Banks:

ATM machines are available on Bonaire. They all offer you the ability to withdraw cash money from your ATM account in American Dollars.

Taxes/tipping:

A 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:

For flight tickets purchased after October 1, 2010 no 'Airport Tax' need to be paid at the booth anymore. Until that date: International flights require US $36,67 airport tax at the 'Airport Tax' booth when leaving Bonaire, US $8,71 for Dutch Caribbean or US $ 20 to Aruba before check-in. As of January 1, 2008 a Security Fee must be paid ($1,40) before departing. Direct flights to Bonaire from the USA from different airports. Check the website of Flamingo Airport Bonaire (IATA code: BON) for more information. Travel time from Bonaire airport to downtown Kralendijk is less than 10 minutes. There are also several car rental companies located at the airport.

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 water temperature about 27 degrees Celsius. Be very careful with sunbathing the first week as your skin can burn very quickly.

Currency:

Bonaire, Saba and Statia (Dutch Caribbean) use the US Dollar (US $) as the only official currency since January 1, 2010. Until that date the official currency was the NAfl (Netherlands Antilles Guilder).

Drinking water:

Delicious and high quality drinking water from tap.

Electricity:

Mainly 110 Volt for NEMA power plugs as used in North American countries, but many hotels also offer 220 Volt (power plug Type F).

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 to 5 miles wide. Latitude 12°9'02" N and Longitude 68°16'36" W (Kralendijk).

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.

Population:

About 16,000 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). South of the airport is Belnem.

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 (dead) coral is strictly prohibited. Many countries also prohibit the import of conches like the karkó found on Bonaire.

Prices:

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

Crime:

Even if Bonaire is a quiet 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 or 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.