I went to Bonaire, which is the least populated, least tourist-y island in the Netherlands Antilles (the other two are Aruba and Curacao).
We spent ten days there, and loved every minute of it. We stayed at the Plaza Resort Bonaire, in a junior suite (that was more than big enough. We had a private patio and a huge room). We rented a car, filled it up once, and never had to fill it again. You can drive every road on the island (at the maximum speed of 35 mph) in about an hour and a half, if you don’t stop. Which you will.
There are donkeys and goats roaming the streets everywhere, and iguanas at every turn. There are no animals that weren’t brought to the island by travellers. Nothing is native to the island. The island is home to one of only three natural flamingo nesting areas in the hemisphere – Lake Goto. It’s gorgeous.
Go diving or snorkeling while you’re there. The reefs are wonderful. Hire one of the locals to take you sailing into the sunset one night. See if you can catch the green flash at sunset – it’s really there!
Eat at Richard’s. He’s a hell of a nice guy, and it’s the best steak I’ve ever had. Also, eat at Kontiki, it’s right around the corner from the Nudist colony, where you can have a kayak tour of the island headed by your own personal Nudist. ^_^
Take a drive through the wilderness reserve at the north side of the island. The views are breathtaking.
On the east side of the island, go off the main road near the coast and look for the caves. See what you think of the cave drawings. One of the cave drawings is (I’m convinced) a map of the night sky, complete with constellations (fish, turtle)
Bonaire is not the place to go if you’re looking to party. It isn’t Aruba. If you’re out of your hotel room after 11:00PM, Security will come by on their bicycle, just to make sure you’re not causing trouble like a bunch of raucous Americans. They do get a little on the crazier side on Saturday nights, though. That’s a good time to be on the main strip.
There’s a little store in Rincon – it’s an orange house, with an awning over the living room window. Best milkshakes ever. Seriously. I think they’re made with goats’ milk.