A collection of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Banks

RBC Bank, Antilles Banking Corporation Bonaire, Banco de Caribe and Maduro & Curiel's Bank. Banking hours are Monday through Friday from 8 or 8:30 AM to 3:30 or 4:00 PM.

Cell Phones

There are three cellular service providers on Bonaire: Digicel, Telbo, and MIO. Telbo and Digicel use GSM, and MIO uses CDMA. All three offer prepaid phone usage programs. GSM chips can be bought on island for use in unlocked phones. Cell phones are also available for rent at Chat'n'Browse.

Churches, Mosques and Synagogues

Religion is important in the lives of Bonaire residents. With people from more than 75 nations we have Christians of all denominations, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and people who just move within the religious community worshipping with friends and family at one of many locations.
The services are conducted in Papiamentu, Dutch, English and Spanish. Check with the list below for more information or just give them a call. All visitors are welcome. Since most travelers do not bring their "Sunday best" to Bonaire many of the places of worship will welcome you in casual but conservative dress!
Click here for complete list of houses of worship.

Currency/Money

U.S. currency, Travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere. The local currency is the US Dollar. Other currencies including Canadian Dollars, the Euro, English Pound Sterling, French Francs, Venezuelan Bolivars and Aruba and Curacao Florin can also be exchanged.

Drinking Water

Bonaire's seawater is distilled and purified to become one of the purest drinking waters in the world. Imported water is available however not really necessary.

Electricity

127/120 volts, 50AC. Converters are available in the hotels. Most U.S. appliances will work on Bonaire, though slowly. Many dive shops have adapters for charging lights, strobes or delicate equipment.

Internet and Wifi

Most accommodations offer internet service. For some it is included in the room rate. For those that don't bring a device with them there are a few internet café's on the island. The service is relatively inexpensive.
Chat 'n Browse offers 24-hour wifi and internet services. Located at the Sand Dollar Shopping Plaza (Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #79)

Medical Facilities

San Francisco Hospital is fully equipped to respond to any emergency. Bonaire has its own recompression chamber, with trained medical personnel, on call 24 hours a day. There are extensive medical facilities available as well as air ambulances.

Passports & Immigration

U.S. and Canadian citizens as well as all countries must have a valid passport. A return or continuing ticket is also required along with sufficient means to support yourself during your stay. Maximum stay is 90 days. All others refer to the Embassy.

Personal Safety

Bonaire has a reputation for being one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, but exercise normal precautions; i.e. don't leave valuables laying unattended in hotel rooms (use the hotels' safes) or in rental cars or on the beach.

Population:

15,500

Shopping Hours

Monday through Saturday 8:00am to noon and 2:00pm-6:00pm. Grocery stores open from 8 -6 with a few of the larger ones until 8. Many open Sundays as well. Times may vary.

Taxes

There is a hotel tax of US$5.50 to $6.50 per person per night. Car rentals are taxed at US$3.25 per day. There is also a 6% tax on car rentals, meals, services and general purchases.

Telephones

Calling the U.S. is easy from Bonaire. Most hotels offer USA Direct calling service, or can connect you with a U.S. operator for calling home. Local numbers can be reached by dialing the 717 plus the 4 digit number.

Television

Most hotels have  cable channels, with CNN, ESPN, Disney, NBC, CBS, Fox, etc., premium movie channels and local stations. Bonaire has NTSC system.

Time Zone

Atlantic Standard Time (AST), one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time.

Tipping/Gratuities