Tips for a Day Trip to Washington Slagbaai National Park on Bonaire
Whether you’re on vacation on Bonaire or you live on the island, a day in the national park is always wonderful. Completely unwind in nature, enjoy off-road driving, snorkeling among the most beautiful coral reefs, and relaxing on the beach. Spot parrots and flamingos, climb the Brandaris, and for the true thrill-seekers there’s even the option to go cliff jumping. In short, a day in the park never gets boring. Read the best tips for a day trip to Washington Slagbaai National Park on Bonaire here.
At the entrance of the park you’ll receive a clear map and the ranger will briefly explain what there is to see and do. If you want to prepare well for a day in this beautiful park, read the article below.
Preparation for a perfect day in Washington Park:
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Buy your entrance ticket online
You can easily buy your entrance ticket to the park online via:
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Make sure you leave early
The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00, but after 14:30 you can no longer enter the park.
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Bring enough food and drinks
There is nothing for sale in the park. Water is a must — bring plenty of it. And bring something to eat as well.
History of the National Park
Washington Slagbaai National Park, in the northwest of Bonaire, originally consisted of two parts: Washington and Slagbaai. The Washington section was used as a plantation, where among other things aloe vera and divi-divi trees were cultivated. Salt was also extracted and charcoal was produced. Goats were kept on the plantation for export to Curaçao and Europe.
The area was in the hands of the Herrera family for many years. When Julio Caesar ‘Boy’ Herrera (who at the time owned the Washington plantation) became ill, he decided to sell the area to the government. His condition was that the area be left undisturbed, so that people could enjoy nature there. Herrera wanted to prevent his heirs from selling it to property developers with building plans for the land after his death.
And so Washington National Park opened in 1969. The buildings that still stand at the entrance today, now housing the museum and visitor center, were once the home of the plantation overseer, a small shop, and an office.
In 1977, the Dutch government also managed to purchase the Slagbaai plantation and the adjacent land. This addition to the existing Washington National Park led in 1979 to the name change to the park’s current name: Washington Slagbaai National Park.
The Park Today
To this day we can still be grateful to Boy Herrera for the decision he made at the time. Washington Slagbaai National Park is a magnificent nature reserve. The park teems with endangered animal species. Parrots (loras), parakeets and flamingos fly around freely. It is also a breeding ground for all four species of sea turtles found in the Caribbean. And beneath the water’s surface there are all kinds of beautifully colored fish to be seen. Don’t forget the countless lizards and iguanas either.
The park is also rich in cultural and historical heritage. Think of the old buildings at Slagbaai beach, the Malmok lighthouse, and the previously mentioned museum. In the museum you can find information about the geology and history of the park and its (animal) inhabitants.
The park has four hiking routes, one of which is the climb to the island’s highest peak, the Brandaris. There are also two routes that can be driven by car or bicycle. There are also several spots where you can enter the water to swim, snorkel and dive. Although diving is currently not permitted in Washington Slagbaai National Park due to the coral disease SCTLD.
Opening Hours of the Park
The park is open every day except Monday. If heavy rainfall has made the park inaccessible, this is often announced via the park’s Facebook page. You can also contact the park organization by phone. This prevents you from arriving at a closed gate. The phone numbers are +599 788 9015 and +599 786 5229.
Regular opening hours are from 8:00 to 17:00. After 14:30 no new visitors are admitted. So arrive on time to enjoy everything the park has to offer at your leisure. The map you receive at the entrance lists suggested times for popular spots, including Slagbaai. Make sure you leave those spots before the listed time so you can return to the exit on time.
Getting Around the Park
If you decide to visit the park independently, there are several ways to do so. You can explore the park by car, by bicycle, or on foot, though on foot you’ll have to limit yourself to a small portion of the vast park. Two hiking trails can be reached on foot from the entrance. Scooters, motorcycles, quads, etc. are not permitted in the park. It is not possible to rent a car or bicycle at the park entrance, so you’ll need to arrange this in advance.
The terrain in the park is rugged and the roads are unpaved. Flat stretches alternate with hilly terrain. The roads can sometimes be difficult to navigate, particularly during the rainy season. Deep gullies and a lot of mud can become obstacles, making the park’s maximum speed of 25 km/h often unachievable. It is recommended to enter the park with a 4-wheel drive or 4x4 vehicle. But a somewhat taller car can also handle the park just fine. It is also recommended to bring a spare tire, as flat tires are quite common. A full tank of fuel is a must, a full day of driving, possibly with the air conditioning on, uses a lot of petrol or diesel.
If you’re exploring the park by bicycle, make sure to choose a bike with sufficient tread on the tires and multiple gears. Don’t forget to bring a puncture repair kit. The spines of the cacti can easily puncture a bicycle tire.
