Many descriptions and slogans have been written about Bonaire: Best Kept Secret, Unhurried, Unspoiled, Unforgettable; Diver's Paradise; and the list goes on...  The fact is that all these statements are true! Another truth is the statistic that over 30% of arrivals on Bonaire are repeat visitors! There must be a reason why all these folks return... First timers generally have heard about the climate, the water, the sun and what there is to do. When asked, repeat visitors generally say that they did not have enough time to do all they wanted to on their first visit. If it is the third or fourth trip, the answer is basically the same but with this addition "It is the warmth and friendliness of the people" that keeps visitors returning year after year. Bonaire has the reputation of being laid back, slower paced and very tranquil. The good news is that while this is all quite true, the island also offers a lively nightlife, fun places to visit and world class restaurants. When you first come to the island, you are a visitor, but when you leave, you are a friend.

Here are some usefal facts about Bonaire you may want to know: Airport Flamingo International Airport - the airport's designation is BON. Click here for its website   ATM / Banks Bonaire has a number of banks, all of which have ATM’s located conveniently around the island. Banking hours Mo-Fri 8 am to 4pm.   Currency The Netherlands Antilles Guilder (Naf.) is fixed at the exchange rate of  USD 1.78. Almost all stores and businesses exchange at USD 1.75. You can spend US Dollars anywhere, but may receive your change in guilders. Traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted.   Climate/wheater The average air temperature is 82º Fahrenheit (30ºC) and 75% relative humidity. In the evenings, air temperature only drops slightly. Average water temperature is 80ºF (29ºC). Rainfall averages 22" (52.8cm) per year. There is a constant trade wind that makes the climate very comfortable. Average windspeed is 15 mph (25kph).   Customs Besides articles for personal use, visitors over 15 are allowed 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of distillated beverages, 2 liters of wine.   Departure Tax International departure tax is USD32.- per person, payable upon departure. This is usually not included in your airline ticket. Domestic departure tax (Curaçao, Aruba) is USD 6.- per person.   Drinking Age, Casino/Gambling and drug laws The legal drinking age on Bonaire is 18, and the legal age for gambling in a casino is 21. The Netherlands Antilles have its own drug laws which are not the same as in The Netherlands; Bonaire’s drug laws are not lenient.   Drinking water The water is distilled from seawater and is perfectly safe to drink; actually, it may taste much better than you’re used to at home! Driving License Foreign and international licenses are accepted. You will need either one of them when renting a car or scooter!   Electricity Elecitricity on Bonaire 127 V, 50 Hz, but 220 Volt is also available at all Waterlands Cottages. Most US appliances (110 V) may be plugged into a 127V socket directly without a transformer, as long as you understand that some U.S. voltage specific devices may run warm, and may burn out if left plugged in for a long time. Note that many notebook computers already have universal power supplies and should work fine plugged into any outlet (check with your manufacturer or your notebook power supply for details)   Entry Requirements US, Canadian and European citizens must have a valid Passport and a return or ongoing ticket. Internet Access E-mail access is available through local providers. Waterlands Village offers wireless internet service. Languages The official language of Bonaire is Dutch, yet the native language is actually Papiamentu, spoken exlusively in the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Papiamentu is a mixture of many languages including Spanish,  Dutch, Portuguese, French, English, Caribbean Indian and various African languages. An official spelling for Papiamentu words was established several years ago, and dictionaries and language training materials are available on-island. All Antillean children are required to be fluent in Dutch as part of their schooling, so if you can speak Dutch, you'll be able to get around very well. There are a number of Dutch-language newspapers available on Bonaire (although none published directly on the island) in case you want to catch up on the latest news, and the pop music Mega FM radio station at FM 101 features hourly news in Dutch during the work day. English is also widely spoken on Bonaire. Current American magazines and books are available in several bookstores. And, while there are local Dutch and Papiamentu language newspapers, there isn't currently an English-language equivalent, other than the weekly The Bonaire Reporter newspaper. Trans World Radio, an international Christian radio station located on Bonaire also offers hourly news at AM 800. Spanish speaking visitors and residents of Bonaire shouldn't have much problem either, as the Papiamentu language has strong Spanish roots, and is close enough that one can make oneself understood when speaking Spanish.   Religion / Church Services Religion is an integral part of life of many Bonaire residents, as well as a strong part of the cultural history of Bonaire, and there are quite a number of churches of all types on the island. We can provide you with a list of the various place of worship on Bonaire. We'd like to remind visitors that Bonaire's churches are always delighted to see island residents and visitors attending their church services. However, they do ask that visitors respect the hospitality of Bonaire's spiritual community and wear appropriate attire when attending services. No beach wear, shorts, T-shirts or slippers (flip flops), please. Shopping One thing you won't find on Bonaire are endless shops selling the same trinkets and souvenirs at ever changing prices. What you will find is 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. 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. Check out our local artists and craftsmans. 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. Stores and Markets Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 8 or 9 AM until 12 noon when they close for one to two hours, than remain open until 6 PM. Hours vary widely and some stay open during lunch hour. If you're interested in cooking for yourself, Bonaire has a number of large and small markets where you can find much of what you may need for tonight’s favourite dish. In addition to the more bigger supermarkets as Cultimara (located in downtown Kralendijk. also open on Sunday mornings!) or Warehouse (close to Waterlands on the way to the airport from town), there are also a few more informal ones. In particular, near the Town Pier, you'll find that Venezuelan produce merchants have set up a shop in a covered pavillion, and you can usually find the freshest product here - literally right off the boat (and before that, the farm). Practice your Spanish a little before shopping here if you want to get the best price. Fresh fish is also available on Bonaire, with Wahoo or Dorado being sold for as little as USD 2.50 a pound. However, the fish sellers work out of their homes, and don't always have fish available, nor are always in. Ask a local (or us!) when you get here on how to find a local fish seller. The best time of the day to go is usually between 5 and 6pm, because the fishermen have come back by then with their fresh catch. Taxes, Tipping and Service Charges There is a 5% sales tax on virtually all goods and services. Tipping is much the same as in the US. Some restaurants add a 10-15% service charge automatically, so if in doubt, ask. Taxis - generally a 10% tip is greatly apppreciated. Taxis Taxis are available at the airport. From other locations you may call the taxi stand at the airport at Tel. 8100. Time Zone Atlantic Standard Time. Same time as the United States East Coast during daylight savings time (mid-Spring to mid-Fall). Bonaire does not change time for daylight savings, as is the custom in North America and Europe. Time difference with Western Europe is -5 (winter) or -6 (summer). Vaccinations No vaccinations or preventative medications are recommended for travel to Bonaire. Yellow fever and Malaria are not a problem here.