Visiting Bonaire for the first time around Labor Day. Looking for a nice place to buy souvenirs with a local flavor. If possible, would like to avoid tourist traps. Will need to buy things for family left behind with the dog. On vacation, I normally pick up locally made pottery, wood carvings or art along with locally made/manufactured things like Marie Sharp's hot sauce in Belize or Stingray beer in the Caymans. I even bought a bottle of wine made, maybe bottled, in Belize. Any suggestions?

I always try to buy some of my souvenirs at the Donkey Sanctuary. They have some pretty things and it supports the donkeys. Does anyone know if the cat and dog sanctuary does the same?

I just went to www.searchbonaire.com and searched on local gifts, local crafts, etc. and found lots of interesting stuff, perhaps this would be helpful. On my previous trip to Bonaire I found very little that I would call “tourist trap”. It has a very different feel from the Caymans(been there many times) and Belize (only talked to people who have been there). It’s not at all like walking the streets of Cancun (extreme example). People are very laid back and while they are helpful when approached nobody ever tried to pressure me or sell me junk. You’re in for a real treat.

Have a great trip!

P.S. www. infobonaire.com also has some good info on shopping.

Last trip there we spent some time with the local artist "Jenny" -"Yenni" at her house/gallery, and I bought a painted driftwood collage...hard to describe. But her yard is chock-full of fun scenes. Hers is the house toward the south end of Kralendijk that has the life-sized doll/people sitting outside the gate. (We were last there in March 2001, so perhaps this info is dated.) Anyway, it's worth stopping there to look around if you like local crafts. She will paint anything she finds to make it into "something."

In town, none of the stores really feel like tourist traps. Shopping is pretty low key on Bonaire.

Thanks for the information. This is a terrific resource.

Linda Richter (Jake's wife) is an artist so you may want to check out her stuff too.

Thanks again for the feedback. I'll be sure to do that.

Can't leave out Janice Huckaby's great artwork and crafts, either! Our house looks like a Janice Huckaby art gallery!! Just LOVE her work. She has done an oil painting for me which will be ready for shipment to our home shortly and I can't wait!! Have a spot on the bedroom wall all picked out for it. She sent me a photo of the oil painting a little while ago so I could check it out and make any comments or request any changes, etc...nope...it was perfect! Just what I was looking for. She used her talent and imagination to create something I had in "my" mind...it's amazing. Anyway, Janice has some wonderful things you should check out, too.

I believe her website is www.janartbonaire.com and her email address is on the same page. She creates crafts as well as paintings and holds art classes, too. I attended a one on one with her in May and had a ball for two hours. She is a super lady, too! Carole