Our Campus

The medical school campus, nestled on the quaint island of Bonaire, consists of four separate buildings which house classrooms, a library, faculty offices, the gross anatomy laboratory and the student activity center.  Saint James School of Medicine is located in Bonaire’s capital city, Kralendijk, a small, picturesque, fairytale-like city that has the perfect blend of Dutch and Caribbean flavors. The strand is luxuriously paved with colored bricks and is lined by white sandy beaches studded with restaurants and cafes, where tourists get a chance to blend with the friendly population of Bonaire.

Bonaire, a small island located 30 miles from Curacao and 50 miles north of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean, is known for its pioneering role in the preservation of nature in particular the marine environment.  This island is ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing, among other things.  Over the past two decades, Bonaire has consistently ranked as one of the finest snorkeling and scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean.  Bonaire, population 15,000, has the reputation of being laid back, slower paced and very tranquil which is an ideal environment for students pursuing a medical degree.  The native languages are Dutch and Papiamento with English widely spoken and the average temperature is 80 degrees year round.  A hurricane free island, Bonaire has a charming blend of European and Caribbean cultures offering tropical hotels, amazing night-life and world class restaurants. When you first come to the island, you are a visitor, but when you leave you are a friend. 

Other important information you should know about Bonaire include:

Airlines: 
Flamingo Airport is the International airport located on Bonaire. Delta and Continental Airlines have direct flights to Bonaire on weekends.  American Airlines and American Eagle operate daily flights from major cities in the United States to Bonaire via San Juan, Puerto Rico. Air Jamaica operates flights via Montego Bay, Jamaica. Four other Airlines operate via Curacao and Venezuela.

Government:
Bonaire is a part of the Netherlands Antilles, which also consists of four other islands. The island government is represented in the central administration by an appointed Governor and three elected commissioners who look after their day to day affairs.

Banking:
The official currency is the NAFL(Guilder) exchanged at about NAFL 1.80 = US $1.00.  Travelers checks, U.S. dollars and all major credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours on weekdays are between 8:00am to 3:30pm and ATMs are located at the airport, in hotel lobbies and in many other locations in Kralendijk and Rincon.

Time Zone:
Atlantic standard (Eastern Standard Time plus one hour).

Telephone:
Hotels have direct dialing worldwide and there are several public phone booths that accept calling cards. Cell phones are available as well but be sure to check with your wireless company to find out whether they have services on Bonaire.

Electricity:
U.S. Standards, 110 volts.