Bonaire Is Getting Popular — Here’s How to Take an All-Inclusive Vacation to the Island

Bonaire has always been a diver’s paradise, a place known for reefs that seem to begin right at the shoreline. But the island is now welcoming more and more travelers (and new flights on carriers like JetBlue), and that means people are beginning to look at a new way to experience it: the ease of an all-inclusive vacation.

On Bonaire, the all-inclusive experience isn’t about boutique-sized hideaways — it’s about full-scale Caribbean resorts with beaches, pools, multiple restaurants and on-site dive centers, all paired with the freedom to explore one of the region’s most unspoiled islands. And two resorts stand out above the rest: Plaza Beach & Dive Resort and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino.

Plaza Beach & Dive Resort Bonaire

This is the largest all-inclusive property on the island, and it has the feel of a classic Caribbean resort. Set on a wide stretch of sand just a few minutes from the center of Kralendijk, the Plaza Beach & Dive Resort brings together everything travelers love about an all-inclusive vacation: beachfront rooms, multiple dining options, a lively pool scene and a built-in dive operation.

The resort’s Toucan Diving Center is legendary, offering everything from shore dives to daily boat trips, so you can be underwater as often as you like. And because of Bonaire’s unique reef system, some of the best snorkeling and diving is right off the property itself.

The rooms are large and modern, with terraces that look out over the ocean or the lagoon. The atmosphere is relaxed and social — from the beach bar serving cocktails at sunset to theme nights with live music that stretch into the evening. For travelers who want the structure and comfort of a full all-inclusive while still feeling connected to Bonaire’s marine culture, Plaza is the island’s flagship choice.

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino

Right in Kralendijk, within walking distance of the town’s shops and restaurants, you’ll find one of the island’s most iconic properties: the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort. Its brightly painted buildings and waterfront setting make it instantly recognizable, and for years it’s been the heart of Bonaire’s dive tourism.

The Divi has its own house reef that guests can dive or snorkel anytime, and its dive center runs daily trips to sites across the island. But it’s not just for divers — the resort also offers the option of a complete all-inclusive program, meaning you can spend your days relaxing by the pool, sipping cocktails at the oceanfront bar, and enjoying meals in the restaurants without ever needing to think about the bill.

There’s a unique energy here. Mornings are tranquil, with coffee on your balcony as fishing boats glide past. Afternoons are lively, filled with divers heading out to the reef or families lounging by the pool. And evenings bring a shift — the lights of the Divi Casino glow, music filters across the property, and the resort takes on the feeling of a small island village.

I love the setting here, perched right above Bonaire’s unique brand of blue. It’s simple, it’s rustic, it’s pure chill.

What makes Divi Flamingo special is its location and atmosphere. You’re close enough to town to wander in for a nightcap or some local food, but you still have all the ease and comfort of a self-contained all-inclusive. It’s the kind of place where you can plan everything — or nothing — and it works either way.

Why Bonaire Works for All-Inclusive Travelers

What sets Bonaire apart from other Caribbean destinations is its balance. The resorts give you everything you expect from an all-inclusive — food, drinks, activities — but they don’t feel walled off from the island. You can easily leave the property to explore, whether that means dining in town, driving the island’s famous shore dive circuit, or discovering hidden beaches like Sorobon or Te Amo.

For travelers who are used to bigger all-inclusive destinations like Cancun or Punta Cana, Bonaire feels more intimate, more connected. You get the simplicity of a resort stay, but the island itself is still very much part of the experience.

How to Get There

Bonaire is served by direct flights from several U.S. gateways, including Miami, Houston, Atlanta and New York, along with service from Amsterdam and other European hubs. International flights arrive at Flamingo International Airport, located just five minutes from downtown Kralendijk and a short drive from both Plaza Beach & Dive Resort and Divi Flamingo. That makes getting from the plane to your all-inclusive vacation one of the easiest transitions anywhere in the Caribbean.