Where to See Flamingos on Bonaire: The Best Spots by Car

Flamingos are Bonaire's icon, and for good reason. The island is one of only four places in the world where Caribbean flamingos breed. The best part: you can see them from your car, without a tour.

1. The salt pans and Pekelmeer (south)

In the south of the island lies the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, home to more than ten thousand flamingos. The sanctuary itself is closed to visitors to protect the breeding birds, but you'll often see flamingos feeding in the pink salt pans along the road.

• How to get there: about 15 to 20 minutes' drive south from Kralendijk, on a paved road. Any car will do.
• Combine it with: the Salt Pier, the white salt mountains, the slave huts and Pink Beach.
• On a cruise day: this is the easiest flamingo stop, right on the classic south loop. See One day on Bonaire by car.

2. Gotomeer (northwest)

Gotomeer is Bonaire's largest salt lake, on the edge of Washington Slagbaai National Park. Depending on the season you'll see dozens to hundreds of flamingos.

• How to get there: it's right on the paved road towards Washington Slagbaai, about 30 minutes from Kralendijk. Any car will do, and there's no entry fee.
• Viewpoint: for a great overview, drive up to the Mira Laman Goto viewpoint. The short unpaved road up is fine for a regular car.
• Best time: early morning, roughly between 6:30 and 9:00.

3. Saliña Slagbaai (inside the national park)

Inside Washington Slagbaai National Park, flamingos often feed at the Saliña Slagbaai salt lake. You need a high car to drive the park; at Spare Keys, only our Jeep Wrangler is allowed in. Read Self-drive Washington Slagbaai in a Jeep.

Why are they pink?

Flamingos get their color from their food: tiny pink brine shrimp that live in the salty water. That same shrimp also colors the salt pans pink.

Tips for flamingo watching

• Bring binoculars. Flamingos usually stand far away. Without binoculars they're pink dots.
• Use your car as a hide. Flamingos are less nervous about cars than about people walking around.
• Stay on the road. Never walk onto the salt flats. Disturbing flamingos is prohibited on Bonaire.
• Park safely. Pull over completely, don't stop in the middle of the road for a photo.
• Go early or late. Morning and late afternoon light is softer, and the birds are more active.
• Zoom in with your phone (2x or more) instead of walking closer.

Which car do you need?

For the salt pans and Gotomeer, any of our cars works. For Saliña Slagbaai inside the national park, you need the Jeep.