In 1495, Bartolomé Colón, during an exploration journey through the island, ordered the construction of a fortress to combat the resistance of the natives commanded by a chief with the name of Bonao.

[6] The first fort built on the site was called Bonao Abajo, which was later occupied by Francisco Roldán, a Spanish soldier who rebelled against the colonial authorities in the island.

[citation needed] The economic revival of Bonao began in the 1920's when the Duarte highway was inaugurated, linking Santo Domingo with the Cibao region.

[citation needed] Bonao's economy is based on local businesses, agricultural producers and by the income generated by the mining company Americano Níquel (Falcondo), also known as Falconbridge Dominicana.

José Delio Guzmán and Pedro Antonio Frías, both from the public sector and the San Antonio de Padua private schools, Bonao Educational Center, sponsored by the Universidad Central del Este and Mercer University, Colegio San Pablo and Colegio Juan Pablo Duarte.

Bonao also has a higher education center, a regional headquarters of the state Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (CURCE-UASD).

Bonao is historically the home of La Voz Dominicana, the official radio and television station of the Dominican Republic during the regime of Rafael Trujillo.

There is no dry season, as all months average above 100 millimetres or 4 inches of rain, although there are distinctly wetter periods of the year in May and, under the influence of Atlantic hurricanes, from August to November.

Groups that parade in the Carnival start out in "caves" (typically a blocked-off street) where loud music is played.

Major League Baseball former pitcher Carlos Mármol and Philadelphia Phillies catcher Deivy Grullón are from Bonao.