Twizy Around the Island: An Island Tour of Bonaire by Electric Car

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If it seems like all we did in Bonaire is dive, that’s partially true. We logged seven dives in seven days, but that also left afternoons open for exploring. And explore we did—we did an entire island tour of Bonaire from the driver’s seat of a Twizy.

What is a Twizy car

I hadn’t actually heard of a Twizy until our final day on Bonaire when we pulled up to the Road Runner headquarters to embark upon our island tour, but after closer inspection I have to admit: These tiny electric cars are totally worth checking out.

Bonaire Road Runner

Road Runner has been operating on the island for the past two years, and you can either book a tour with Hans, the German owner, who will lead you by motor bike (as we did), or you can probably talk him into renting the cars to you so you can take them out by yourself.

I have to admit that it was really nice to be on autopilot and follow a leader, though Bonaire is small with very few roads and it would be relatively easy to navigate on your own.

Driving Around Bonaire by Twizy
Driving Around Bonaire by Twizy

And if nothing else, taking an island tour of Bonaire by Twizy will enable you to see the entire island without the hassle of renting a full-size vehicle. I mean, how pretty is this rocky coastline?

Getting around Bonaire by Twizy

Taking the Twizys out allows you to soak in the beauty of this desert island and appreciate the diverse landscape, and they’re so small and agile you can pull over at a moment’s notice should you want to stop for photos, as we did often.

Bonaire Road Runner

The first 20 minutes ago, we were navigating traffic in town—beep beep! coming through—but once we broke free of Kralendijk, we were in full-on cruise mode and rarely passed another car.

We were on a bit of a time crunch as, unbeknownst to Angie, we had planned her a surprise bachelorette party on Bonaire that night, so we didn’t have a lot of time to take it slow, much to the dismay of our guide.

Bonaire Road Runner

Driving Around Bonaire by Twizy
Driving Around Bonaire by Twizy
Driving Around Bonaire by Twizy

Donkeys and goats aside—they’re everywhere on the island so keep your eyes peeled—once you get far enough out of town, you’ll also see plenty of pink feathered friends frolicking in the lake.

Bonaire Road Runner

Island Tour Around Bonaire
Island Tour Around Bonaire

“I’m German!” he said every time we made an impromptu pit stop for a photo. “You give me a schedule, and I stick to it!”

As such, our speed climbed to 84 kilometers per hour—I think the cars max out around 100—and hovered around there as sped around the turns that would lead us to Rincon.

Island Tour Around Bonaire
Island Tour Around Bonaire

Once we reached the town in the center of the isle—one of only two on Bonaire, I should note—we did manage to squeeze in a brief stop at the Cadushy distillery for some cactus liqueur. I guess the drinking-and-driving rule doesn’t apply when you’re on island time (or in a car that barely hovers off the ground, one)!

Bonaire Road Runner

In all seriousness, we tasted very minor amounts of the signature liqueur and the other five the distillery made, and it was all so delicious that we all ordered Cadushy cocktails at the bar later that night when we were at the mercy of a taxi driver. I had gone to the distillery five years ago on my first visit, but it was just a few tree stumps in an open courtyard. Now, they have a pretty legit operation going on there in Rincon.

Island Tour Around Bonaire
Island Tour Around Bonaire

We were in the Twizy cars for two-and-a-half hours, and time flew by. I definitely could have gone on a longer drive—the average tour is four to five hours and just $75 for the driver, $35 for the passenger (yes, two people can fit in each vehicle!)—and am still a bit bummed we didn’t have time to visit Washington Slagbaai National Park. Ah well, there’s always a next time, right?

Bonaire Road Runner

That night, we surprised Angie with a little shark-themed celebration in Alex’s room, then were off to town to drink a little champagne, do a little shopping at Elements.

Taking an Island Tour Around Bonaire
Taking an Island Tour Around Bonaire

Elements was not at all what I had expected; the handmade glass pieces were so beautiful I couldn’t help but want one of my own. In fact, I hadn’t planned to buy anything but walked out with three different sets (OK, two are gifts for other people but still)! So pretty and each piece is one-of-a-kind, a very distinct style original to Bonaire.

Where to Shop in Bonaire
Where to Shop in Bonaire

From Elements, we walked down the street to At Sea for a fancy dinner al fresco, then it was out to paint the town to celebrate our bride-to-be. And paint the town we did, from Little Havana to a biker bar and then back to our resort just three hours before our airport pick-up. Oops!

All in all, not the worst place to celebrate a bachelorette, am I right?

Bonaire Road Runner

Celebrating a Bachelorette in Bonaire
Celebrating a Bachelorette in Bonaire
Celebrating a Bachelorette in Bonaire

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Driving Around Bonaire in a Twizy

COMMENTS
  • August 14, 2015

    There will never be a bachelorette party quite like this one! What a great trip!

  • August 14, 2015

    I’m so jealous of all the amazing photos you took while we were Twizzy-ing! I was in full racecar mode and kind of forgot I had a camera for most of it! Lucky I’ll have this post to point my readers towards when I shrug and say, sorry, I was busy speeding…

  • August 15, 2015

    Ahhh I got to drive a Twizy around in Norway a couple months ago, and it was SO FUN! This looks awesome too!

  • August 15, 2015

    Such a unique island! The water looks so blue. Never seen such a scenic blend of rusticity and aquatic beauty.

  • August 20, 2015

    What a lovely way to celebrate a bacholorette party and you all look as if you’re having a jolly good time! Lucky Angie! 🙂

    I’m beginning to hear a lot about the Twizy car and guided by Germans. Yay the Germans LOL!

  • August 21, 2015

    Thank you for this information .i like your website because it have a lot of articles that they happen in everyday of our life.

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