Car and Hiking Routes in the Park
The park offers two routes, the long route and the short route, that can be driven by car or cycled. The long route runs along the rugged northeastern coast. Following this route takes you past most of the highlights. The short route goes through the heart of the park and passes, among other things, the starting point for climbing the Brandaris.
The advantage of the short route is that you quickly reach Slagbaai beach, which is handy if you want to swim and snorkel there. At a certain point the two routes merge, so the final section through the park is the same for both.
The park also has four hiking routes, one of which is the climb to the island’s highest peak, the Brandaris. The other two hiking routes are located near the park entrance. The starting points of these routes can be reached on foot from the entrance.
What Should You Bring to the Park?
In the past there was a small restaurant in the park where you could buy refreshments. Unfortunately that is no longer the case, so visitors must bring their own food and drinks. When entering the park, bring a cooler so you can enjoy a picnic at the designated spots. Make sure to bring plenty to drink, especially water. Avoid running out of your water supply halfway through the day.
Don’t forget your swimwear, snorkel set and towel! Washington Slagbaai N.P. has several spots where you can snorkel and dive (no longer permitted since 1 May 2023). Wayaka number 2 is highly recommended for snorkeling, the coral there is stunning. There are no changing facilities at the snorkeling and diving spots, so keep that in mind. The exception is at Slagbaai beach, where there is a building with toilets.
Sunscreen, even if you spend most of the day in the car, don’t forget to bring it. Apply it whenever you step out of the car to look around or swim. Driving through the park with the car windows open? Make sure to apply sunscreen to your arms as well.
Do your eyes a favor too, wear a good pair of sunglasses when exploring Washington Slagbaai National Park. Want to spot birds? Then it’s wise to bring binoculars as well. The best spots for birdwatching are Pos Mangel and the lookout tower, just after you pass Slagbaai.
Want to climb the Brandaris? Don’t forget to bring sturdy shoes. Climbing the mountain in flip-flops is not a good idea. Also, make sure you start the climb before 12:00.
What Is the Entrance Fee for Washington Slagbaai National Park?
The entrance fee is $40 USD per person for adults. Children up to 12 years old enter for free.
Buy your entrance ticket for the park online.
If you purchase the $40 pass, you get free access to the park and can enjoy diving (excl. Slagbaai), snorkeling, windsurfing and kitesurfing on Bonaire for your entire holiday. The money goes directly to STINAPA, the nature organization that manages both the Bonaire Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park, and has been doing so since 1969. Every tourist visiting Bonaire therefore helps to protect nature.
Don’t forget to bring the payment confirmation you receive by email, along with a valid ID. Forgot it? No worries, your payment can be looked up. Just let them know at the park entrance.
Guided Tour to Washington Slagbaai National Park
Although getting lost in the park is nearly impossible, there are only two driving routes, it can be worthwhile to book a guided tour to the park. The advantage of a tour is that everything is arranged for you. You don’t need to bring your own food and drinks in a cooler. During the tour a guide is present who can tell you all about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the park. It’s an educational day out too!
If you don’t have a suitable car for the park or only have a scooter, then a guided tour through the park is the solution. The guide drives you through the park and stops at the most beautiful spots. All you have to do is enjoy the surroundings.
Not on Bonaire Yet?
Would you love to experience everything Washington Slagbaai National Park has to offer but aren’t on Bonaire yet? No worries, here you’ll find the best deals to the island. Can’t decide? Here you’ll find even more great holidays to Bonaire.
When is Washington Slagbaai National Park open?
The park is open daily, except on Mondays, from 8:00 to 17:00. After 14:30 no new visitors are admitted. If the roads become impassable due to heavy rainfall, the park may be (partially) closed.
What is the entrance fee for the park?
The entrance fee is $40 USD per person for adults. Children up to 12 years old enter for free. Buy your entrance ticket online at: https://stinapa.bonairenaturefee.org/. If you purchase the $40 pass, you get free access to the park and can enjoy diving (excl. Slagbaai), snorkeling, windsurfing and kitesurfing for your entire stay. The money goes directly to STINAPA, the nature organization that manages both the beautiful Bonaire Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park, and has been doing so since 1969. Every tourist visiting Bonaire therefore helps to protect nature.
Are there toilets in Washington Slagbaai National Park?
At the entrance, behind the museum, there is a toilet block. Inside the park, toilets are only available at Slagbaai.
Do I need a 4x4 or 4-wheel drive vehicle to drive through Washington Slagbaai National Park?
A somewhat taller car with high ground clearance is perfectly fine for visiting the park. A 4x4 vehicle is not strictly necessary. However, do not go to the park in a city car or station wagon.
Can I buy food and drinks in Washington Slagbaai National Park?
Unfortunately not. There is no catering facility or shop in the park. You will need to bring your own food and drinks for the entire day.
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