The Washington-Slagbaai National Park , located in the northwestern end of Bonaire and covering over 13,500 acres, is an excellent introduction to the natural landscape and vegetation of Bonaire . Comprised of two of the largest former plantations (or kunukus), originally settled by Spanish colonists from South America , the park covers almost one-fifth of the island. Where once this area supplied exports of salt, charcoal, aloe extract, divi-divi pods, and goats to Curaçao and Europe, now it provides a safe haven for terrestrial native and endemic species of Bonaire . Visitors will not only enjoy the scenic vistas within the park, but may also view parrots, flamingos, parakeets, iguanas, wild donkeys, goats and many other species during their visit. The beaches inside the park are an important nesting ground for all four species of sea turtles found in the Caribbean .
The park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm except on official holidays. As a Nature Fee holder you may enter the Washington Slagbaai National Park free of additional charge by showing your dive tag, the written receipt of purchase of your tag and a picture ID (this can be your C-card, driver's license, etc.). Depending on the amount of time you have to explore, you can choose different routes through the park. There are two driving trails, the shorter, green route (17 miles), which takes about two hours to travel, and the longer, yellow route (28 miles), which takes about four hours. These are rugged dirt roads, and only four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.
The latest you are allowed to enter the Park is 2:45 pm. However, cyclists and hikers who plan to climb to Brandaris must enter the Park no later than noon. If you intend on diving, dives should commence prior to 2:30pm, allowing time to vacate the park by 5:00 pm.
For more information on the park, click the link below:
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