Almost every vacationer knows that good preparation is half the battle. This way you will not be faced with unexpected surprises during your holiday. On this page we share the most important practical information about Bonaire with you!
Money matters
Since January 1, 2011, the US dollar is used as the currency on Bonaire. The euro is also accepted, but the exchange rate is often unfavorable so it is best to pay in US dollars. In the towns you will find ATMs in various places and you can also simply pay with your debit card in the shops. You can also use your credit card to pay, however, please note that you need the pin code of your credit card and a valid ID. Finally, it is customary to tip restaurants, guides and taxi drivers. This is about 5 to 10% of the total amount.
Entry Tax Bonaire
From July 1, 2022, all tourists from the age of 13 who go on holiday to Bonaire will be subject to an ‘Entry Tax’ of USD 75 per person per stay. Children from 2 to 12 years old pay USD 10 per person per stay. This tax can be paid online by Ideal or by credit card from two weeks before departure. It is also possible to pay the ‘Entry tax’ on arrival at Flamingo Airport, by credit or debit card. Don’t forget to activate your debit card via your bank in advance for use outside your country. A cash payment is not possible. For more information and to possibly pay the Entry Tax online, click on the official website of the Bonairean government : tourism tax
Bonaire Nature Fee
To enter the waters around Bonaire you need a so-called STINAPA E-Ticket, which used to be known as a Stinapa token. This applies not only to divers, surfers, kite boarders, kayakers, snorkelers and other water sports enthusiasts, but also to those who go swimming in the sea around Bonaire or Klein Bonaire. That’s because this entire area belongs to the protected Bonaire National Marine Park. This national park, together with the Washington Slagbaai National Park and Lac, is managed by the National Parks Foundation (STINAPA). This non-profit organization manages, maintains, promotes and protects the national parks of Bonaire. It is not a government agency and they do not receive any subsidies for their work. The source of income consists of the sale of the so-called nature fees with which the inhabitants of Bonaire and visitors jointly contribute to the management of the beautiful nature of Bonaire.
Visiting the underwater world of Bonaire is subject to a number of rules. For example, you are not allowed to touch coral, sponges, plants or living animals. This is to protect the underwater world. Therefore, wearing diving gloves is also prohibited in the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP). An exception is made for wreck divers. It is also forbidden to remove dead parts from the water and take them with you. Think of dead coral, dead animals and shells. Are you going out with a (rental) boat? Then you can’t just anchor anywhere because the anchors can damage the underwater world. Buoys have been installed in the water where you can moor a boat.
If you are going to dive around Bonaire, check out the page Diving on Bonaire for more information
To enter the Bonaire National Marine Park, Lac and Washington Slagbaai National park you therefore pay a so-called ‘nature fee’. This reimbursement is per calendar year per person. With a one-time purchase you can use all areas covered by STINAPA all year round. You can demonstrate that you have paid this ‘nature fee’ by means of the STINAPA E-Ticket that you receive digitally. You can show this via your mobile phone, for example.
From 2023 there will be one rate. Anyone who wants to snorkel, dive or do other water sports in and around Bonaire pays a uniform rate of $ 40 per person. From 2023, anyone with a STINAPA ticket can visit Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Children under the age of 13 do not need a STINAPA ticket. Residents of Bonaire and the sister islands of Aruba and Curaçao will also no longer have to pay a nature fee from 2023.
You can buy the vignette online at Stinapa
The vignette is, in addition to diving centers, also for sale at hotels, various activity providers and at the entrance of Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Security
Bonaire is a safe island where you can have a carefree holiday. Of course, just like you do at home, you have to take precautions. For example, it is important that you close the car and holiday home when you leave and do not leave any valuables behind. It is best to keep these in a safe in your room or hand them in at the reception of your accommodation. Also, watch out for pickpockets in crowded places, don’t leave bags unattended, and don’t take packages from strangers. There are also many stray donkeys on the island. You are warned for this with traffic signs, but always pay attention. The donkeys are free to roam and sometimes lie on the still warm asphalt at night. Especially around dusk and in streets that are less well lit, it is therefore smart to slow down and drive with great light. In short, the island is safe, but think logically.
Language
The official languages spoken on the island are Papiamento and Dutch. Dutch is also the official administrative language on the island. In addition, many people in the tourism industry often speak Spanish and English.
Health
When you go on holiday to Bonaire you do not need vaccinations. So you don’t have to worry about that! Pay attention that you always rub yourself with sunscreen and wear sunglasses of good quality. This way you prevent heatstroke. There are several pharmacies in Kralendijk and Ricon where you can go for medicines or advice. In addition, almost all doctors on Bonaire speak Dutch and English and there is a hospital on the island. Do not forget to take your health insurance card with you when you go on holiday and take out travel insurance.
Calling
Making or receiving calls is very expensive on Bonaire. The person who calls to Bonaire is charged with the international calling rate, and the person who is called on Bonaire on a Dutch telephone also pays the “foreign surcharge”. So an expensive call! That is why it is better to use a calling house. In call houses on Bonaire you can make relatively cheap calls and use the internet. Are you calling from Bonaire to a country outside Bonaire? Do not forget to enter the relevant country code first. Do you want to call locally? Make sure you have a SIM-free phone and purchase a prepaid SIM card with a Bonairean phone number. These are available cheaply in the call shops in Kralendijk.
Are you interested in a stay in holiday villa Caribbean Dream, Cas Maya, or renting another holiday home, villa or apartment on Bonaire?
Go to Vacation Rentals Bonaire, or go directly to the availability calendars of Vacation Villa Caribbean Dream Bonaire or the adjacent Vacation Villa Cas Maya. On Vacation Rentals Bonaire – More Villas & Apartments for rent on Bonaire, you will get an impression of even more possibilities for renting a holiday accommodation on Bonaire.
Maybe you are not time bound for your holiday to Bonaire and you are interested in offers or Last Minute Discounts. On Offers & Last Minute Discounts Bonaire, you can see what special offers are currently available for renting a holiday accommodation on Bonaire
For questions, reservations and more information about renting a holiday home, holiday home, villa or holiday apartment on Bonaire, please contact us using the contact form below.
Other ways to reach us
Whether you have questions about renting a holiday accommodation for short or long term on Bonaire, or about renting out your own holiday home on Bonaire, you can always contact us via the contact form. It is also possible to send us a message via Facebook. For urgent matters, you can contact us via WhatsApp on +316 41744614. You can always call us, of course.