Bonaire Visitor's Guide

Welcome to your Bonaire vacation! Here’s some important info that will help make your vacation more fun & hassle-free. Please feel free to contact us for more info!

VISITING BONAIRE – welcome to the Diver’s Paradise of Bonaire! The moment you arrive you’ll sense the tranquility of the island and the absence of crowds, and you’ll be amazed at the clear waters and the spectacularly easy diving and snorkeling – much of it just a few feet from the shoreline! Bonaire is a small island in the Caribbean Netherlands located just 50 miles off the coast of South America, and outside the Caribbean’s “hurricane belt.” Bonaire is home to approximately 27,000 residents, and the island’s culture is a wonderful mix of European, Caribbean, African and American influences. The island is well-known for nature conservation and environmental protection.

Bonaire has its own unhurried island rhythm and way of life. It’s important to keep in mind that things will be different – after all, that’s why you’re going on vacation! – and that you shouldn’t expect things to run exactly as they do “back home.” Be assured that visitors are most welcome, and that you will be treated with warmth and friendly hospitality during your stay. Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish are widely spoken on the island.

Bonaire is on Atlantic Standard time (the same as the Eastern US during daylight savings time, or one hour ahead of the East Coast during standard time. Bonaire does not observe daylight savings time).

DOCUMENTATION – U.S. citizens are required to have a passport to re-enter the USA, so you’ll need a valid passport to travel to Bonaire. Citizens of other countries please check with Bonaire immigration with any questions regarding entry requirements: +599 717-6880. Please be sure that you are carrying correct documentation.

FLIGHT INFO – Airlines often make changes to flight itineraries – sign up for text message updates from your airline, or at minimum keep an eye on your flight times on the airline’s website. International flights require check-in at least 2 hours prior to departure.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION – there are now no immigration forms required for US/Canadian citizens. Carrying any contraband, like guns or drugs, is a very bad idea (Bonaire’s drug laws are NOT lenient, as in the Netherlands).

TRAVEL INSURANCE – We always recommend spending a little more and buying travel insurance to protect you against financial loss in case of emergency or unplanned circumstances (hotel/dive packages are almost never refundable). Things happen! - you or a family member gets sick and you’re unable to travel at the last minute - weather prevents you getting to the airport and you miss your flight, and you have to buy another ticket. You miss a connection and arrive two days later than planned. An airline cancels your flight, and you incur unplanned hotel expenses. An emergency back home forces you to cut your trip short. Your luggage is lost and you have to buy new clothes to wear. You get sick and have to go the hospital, and your home insurance doesn’t cover all your expenses. All these and more happen every single day, and travel insurance would cover these circumstances. Check what the policy covers before buying, of course – travel insurance isn’t perfect, but the more expensive and the more complex the trip, the more important it becomes. Travel packages can cost thousands of dollars, and route deviations can get very expensive. Please protect yourself in case of emergency!

TRANSPORTATION – Getting to your hotel: transportation from the airport to your hotel is normally included in your package (we’ll go over this with you at the time of booking). Your package may include a rental vehicle, and we’ll discuss vehicle pickup/dropoff (which may be at the airport or at your resort) with you in advance.

There are a few taxis on the island, but rental cars are much more common. Vehicles come in all shapes, sizes and states of repair. IMPORTANT – Check the vehicle from top to bottom in the presence of the rental agent before you drive away, and note any existing damage, scratches, missing equipment, etc. on the rental form: you will be held responsible for any additional damages when you return it (including flat tires!) We recommend buying the local insurance offered with your rental. If an accident occurs you’ll be glad you didn’t try to save a few bucks.

If you have connecting flights through Curacao, if be sure to print your boarding passes for your connecting flights in advance, so that you can travel as an “in transit” passenger and won’t have to officially enter & exit Curacao.

WEATHER – Usually balmy breezes all year, with rare dips into the 60s in the winter. Normal high temperatures in the summer (April-November) are about 90F, and in winter (December-March) about 80F. Nighttime lows are usually about 10 degrees less. The wind is easterly more than 95% of the time, with an average wind speed of 15-20 mph (making Bonaire a windsurfer’s paradise!) Bonaire is a desert island, with average annual rainfall of 20 inches (about half of that falling between October through January). Important: the sun is very strong and sunburn can happen in minutes – you will need sunscreen!

LUGGAGE – most airlines charge for checking bags. Policies differ and change frequently – if you are unsure about the baggage charges that apply to your ticket, check the airline’s website. Checked bags are generally limited to 50 pounds each. Pack lightly – Bonaire is informal and tropical, and you’ll be living in swimsuits and sunglasses most of the time. Some items to remember: several swimming suits, mostly t-shirts, shorts and casual wear, comfortable shoes, flip flops, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, windbreaker or light jacket. As a safety precaution, don’t pack your valuables in checked luggage (or just leave non-essential valuables at home. You’re going to a very casual island!) Check www.tsa.gov for the latest baggage rules and restrictions.

