The island of Bonaire is set for its most exciting event in years this June with the launch of Bonaire Rum Week Presented by Caribbean Journal. 

The celebration of premium rum will run across the Dutch Caribbean island from June 14-17, with multiple events each day. 

“We are endlessly excited about bringing Bonaire Rum Week to the island,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal (CJ), which conceived of and is organizing the event, in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “It’s a truly unique rum event, one that lets travelers and locals experience world-class rums while enjoying the pristine beauty of Bonaire.”

Indeed, that’s what makes this event so unique. 

Equally satisfying for both rum neophytes and connoisseurs, it takes the traditional rum festival concept and reimagines it for the Caribbean — instead of stuffy expo halls, think oceanfront bars and tropical gardens, with each event allowing guests to sample and learn about rums from across the wider Caribbean Basin. 

“First and foremost, rum is a Caribbean product,” says Guy Britton, managing editor of CJ. “And that’s precisely the focus of Bonaire Rum Week — to shine a light on the amazing rums of this beautiful region, including some terrific rums out of the Dutch Caribbean.” 

The event begins with a welcome party at Bonaire’s premier bar, the legendary Rum Runners, presented by Aruba’s Papiamento Rum. 

Other featured events include a Rum on the Beach party at the Plaza Beach Resort; a cocktail competition by Ron Diplomatico; a Rum Lunch at the Harbour Village Beach Club by San Juan Artisan Distillers; an Oceanside Happy Hour by Clifton Estate Rum; a Rum Tasting Workshop for Bartenders at the Delfins Beach Resort; a Rum in the Gardens Happy Hour at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort by Rom Rincon.

The event culminates in a rum-pairing dinner at the Brass Boer, the Caribbean restaurant of three-Michelin-starred Chefs Johnny and Therese Boer, followed by a cigar-and-rum pairing event with Papa’s Pilar. 

“Bonaire has long been primarily a diving destination; with Bonaire Rum Week, we are looking to spotlight the island’s growing culinary culture, both in the glass and on the plate,” Britell said. 

It’s even easier to visit Bonaire Rum Week, following the island’s recent decision to remove all testing rules — meaning vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers can visit the island without the need to take a test or show proof of vaccination.

CJ, the world’s largest travel media company covering the Caribbean, is also behind the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, the annual rum event in the French Caribbean, in partnership with the Rhum Room, the world’s leading rum bar. 

For more, visit Bonaire Rum Week. 

For more on the St Barth event, visit the Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth. 

Caradonna Adventures is the official travel partner for Bonaire Rum Week (you can find more on packages here).

For the Harbour Village Rum Lunch, contact reservations@harbourvillage.com. 

For the Brass Boer final dinner, contact reservations@delfinsbeachresort.com. 

For all other questions, contact rum@caribjournal.com.

Participating rums include: Papa’s Pilar; Papiamento Rum; Gosling’s Rum; Ron Diplomatico; Don Q; Ron Barcelo; Clifton Estate; Rom Tambu; Dutch Head Rum; Siesta Key; San Juan Artisan Distillers; Shaman’s Rum; and Rum San Pablo.

Bonaire Rum Week Partners include Tourism Corporation Bonaire; Caradonna Adventures; Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire; Captain Don’s Habitat, Rum Runners, Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire; Harbour Village Beach Club; Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire; Bellafonte Bonaire; Bamboo Bonaire; Bonaire Tours & Vacations; Cadushy Distillery; Kestrel and Tiki & Co.

The Wine Factory Bonaire is the exclusive distributor partner of Bonaire Rum Week.