| Belnem | |
| Pushpin Map: | Bonaire |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Bonaire |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Netherlands |
| Subdivision Type1: | Public body |
| Subdivision Name1: | Bonaire |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 881 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1966 |
Belnem is a private community on the island of Bonaire. It is luxurious neighbourhood named after Harry Belafonte and Maurice Neme. Construction of Belnem started on 3 June 1966.[2]
Harry Belafonte often visited and liked the Caribbean island of Bonaire.[3] Belafonte together with Maurice Neme of Oranjestad, Aruba embarked on a joint venture to create a luxurious private community on Bonaire.
On 3 June 1966, the construction of the neighbourhood started which was named Belnem after Belafonte and Neme. At least 30 houses with a minimum size of 100 m2 and a road connecting the neighbourhood to the road network of Bonaire had to be constructed within a two-year time period.[4] The neighbourhood is managed by the Bel-Nem Caribbean Development Corporation. Belafonte and Neme served as its first directors.[5] Later, other residential neighbourhoods were built in Belnem.[6] In 1981, Belnem came under scrutiny by the Island Council, because the land which had been sold to Belnem at a reduced price was being sold on at high prices.[7]
Bachelor's Beach is a small beach near Belnem. It can be accessed via stairs down the cliff.[8] It is one of the most popular beaches and is located near Flamingo International Airport with planes passing over the beach.[9]