15 September
Washington Slagbaai National Park
About the park
Washington Slagbaai National Park is a 4,286 ha protected area, located in the northwest part of the island. It was the first nature sanctuary of the Netherlands Antilles and was established in 1969. It provides safe habitat for several endemic and endangered species of Bonaire such as parrots, flamingos, parakeets, iguanas and many other species of birds and reptiles. The beaches inside the park are an important nesting ground for all four species of sea turtles found in the Caribbean.
Originally inhabited by native South Americans, and comprised of two of the largest plantations on the island during colonial period, the park is rich in historical and cultural heritage. The visitor center at the park entrance, with its museum and hiking trails, offers visitors an enjoyable learning experience.
How to get there
Must-Know Before Coming to The Park
When is the park open?
Do I have the pay to enter?
Who needs to purchase the nature fee?
Allowed vehicles
Can I camp at the park?
Are there restaurants at the park?
The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8AM to 5PM. Visitors are welcome to enter until 2.30PM. If there is a national holiday or heavy rainfall, the park might close.
Yes, it’s required that visitors have their Nature Fee with them. The Nature Fee costs $40. This fee allows you access to the Bonaire National Marine Park, meaning the beautiful light blue waters surrounding the entire coast of the island (all beaches) and entrance to the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Please have a valid ID with you together with your Nature Fee.
Cruise Fee Passengers pay a 1 day $10 fee.
All visitors entering the sea in Bonaire. The only exemptions are residents (with an official ID) of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Saba and children under 12 years old. Children under 12 years old who are scuba diving are not exempt from this fee.
STINAPA recommends vehicles with high-ground clearance. For example: Jeep, Jimmy, Pickup, and SUVs. Vehicles with low ground clearance can also be allowed, depending on the conditions of the road. This safety decision is up to the rangers at the booth. There are also tours available if you don’t have a suitable vehicle yourself. You can visit www.bonaireisland.com for information about tours. (Please note the speed limit in the park is 25km/h)
Can I enter with a golf cart?
Unfortunately, ATVs, quads, golfcarts, dirtbikes, crossers, and scooters, are not allowed in the park. Please read above which vehicles are acceptable.
Can I enter with a bicycle?
Yes of course. There are many trials as well perfect for bicycles tours. However, the park does not provide bicycles. If you’d like to join a group to cycle in the Park check out some options here: www.bonaireisland.com. We recommend bringing plenty of drinking water and bringing a first aid kit and tire patches.
Yes, plan your stay here.
No, there aren’t any restaurants at the park. Please come prepared and bring your own water, drinks, food, and snacks. Spend a day isolated from the real world.
Visitor checklist
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Enter with a four wheeled vehicle
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Plenty of water, food and snacks
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Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
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Nature fee
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Proof of identity
Washington Park is Cashless
By transitioning to a cashless payment system, the park aims to reduce paper usage and contribute to environmental conservation efforts. We encourage you to pay your Nature Fee (Washington Park Entrance Ticket) online before arriving to the park for a quicker check-in process. If online payment isn’t possible for any reason, you can also pay at the Entrance Park Booth using your credit/debit card. We look forward to seeing you!
Activities
Introduction
Mountain Biking
Hiking
Car Touring
Birdwatching and Nature Study
Water Activities
Washington Slagbaai National park, offers a wide variety of activities. You can choose the long route or the short route. Both routes will take you to spectacular views, hiking trails, bays and eventually to Slagbaai. At Slagbaai you can enjoy the beach, have some lunch (bring your own) and observe flamingo’s and many more bird
species from a short distance.
Mountain bikers can enjoy the 34 km (21 miles) route through the park. Long stretches of flat roads along the sea contrast with severe up and down hills between mountains. Be aware, this ride is for experienced bikers, as temperatures can be high and the terrain is rough.
We recommend bringing plenty of drinking water and bringing a first aid kit and tire patches.
The park does not provide bicycles. If you’d like to join a group to cycle in the Park contact our tourist office in Kralendijk www.bonaireisland.com
The Park features three trails, all with orientation signs to guide you. We do not recommend hiking alone and would like to remind you to bring adequate sun protection and drinking water.
The Lagadishi “Lizard” Walking Trail (Easy, 2 hours)
The Kasikunda Climbing Trail (Intermediate, 45 minutes)
The Subi Brandaris Trail (Difficult, 1.5 hours)
The park has 34 km (21 miles) of dirt roads. You can choose the long route (the most points of interest are on that route) or the short route. The long route takes about two hours and there are 20 points of interest highlighted in the brochure, including bird watching spots, beaches, saltpans, blowholes and historic sites.
Entrance to the park permitted until 2:30pm.
With nearly 210 different species of birds on the island, the Park offers one of the best bird watching sites. There are a number of migratory and local birds which take advantage of the wide ranging habitats of the Park. The true “stars” of the park include the Caribbean flamingo and endemic parrot, known locally as the “Lora” which can both be found here.
For those with a special interest in environmental and natural science, the Park offers the unique opportunity to explore Bonaire diverse habitats, flora and fauna. Please feel free to contact us if you’d like to learn more.
There are a number of water activities you can enjoy while in the park. From kayaking to scuba diving, you can explore some of the most inaccessible places Bonaire has to offer.
Kayaking
Adventure from the shoreline of Boka Bartol to Boka Slagbaai to experience the limestone terraces jutting out of crystal blue waters.
Scuba diving
There are seven marked dive sites located within the park. If you are planning to dive, make sure you begin before 2:30pm to ensure you have plenty of time to finish before the park closes.
Snorkeling and swimming
The western shore has a number of picturesque beaches worth exploring. Due to the Park’s remoteness we suggest you do not swim alone.
Camping in slagbaai
There’s no better way to explore the park than to fall asleep to the sound of lapping waves and wake up with the flamingos. Camping in the park is possible by renting one of three cabins located at Slagbaai lagoon. Use the button below to find out more information.
What we do
STINAPA’S ROLE IN WASHINGTON SLAGBAAI NATIONAL PARK
The job duties of a park ranger include protecting unspoiled natural resources from pollution, improving the conservation efforts of large park areas, and managing the day-to-day operations of our national park. Rangers are often unsung heroes who work long hours in extreme conditions. In addition the the roles of the park rangers, STINAPA is also the primary law enforcement entity for the park. Lastly, to ensure the sustainability of the park, STINAPA works to promote education and outreach so that this terrestrial park will be available for many generations to come.
You can read the Washington Slagbaai National Park Management Plan here!
OPENING HOURS
The park is opened Tuesday to Sunday between 8.00 AM – 5.00 PM (last time to enter is 2.30pm).
Washington Slagbaai is closed for all national and local holidays. In addition the park may be fully or partially closed after heavy rainfall due to unsafe road conditions.
Please feel free to contact STINAPA or visit our social media pages for the most up to date information.
Contact the park
Phone +599 788 9015
Alternative: +599 786 5229
E-mail: washingtonpark@stinapa.org
