Rincon

Rincon sits in a valley in northern Bonaire, placed inland by the Spanish so that passing pirates could not see it from the sea, which makes it the oldest settlement on the island and older than Kralendijk. Low houses in strong colours line the streets around the church, and the village keeps a character the coast does not have. Its Dia di Rincon festival at the end of April is the island's biggest.

History

The Spanish founded Rincon in 1527, choosing a valley surrounded by hills and out of sight of pirates, with fresh water for farming, and it is the oldest settlement in the Dutch Caribbean; the St. Louis Bertrand Church stands here, and the village adopted its own flag on 30 April 1989 (Wikipedia, Rincon, Bonaire).

What you'll find

• The valley position - a settlement placed inland to stay invisible from the sea.
• The painted houses - low buildings in strong colours along the streets.
• The church - the building the village is arranged around.
• Dia di Rincon - the late April festival, the largest on Bonaire.

When to go

Year round. The Dia di Rincon festival falls at the end of April. Mornings are cooler for walking the streets.

Things to know

There is little to do beyond walking and eating, and half a day is generous outside festival time. Most businesses close in the afternoon. The drive from Kralendijk is the main effort.

Nearby

Gotomeer is west, and Washington Slagbaai is northwest.

Key facts