The Biggest Rum Festival in the Dutch Caribbean

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - June 4, 2023

The biggest rum festival in the Dutch Caribbean is set to begin with the second edition of Bonaire Rum Week.

The weeklong celebration of premium rum is an action-packed slate of oceanfront events across the island, from rum tastings to culinary experiences to an undersea “rum hunt.”

This year’s event runs from June 12-17, culminating with a rum-infused Taste of Bonaire festival on June 17.

That includes a final dinner at the number one-ranked restaurant in the Caribbean, the Brass Boer, the Caribbean outpost of the three-Michelin-star Die Librije in The Netherlands.

“We can’t wait for another edition of Bonaire Rum Week, a revolutionary event that takes rum festivals outside of musty expo halls and right to the water’s edge, where Caribbean rum is meant to be enjoyed,” said Alexander Britell, co-founder of Bonaire Rum Week, which is organized by Caribbean Journal in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

The event kicks off with a grand opening party at the iconic Rum Runners bar, with events at top hotels around the island, including a Rum on the Beach party at Plaza Beach Resort, a sunset happy hour at the Divi Flamingo Resort; a cocktail party at the Buddy Dive resort and a rum-pairing lunch at the Harbour Village Beach Club.

Thursday, June 16 is Buddy Dive’s Rum Hunt, which will see divers look for hidden stones underwater that correspond with bottles of rum on land.

Many of the world’s top rums will be on hand, including Diplomatico, Papa’s Pilar; El Dorado; Island Company; Angostura; Ron San Pablo; Clifton Estate; Rom Rincon; Ron Barcelo; Havana Club; Siesta Key; Ron Caney; Ron Varadero and more.

You can find the full schedule of events below. For all questions email rum@caribjournal.com.

Monday June 12

VIP event at Bamboo Bonaire

Tuesday June 13

Grand Opening Party at Rum Runners (open to the public) 530 PM

Rum Runners rum pairing dinner

Wednesday June 14

Rum on the Beach at Plaza Resort 5-8 PM

A Taste of Cuba at La Casa del Habano Bonaire 8PM

Thursday June 15

Rum Hunt at Buddy Dive 12PM

5-Course Rum Lunch at Harbour Village Beach Club