• Date of visit: March 31, 2023
• Post office visited: Kralendijk Post Office
• Cost of sending mail: $1.50 USD (international, 2023); $2.39 USD (2025)
• Postcards available at: gift shops
• Delivery time to Europe: a little less then a month

After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, Bonaire—alongside Saba and Sint Eustatius—became a “special municipality” of the Netherlands, known collectively as the Caribbean Netherlands. With this shift came new independence in postage: the islands began issuing their own stamps under the label “Caribisch Nederland”, initially depicting a shared map of the three islands. In 2011, stamps transitioned from the old Netherlands Antillean guilder to U.S. dollar denominations. By 2014, each island had its own named stamp designs, reflecting growing local identity and autonomy in postal services.

Our visit to Bonaire

Our visit to Bonaire came right after our Saba trip, where our post office attempt had failed. We arrived late, so the very first thing we did the next morning—after settling into the hotel—was head straight to the post office. It was spacious and bright and, most importantly, open. Unlike on Saba, where we had only one full day, here we had three full days. The staff were aware of the situation on Saba: that the post office there was temporarily without an employee.

Although Bonaire and Saba are both part of the Caribbean Netherlands (which also includes Sint Eustatius), they’re quite far apart—about 800 km between them. Bonaire lies just off the coast of Venezuela, while Saba sits up in the Lesser Antilles.

With our first batch of postcards sent off, we started to explore the island. Bonaire is almost the size of Malta, but surprisingly full of different sights. In the north is Washington Slagbaai National Park (where we went snorkeling and admired cacti), in the south a flamingo sanctuary and mangrove forest (where we joined a canoe trip), and of course those famous salt hills (which we simply admired). And everywhere beaches where, just by stepping into the water, you can already see colorful fish—even without snorkeling.

And then—in one morning while enjoying our coffee in the capital—we stumbled into every postcard lover’s dream. The café wall held a postbox, offering free postcards to send to loved ones. Naturally, we lingered longer than planned.

It was also there that I noticed a flyer I couldn’t ignore: the annual “Fun Walk and Bike” event, starting at six the next morning to escape the heat.

With our flight scheduled for the following evening, the early walk with locals fit perfectly into our plans

The next morning, while Andry stayed behind to pack, I set off on the walk—surrounded by about 25 strangers, all ages, all wearing the same event shirt, and barely speaking.One of the young men played a sermon from his phone speaker, which in a curious way seemed to intensify the silence. After a few kilometers, it felt like moving meditation. But I pulled myself out of that peaceful flow to ensure I had plenty of time for my flight—and started running. I covered the remaining seven kilometers, not the point of the hike but what I gained was something: walking together, a good workout, and catching my plane.

When we reached the airport, it turned out that wasn’t the only workout: Andry realized he’d left his passport back at the hotel. In the 35°C heat, running those two back felt easier than trying to find a taxi.

Our return flight to Europe with TUI bound for Amsterdam was a restful one—sleep came easily. Still, the island had slipped under my skin, leaving me with the sense that one day, I’ll want to return.

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