Useful Information for Bonaire Travelers

Language

Dutch and Papiamentu are the official languages. Everyone in public speaks English or Spanish.   

Weather

This is a hurricane free island. No major weather disturbances have affected this island for 60 years. The daytime temperature on Bonaire averages 80˚ give or take a few degrees. Easterly trade winds create ever-changing cloud movements. Winter evenings often require a light sweater.

Customs and Immigration

Visitors need a valid passport and/or voter’s registration or birth certificate along with roundtrip ticket for easy entry.

Banking

The official currency is the NAFL (guilder) exchanged at about NAFL 1.78 = US $1.00. Traveler’s checks, U.S. dollars, and major credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours on weekdays are 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Government

Bonaire is a part of the Netherlands Antilles, which consists of five islands. The central government in Curacao is made up of a parliament that includes representatives from the five islands. Locally, Bonaire has a Lieutenant Governor and an Island Council of various commissioners seeing to Bonaire’s welfare.

Electricity

U.S. Standard, 110 volts AC

Population

There are 15,000 inhabitants. The majority are indigenous to the Netherlands Antilles, followed by other ethnic groups.

Geography

The area is 112 square miles. Bonaire’s highest point is Mount Brandaris at 784 feet. It is located 1720 miles from New York, 50 miles north of Venezuela, and 30 miles east of Curacao.

Holidays (2010)

02/15/10 - Carnival
04/02/10 - Good Friday
04/05/10 - Easter
04/30/10 - Queen’s Day
05/01/10 - Labour Day
05/13/10 - Ascension Day
05/14/10 - Ascension Day
09/06/10 - Bonaire Flag Day
10/08/10 - Regatta
12/15/10 - Kingdom Day

Telephone

Hotels have direct dialing worldwide. There are several public phone booths that accept calling cards.  

Mail

It takes approximately a week to ten days either way for mail delivery when marked “AIRMAIL”. Federal Express is also available.

Time

Atlantic standard (Eastern Standard Time plus one hour)

Airlines

Bonaire is served by the Flamingo Airport. Delta, from Atlanta and Continental Airlines (from New York and Houston) have weekly direct flights to Bonaire. Insel Air operates direct flights between Miami and Bonaire on Saturdays. Other major airlines operate between major US. cities and Puerto Rico, Curacao, Jamaica, and Venezuela. Visit infobonaire.com for additional information on air travel to Bonaire.