Bonaire :: Travel Tips

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
127 volts AC, 50Hz.

Its people
The Bonairean culture is reflected in the faces of her people. The real Bonairean culture is based on traditions that go back many generations and are chronicled in the songs and dances that are performed during holidays and festivals. It is also based on strong family ties and a general respect for nature and an understanding of an environment that originally was foreign to those first settlers and slaves that were forced to work the inhospitable, arid land.
The people of the island of Bonaire are very outgoing and friendly; they enjoy meeting and talking with island locals and island visitors. They are part of the past and are proud of what they have accomplished on an island that was abandoned hundreds of years ago and deemed useless by the Spanish. As for the future, Bonaireans welcome progress but have made a conscious decision to take time out and step back and to look at how it will impact their island and their lives. They have learned to balance their growth with the environment.

Food and water
Bonaire's seawater is distilled and purified to become one of the purest drinking waters in the world. Imported water is available as well.
Regarding food, Bonaire has a rich mixture of choices as there are over 70 different cultures to draw recipes from!
You can always try local food. Around Bonaire you may see a sign, Aki ta Bende Kuminda Krioyo, or "local food sold here", there you will be well fed from a selection of sopi (soups), stoba (stews) or food that is hasa (fried). The portions are huge, very tasty, and economical. The local food is served pa bai kun'e (to go) from the Snacks or in a number of places, at sit down establishments.
When you order local food you have it served with rice, potato or funchi. Many people order it mitar mitar, which is half-and-half, with rice and potato or funchi. You can also ask for the pika siboyo, a sauce made with onions marinated in vinegar and hot peppers.
If you're more interested in cooking for yourself, Bonaire has a number of large and small markets where you can find much of what you may need to make a killer chili, some nice pasta dishes, and more. There are few informal markets, In particular, one near the Town Pier, where you can usually find the freshest products - literally right off the boat.
Ask a local when you get here on how to find a local fish seller. We've found that the best time of the day to go is usually between 5 and 6pm, because the fishermen have usually come back by then with their catches.

Vaccines
No vaccinations or preventative medications are mandatory for travelling to Bonaire. Yellow fever and Malaria are not a problem there.

Shopping
In Bonaire you will find a main shopping avenue, a few mini malls and lots of interesting establishments tucked away just a bit off the main drag. Each store is unique and stocks merchandise that is competitively priced with goods from the United States and Europe.
The resorts also have an array of stores. Watches, authorized Rolex dealer, gold jewelry, Dutch cheese, Cuban cigars (enjoy them on-island, not importable into the USA) and fine china can be found at reasonable prices there as well.
Check out our local artists and craftsmen. Many of the gift shops carry locally made items that could be your perfect Bonaire memory - paintings, prints, cards, ceramic tiles, painted fish, costume jewelry, island dolls, and even high quality gold jewelry.
Check with your home country as to allowances and items you are able to import.
Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from between 8 or 9 am until 12 noon when they close for one to two hours, then remain open until 6 PM.

Hours vary widely and some stay open during lunch hour. The larger supermarkets are open from 7:30 or 8 AM until 7 PM (may close during lunch) and some may be open on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Tipping
Tipping is much the same as in the States. Some restaurants add a 10-15% service charge automatically, so if in doubt, ask. Taxis - generally a 10% tip is greatly appreciated. In dive shops, etc. 10% is also the norm.

Banks
Bonaire has a number of banks, all of which have ATM's located conveniently around the island. Banking hours are Monday through Friday 8 or 8:30 am until 3:30 or 4pm. Some are opened during the lunch hour.

Driver's license
Foreign and international licenses are accepted.

Emergencies
Bonaire has a 60-bed hospital, Hospital San Francisco (Kaya Soeur Bartola #2, Kralendijk), and a number of doctors. There is an ambulance plane on call for emergencies. A hyperbaric recompression chamber is located adjacent to the hospital and is run by a highly trained staff - admittance via the emergency room at the hospital. The emergency phone number for the ambulance is 114.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Roads are reasonably good, although jeeps may be needed for extensive touring of the island.

Taxi: A good service exists on the island. Rates are government controlled.

Car hire: Numerous car hire firms are located at hotels, the airport and Kralendijk. Reservations should be made in advance to get the best rates. Pick-ups and mini-vans are available for shore divers. Bikes, scooters and motorbikes can also be hired without any difficulty.

Documentation: A national driving license is acceptable if held for at least two years, although drivers must be at least 21 years of age (minimum age varies according to hire company and type of car). Drivers under a certain age may also be restricted as to what type of car they may hire, and most cars are manual/standard transmission.

Safety & Security
The Netherlands Antilles have no indigenous extremist groups and have not experienced any terrorist incidents. Crime, including transnational crime such as drug trafficking, is common.
Visitors are encouraged to monitor media reports, and are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.