to date back about 1000 years. Enlarge the map for a detailed overview of the route.
