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Travel tips

Banks:

ATM machines are available on Bonaire. They all offer you the ability to withdraw money off your ATM account in either American Dollars or Netherlands Antillean Guilders.

 

Taxes/tipping:

5 % tax will be added to your bill. Some restaurants will add a service tax automatically of 10 - 15 % to your bill. In Taxis generally a 10% tip is greatly apppreciated.

 

Airport:

International flights require NAfl 63,50 (US $36,67) airport tax at the 'Airport Tax' counter when leaving Bonaire or NAfl 15,50 (US $8,71) for Curaçao, St. Maarten or Aruba before check-in. As of 1 January 2008 a Security Fee must be paid ($1,40) before departing. Direct flights to Bonaire from USA (American Eagle / American Airlines or Continental Airlines), Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Venezuela with Transaven. Check the website of Flamingo Airport Bonaire for more information.

 

Climate:

Yearly average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit). November / December the temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit) during the day and 26 degrees Celsius at night. July / august the temperature is about 32 degrees Celsius during the day and 29 degrees Celsius at night. Average humidity is about 75%. Average watertemperature about 27 degrees Celsius. Be very careful with sunbathing the first week because your skin can burn very quickly.

 

Currency:

US $ = NAfl 1.78. At Bonaire and Curaçao (and St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Saba) NAfl (Netherlands Antilles Guilder) is the official currency, but American Dollars and credit cards are widely accepted. On January 1th 2011 Bonaire will use the American Dollar as the official currency.

 

Drinking water:

Delicious and high quality drinking water from tap.

 

Electricity:

Mainly 120 Volt, but many hotels also offer 220 Volt (Dutch plug).

 

Gas stations:

There are gas stations at Kralendijk and Rincón. You need to pay before filling up. After you have paid the requested amount of fuel, your pump will automatically stop filling your gastank.

 

Geography:

Bonaire is about 25 miles long and 3 tot 5 miles wide.

 

Emergency:

Bonaire has one hospital (Hospital San Francisco) with 60 beds (Kaya Soeur Bartola 2, Kralendijk).

 

Languages:

Dutch is the official language, but Papiamentu and English are widely spoken. Some people even speak Spanish. Flag of Bonaire

 

Population:

About 15,000 inhabitants at Bonaire. About 1,000 habitants at Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire. There are a few smaller villages like Antriol, Saliña, and Nikiboko near Kralendijk. Rincón is situated north west of Kralendijk (about 6 miles from Kralendijk).

 

Stores:

Most stores are opened from Monday through Saturday 8.00 - 12.00 PM and 2.00 - 6.00 PM. Some stores opens on Sunday when cruiseships are expected.

 

Souvenirs:

The export of shells and coral is strictly prohibited.

 

Prices:

Some stores offer Dutch and American products. Some products are cheaper, others are more expensive.

 

Crime:

Even if Bonaire is a quite island, crime exists. Pay attention to burglars and do not leave your valuable (video-) camera or dive computer in your car. If you do not take it out of your car, someone else might.

 

Traffic:

At Kralendijk is some one-way traffic. Speed limit in urban areas is 35 kph, out of town it is 60 kph, unless a higher/lower speed is indicated. Be very careful when roads are wet. Reduce your speed when you approach wild donkeys and goats to prevent accidents. There are no traffic lights on Bonaire.

 

Health:

In the Caribbean area the tropical sickness dengue is present that is transferred by the tiger mosquito. Dengue causes approximately 7 days violent fever, myalgia and head pain. There is no vaccine or medicines against dengue.
 
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