Bonaire Sabal Palm Park
The Sabal palm is a unique palm species that only occurs on Bonaire
The Sabal palm (Sabal lougheediana), locally known as Kabana, is a palm species found nowhere else in the world except Bonaire. Today, only a small number of adult palms remain in the wild, growing in the limestone landscape near Lima in southern Bonaire. Besides the palms themselves, the area is home to several rare native plant species and forms one of Bonaire’s most unique biodiversity hotspots.
For many years, invasive grazing by goats and donkeys prevented young palms from growing into mature trees. To help protect the area, the Bonaire Sabal Palm Park was created as part of the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands (NMBP/NEPP), commissioned by the Public Entity Bonaire.
The park combines nature conservation, education and recreation. Through marked walking and biking routes, visitors can explore the landscape while helping protect this fragile ecosystem.
Please stay on the marked trails and respect the protected nature of the area.
Walking trails in the Bonaire Sabal Palm Park
The Bonaire Sabal Palm Park offers three marked walking routes through the protected landscape. Along the trails you will discover limestone formations, coastal vegetation, salt lakes, rare plant species and, if you are lucky, some of Bonaire’s remaining wild Sabal palms. Informational signs along the routes provide more insight into the history, geology and ecology of the area.
Brasia route
A meandering route through a Brasia woodland, showcasing typical limestone vegetation and some Sabal Palms.
Distance: 3.5 km
Duration: ±1 hours
Suìt route
A meandering route through a Brasia woodland, showcasing typical limestone vegetation and some Sabal Palms.
Distance: 6.5 km
Duration: ±2 hours
Kabana route
The best route to see the western palm population and the high biodiversity protected area of the park.
Distance: 4.2 km
Duration: ±1.5 hours