BONAIRE TRAVEL INFORMATION
BEST TIME TO VISIT BONAIRE
When is the best time to visit Bonaire?
Bonaire is dry most of the year with the average air temperature of 82C Fahrenheit and 75% humidity. The water temperature is on average 80F, and the annual rainfall is 22” per year. The evenings are lovely and cool. All of this makes Bonaire is a great destination at any time of the year, but there are some factors that may influence when you want to come, such as these:
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Bonaire is located outside the hurricane belt, so your diving is less likely to be affected by the weather
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High season for tourists is Dec 21st to April 5th*
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Mid season is April 6th to June 14th*
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The low season is July 1st to Dec 15th*
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There are low winds all year round
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Hotter temperatures are in September, October
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The rainy season is November to January
*Dates are based on accommodation pricing.
Use this information to help you plan when you want to come to Bonaire. Make sure you book well in advance, so you get more choices for accommodation. Bonaire is a popular island and availability can be limited during peak times.
BONAIRE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Bonaire visa and passport entry requirements
You need a valid passport to enter Bonaire and it needs to remain valid for the duration of your visit. US citizens must have a return or ongoing ticket.
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Most visitors from other countries do not require a visa to enter Bonaire. You can find out your country's visa requirements at Netherlands Worldwide. Visitors from the USA do not require a visa to enter Bonaire.
Bonaire Visitor Entry Tax
Bonaire has introduced a Visitor Entry Tax for all non-residents and visitors to Bonaire, effective July 1st 2022. This is not a new tax, it replaces former room and rental car tax.
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​What does this mean for visitors to Bonaire?
- Visitors 13 years and older are required to pay $75 USD per person
- Visitors 12 years and younger are required to pay $10 USD per person
- Residents of the former Netherlands Antilles are required to pay$10 USD
- Bonaire residents with a valid Bonaire I.D. do not have to pay the Visitor Entry Tax.
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How do you pay for the Visitor Entry Tax?
You can pay online at www.bonaireisland.com before you arrive or you can pay when you arrive at Bonaire International Airport (Flamingo Airport). The correct link for paying the Visitor Entry Tax is https://tourismtax.bonairegov.com/
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​Do I have to pay this tax each time I visit Bonaire?
Yes, it is a per visit tax.
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Where can I find more information about the Bonaire Visitor Entry Tax?
You can find more information about the visitors tax at www.bonaireisland.com.
BONAIRE NATURE FEE
What is the nature fee and how much is it?
The Nature Fee is not part of the Visitor Entry tax. As a visitor or non-resident to Bonaire if you plan on enjoying Bonaire’s Marine Park you need to pay the Nature Fee as well as the Visitor Entry Tax. It's $40 for all visitors and you can pay your Nature Fee here at Stinapa.
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You can read more about Bonaire's Nature Fee on our blog - Learn more about Bonaire's Nature Fee
ESSENTIAL BONAIRE INFORMATION
Bonaire Time Zone
Bonaire is Atlantic Standard Time (AST). Bonaire does not change time for daylight savings.
Bonaire medical facilities
Bonaire has a main hospital and ambulance service for emergencies. The emergency phone number is 911.
Where can you find wifi on Bonaire?
Most hotels, resorts and restaurants offer free WiFi to customers.
Bonaire money and currency
The official currency of Bonaire is USD. Credit cards are widely accepted. Carry your passport or other ID with a picture on it for identification. You might be asked to present it for some transactions. ATM’s are available 24 hours at several banks in Kralendijk. Standard banking hours are 8am to 3.30pm.
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Electricity on Bonaire
Bonaire’s power is 127 volts, 50 Hz. Some resorts have 220 volts. American appliances are 110V, 60 Hz so some appliances may require a transformer. Please note that both European standard and US standard outlet connections are available in many Bonaire buildings, but it won’t be clear what voltage each outlet is running. Please check before using any of them.
It’s a good idea to travel with a surge protector as power surges and brownouts are not uncommon on Bonaire.
Where to get fuel/gas on Bonaire
You can get fuel/gas at the following locations:
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Bonoco Gas Station - 10 Kaya Industria, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands. Get directions here.
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Curoil Gas Station - 5PCH+M4P, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands. Get directions here.
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Gas Express - 5P2G+JVP, Kaya Neerlandia, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands. Get directions here.
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Is it safe to drink the water on Bonaire?
Yes, it is safe to drink the water. The drinking water on Bonaire is distilled and purified seawater. You can also buy bottled water.
What are the shopping hours in Bonaire?
The main shopping hours are between 8am/9am to 6pm/7pm Monday through Saturday. Note, many close for 1 to 2 hours at lunch time and may have much shorter hours on a Sunday, for example 11am to 2pm.
Additional information about Bonaire can be found at Bonaire Tourism
​Supermarkets on Bonaire
Several good supermarkets in Kralendijk are Van den Tweel, Warehouse, and Bon Di Grio (cash only) You will find them well stocked. Besides the large supermarkets there are mini-marts dotted around town.
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Van Den Tweel
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Hours are 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
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Address is 39 Kaya Industria, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands. Get directions here.
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Van Den Tweel is a large, upmarket supermarket offering a wide selection of produce from Europe and the USA. Great for finding fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy and deli items, bakery produce, and wine.
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Warehouse Bonaire
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Hours are 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
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Address is 24 Kaya Industria, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands. Get directions here.
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Warehouse Bonaire offers a good selection of produce and groceries. This store is a more casual and smaller supermarket than Van Den Tweel. You can find all the basics you need here.
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BonDiGro Supermarket
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Check opening hours as they can vary.
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Address is 29 Kaya Industria Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands. Get directions here.
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BonDiGro is a co-op supermarket set up to offer a less expensive grocery store to the larger chains of Van Den Tweel and Warehouse Bonaire. You'll find everyday basic groceries but you might not find everything you need. It is the cheapest supermarket on Bonaire, but accepts cash only or local bank ATM card.
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You can read more about supermarkets on Bonaire here, including walk through videos of the three main stores - Grocery Shopping in Bonaire Supermarkets
MAPS OF BONAIRE
​General Maps
Bonaire Tourism has a great map of Bonaire where you can find filters for accommodation, beach sites, diving sites, restaurants, and sightseeing. You can find the map here.
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Dive Maps
There are a few dive site maps you can choose to suit you.
RESTAURANTS ON BONAIRE
Enjoy Bonaire's culinary options
Dining options range from fast food through to expensive dining, and cater for all type of cuisine. If you're after chain restaurants there are only two, KFC and Subway. The fast food trucks offer all types of great takeaway options. There are many restaurants to choose from, with delicious dining options and something for everyone.
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Helpful restaurant information can be found at here:
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Bonaire Restaurant Guide - an online guide to help you navigate Bonaire's culinary venues.
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Dining tips:
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Dietary requirements such as gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian options are available and restaurants are happy to accommodate.
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We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. It can get busy at the more popular restaurants.
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Our top 5 favorite restaurants on Bonaire
