Kralendijk, Bonaire (July 26, 2007) – While best known for its world-renowned pristine underwater world with more than 80 marked dive and snorkel sites, Bonaire is also the ideal place to enjoy mountain biking.
Bonaire offers more than 300km of marked mountain bike trails with varying levels of difficulty and lengths. Some courses consist of unpaved roads while others have steeper inclines on dirt goat paths, which can be explored on your own or with a guide. Bike trails are marked by a series of orange painted rocks, and paths allow the opportunity to stop for a picnic, take a hike, sightsee and snorkel along the way.
Here’s a sampling of the adventures that await cyclists:
Coastal Trail/Rincon: Enjoy breathtaking views of Bonaire’s northern coastline and the historic town of Rincon on this 15 mile path that guides cyclists along paved and dirt roads through Rincon and back to the STINAPA offices. The trail is mostly flat with one medium incline. Optional diversions include a longer circuit from Gotomeer to Rincon, an even longer circuit on the main paved Rincon-Kralendijk road, or an extension past BOPEC to Playa Frans.
East Coast Trail: This 22 mile path crosses the island to Lagun on Bonaire’s eastern coast and follows the raised cliff line to Boca Oliva with great viewpoints along the way. You can take alternative return routes by road or by hill track over the west coast road. The trail is generally flat except for the hill track, which gently inclines to 367 feet.
Lagun-Cai Trail: This 21.5 mile path follows flat, mostly dirt roads through rural Bonaire passing Lagun on the east coast, Cai in Lac Bay where you can stop to enjoy the beach and take a swim, and the mangroves where you can enjoy a snorkel.
Seru Largu Trail: A short local circuit, this 7.5 mile path includes rural areas and the scenic viewpoint from the top of the hill. The path is mainly by dirt road and includes a steep climb to the viewpoint of Kralendijk and Klein Bonaire at 413 feet.
Southern Trail: This 25 mile flat paved path circles the south end of the island passing the salt hills, slave huts and Lac Bay.
On July 29, 2007 Bonaire Wellness Connexions hosts their first in a series of mountain bike races.The race follows an adapted route similar to the Coastal/Rincon Trail, and allows children ages 12-13 to compete on a 3.9km route, children ages 14-16 on a 7.8km route and adults on either a 7.8km beginner’s route or a 15.6km route for more advanced cyclists. The entry fee is $9 for children and $15 for adults. For more information about Bonaire Wellness Connexions, e-mail info@bonairewellness.com or call (599) 717-3637, ext 608.
For those preferring a guide, full-day and half-day excursions are also available. As well, Washington-Slagbaai National Park is open to guided bicycle excursions, allowing cyclists to access some of the island’s most beautiful and scenic beaches and snorkel sites, such as Playa Funchi and Boca Slagbaai, by mountain bike.
For those who’d rather go it alone using Bonaire’s Cycling Trails Map, mountain bikes are available for rent, including 21-speed TREK and 21-speed Giant bikes specially outfitted for off-road exploring.
Companies that rent bicycles or offer guided tours include Bonaire Tours & Vacations (tel 599/717-8778), Bonaire Wellness Connexions (tel 599/717-3637, ext 608), Buddy Dive Resort (tel 599/717-5080), Cycle Bonaire/Discover Bonaire (tel 599/717-7558), De Freewieler (tel 599/717-8545), Outdoor Bonaire (tel 599/717-8545) and Rento Fun Drive (tel 599/717-2408).
Located 86 miles east of Aruba, the Dutch-Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities, including world-renowned scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, landsailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, birdwatching, sailing and deep-sea and bonefishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guest houses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.
For more information on Bonaire, call the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the US at (800) BONAIRE.
For your FREE on-line Bonaire travel guide, visit www.caribbean.com.
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