MONEY – The local currency on the island is now the US Dollar. Credit cards are accepted in most stores and restaurants. There are ATMs on the island for cash.

TIPPING – much as in the USA (and of course, tipping depends entirely on the quality of service you receive). Dive boat personnel: $10 or more for a two-tank dive; a few $$ for a one-tank dive boat (usually paid to the divemaster, who will split the tips with the rest of the crew.) Some people prefer to tip daily, since boat crews and divemasters may change from day to day. Many people in the tourism industry depend almost entirely on your tips to earn a living… if you’re pleased with the service, consider tipping a bit extra. Some restaurants on the island automatically add a 10-15% service charge; ask if you are unsure.

CRIME – you’re safe walking around on the island most anywhere, anytime. Still, take sensible precautions… as you would anywhere. Don’t leave valuables lying around, don’t flash large amounts of cash in public, and lock your hotel room doors (use the security pins or bars in the doors, if provided). Most hotels now have in-room safes – if not, they will offer another way to secure your valuables. We think it’s a good idea to just leave expensive watches and jewelry at home. NEVER LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR UNATTENDED RENTAL CAR, especially while you’re shore diving in a remote area! A rental car is an easy and tempting target while you’re underwater for an hour. Plan your shore diving expeditions well; don’t bring unnecessary items so you’re not leaving anything at risk in your vehicle, and leave your rental car unlocked so you send a very clear message that the vehicle contains nothing of value.

ELECTRICITY – 127 volt, 50 cycle: that’s a bit different than in the US, though you won’t need a plug adapter. Most US appliances (hairdryers and radios, for example) will work fine, though they may run a bit hotter.

MEDICAL & CHAMBER FACILITIES – Bonaire has hospital facilities and full medical and hyperbaric care are available. The telephone emergency number for ambulance service is 114.

EATING & DRINKING – The water’s distilled from sea water, and perfectly safe to drink. The food on Bonaire is excellent and not necessarily expensive, though island prices may be a little higher than what you’re used to at home. You’ll find food of every kind on the island, from seafood, burgers, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and almost anything else you can think of. Fresh seafood is abundant, naturally; fresh vegetables and salads less so. You’ll find a variety of restaurants and watering holes located at the island’s resorts and in the downtown area. Enjoy!

SHOPPING – Bonaire is not known for extensive shopping opportunities as in some Caribbean ports, though there are several stores downtown offering duty-free goods. Many of the resort properties on the island offer kitchen facilities, and having some groceries and drinks on hand can be fun & very convenient (and can save you quite a bit on restaurants!) There are large and well-stocked grocery stores. Stores may close for a couple of hours in mid-afternoon, and close entirely or just open for a couple of hours on Sundays, so plan accordingly!

WILDLIFE – Bonaire has a fascinating variety of animal life, including wild goats, iguanas, parrots and parakeets, and still a few wild donkeys.

CASINO – Plaza Resort and Divi Flamingo both have casinos. Good luck!

PROBLEMS - Staff at the hotels and dive shop will be able to help you resolve almost any problem that comes up. If you’re unhappy with your hotel room for any reason, tell the front desk or manager, and ask them to resolve the situation. For serious situations, emergencies, or assistance with problems you can’t resolve locally, call us at Bay Adventures (Miami) at 305-892-4280 or email info@bayadventures.com. IMPORTANT: if you believe you are being charged unfairly for something, get a receipt and the name of the person who insists on payment – otherwise there is no recourse for getting your money back! And while we’re on the subject of problems…

COMMUNICATIONS – Hotels offer cable TV, with several channels in English including CNN, ESPN, Disney, and others. Internet service is available at most hotels. Telephone service is good on the island, and direct dialing is possible from most resorts (though calls from your hotel room can be expensive – several dollars a minute, depending on where you’re calling). Your US or Canadian cell phone may or may not work on Bonaire; check with your carrier first.
To call Bonaire from the US, dial 011-599 then the local 7-digit number.

THINGS TO DO – when not eating, drinking, sunning, napping, diving, or telling “big fish” stories… Bonaire is not only a Diver’s Paradise! There are many other eco-adventures available, including windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, parasailing, bird-watching, and cave and cavern exploration. Take a day trip to Slagbaai National Park, the mountainous northern section of the island (go early, there’s no entry after 3pm). For any and all activities, just ask the friendly staff at your hotel or dive center and they’ll point you in the right direction.

AND A FEW MORE SUGGESTIONS -

Be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure time.
Remember to check flight times on the airlines’ websites.
Have your proof of citizenship documents handy.
Know where your money is at all times.
Essential medicines and irreplaceable items are best kept with you in carry-on bags.
Don’t pack nonessential valuables in carry-on luggage (consider leaving them at home!)
An easygoing attitude and a smile are the most important things you can bring with you on vacation!
Your vacation begins the moment you walk out your front door. Relax and enjoy yourself!

Use our advice as a starting point for your own exploration, and you’ll find that friendly people, great sunsets, exhilarating diving, and the beautiful waters of the Caribbean are only the beginnings of a great vacation!