Fill in the form or message us on WhatsApp. You'll see the price and deposit right away.
02
Lynden confirms
He checks availability and confirms the time and place on WhatsApp.
03
Keys, photos, go
Lynden brings the car. Together you take a quick photo round of the car, you pay the rental and the refundable deposit, and you're off.
04
Return and get your deposit back
Another quick photo round. All good? You get your deposit back right away.
In port for a day?
Lynden meets you at the cruise pier with your car. Add a big cooler box with ice ($10) and snorkel sets ($2 each), and your beach day is sorted. Back at the pier before all-aboard.
It hangs on a hook by the door, and you hand it to a friend when you're away: 'Use the car, it's better than letting it sit.'
That's how Spare Keys Bonaire started. Our family splits its time between the Netherlands and Bonaire, so for part of the year our cars just stood still. Lynden, who lives on the island, had a better idea: let visitors use them. Not through a rental counter or a call center, but the way locals do it, from one person to another.
So that's what we do. Lynden brings the car to you, whether you're at the airport, your hotel or your dive resort. He hands you the keys, tells you where the good spots are, and picks the car up again when your trip is over. No queues and no fine print surprises. Just a fair price and someone you can text.
So we keep it small on purpose: three cars, one local, no office. It's a side project, not a business empire, and that's exactly why we can keep prices fair and service personal. Because there are only three cars, it's worth booking early.
Welcome to Bonaire. Here are the keys.
Placeholder: Friendly photo of Lynden, casual, outdoors, ideally next to one of the cars
Meet Lynden
Meet Lynden, the guy with the keys
Hi, I'm Lynden, 26. I moved to Bonaire with my parents when I was 11, so this island has been home for most of my life.
Spare Keys is something I do on the side. During the week I work part-time at a furniture store, I'm studying nutrition, and you'll usually find me at the gym. So no, this isn't a big rental company with an office and a counter. It's just me, three family cars and my phone.
That means I'll personally bring you the keys, show you the car, and happily share my favorite spots on the island. And if you're looking for a good, healthy place to eat, just ask. That's kind of my thing.
Welcome to my island!
On Bonaire since age 11
Nutrition student & gym regular
Answers WhatsApp himself, no call center
Request a booking
Spare Keys is a small side project, so Lynden handles every booking himself. He usually replies within [X] hours, and deliveries are by appointment.
FAQ
Questions
Is this a real rental company?
Yes, just a very small one. We're a family with three cars and one person on the island, Lynden, who runs this next to his job and studies. Everything is properly [insured and registered], we just skip the office, the counter and the big overhead.
What's included in the price?
Unlimited kilometers, third-party liability insurance, [free delivery and pick-up], and Lynden on WhatsApp if you need anything. No hidden fees.
Is there a deposit, and do I need a credit card?
Yes, a refundable deposit of $500 (RAV4, Trailblazer) or $1,000 (Jeep), paid at handover in cash (US dollars) or [by card / bank transfer]. No credit card needed. You get it back right away at return if everything's fine.
What is the minimum age to rent?
The main driver must be at least 23 years old and have held a valid driver's license for at least 2 years. Dutch, EU and US licenses are all accepted.
Can someone else drive too?
Yes, extra drivers are free. They must also be 23 or older, have had a license for at least 2 years, and be named on the rental agreement.
What does the insurance cover?
All cars have third-party liability insurance. For damage to the car itself, one simple rule applies: your deposit is the most you'll ever pay, including tires and windows. Only in a few cases, like drunk driving or taking the RAV4 or Trailblazer into the national park, you pay the full cost. See our rental terms.
What happens at handover and return?
Lynden meets you with the car. Together you take a quick photo round of the car, which he shares in your WhatsApp chat. You pay the rental and the deposit, and you're off. At return you do the same photo round. All good? Your deposit comes back right away.
Where can you deliver the car?
Lynden delivers to Flamingo Airport, your hotel, apartment or dive resort. [Delivery is free / $X outside Kralendijk.] Send us your flight number and he'll be waiting when you land.
Can I take the cars into Washington Slagbaai National Park?
Only the Jeep Wrangler. With its high ground clearance and big off-road tires, it's built for the park's rough dirt roads. The Trailblazer and the RAV4 are not allowed in the park. Planning a park day? Book the Jeep early. You'll need the STINAPA Nature Fee ($40 per person, valid for the calendar year, also required for snorkeling and diving). The park is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00–17:00. Fill up before you go, as there are no gas stations in the park.
Can I rent a cooler box or snorkel gear?
For cruise day rentals, yes: a big cooler box filled with ice for $10 and snorkel sets for $2 each. Just add them when you book your cruise day.
Can I bring snorkel or dive gear?
Of course. Please keep wet gear and tanks in the trunk, not on the seats. A very sandy or wet interior costs $50 cleaning.
Should I lock the car at dive sites?
Like everyone on Bonaire, we recommend leaving nothing of value in the car. At dive sites, leave the doors unlocked and the windows down, and take the key with you. That way nobody has a reason to break a window.
What about fuel?
You get the car with [a full tank / X], and we ask you to return it at the same level. There are several gas stations around the island.
What if something happens, like a flat tire or a breakdown?
Just WhatsApp Lynden. He lives on the island and will help you out or bring a solution. In case of an accident, don't move the car, call the police (911) and let us know right away.
Any tips for driving on Bonaire?
You drive on the right, there are no traffic lights, and there are plenty of roundabouts. Watch out for goats and donkeys, especially at dusk. Take it easy, nobody is in a hurry here.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Yes, cancellation is free. Please let us know at least 48 hours in advance. We only have three cars, so it helps a lot.
Do you have child seats?
[Yes, free / $X per day, please request when booking.]
Why are you cheaper than the big rental companies?
No office, no counter, no big fleet. These are our own cars, rented out when our family isn't on the island, so we can keep prices low and still give you personal service.
Your ship docks in Kralendijk, you have about eight hours, and the whole island is waiting. The easiest way to see it? Your own car, waiting for you when you step off the ship.
Washington Slagbaai National Park covers the wild northwest of Bonaire: 4,286 hectares of cactus forest, salt lakes, hidden bays and rocky dirt roads. Founded in 1969, it was the first nature reserve in the former Netherlands Antilles. The best way to experience it is behind the wheel of your own Jeep.
Traveling with grandparents, kids or a group of friends? On Bonaire, that quickly raises a practical question: how do you get everyone around? Most rental cars on the island seat five, and large cars are scarce.