Bonaire
| Västindien |
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list” SUSAN SONTAG
© Tord Elfwendahl
Location: Southwestern Caribbean, 75 km / 45 miles north of Venezuela. “B” in ABC
islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao).
map
Area: 288 km2 / 111 sq m.
Climate: Tropical dry with daily sunshine. Average midday temperature 31 C (88 F).
Sea 27 C (81 F). Refreshing trade winds.
October-February, short, occasional showers, usually at night. Located outside the
hurricane belt, Bonaire is together with neighbors Aruba and Curaçao a perfect year
around destination.
Time: Atlantic Standard Time, US EST -1, GMT -4.
Population: 13. 000.
Language: Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish.
Religions: Catholics (80%), Protestants, Jews all have their own houses of worship
and practice their religions freely.
Capital: Kralendijk.
Government: Bonaire form, along with neighboring Curaçao and north Caribbean
islands St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Netherlands Antilles, an
autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bonaire and Netherlands
Antilles is not a member of EU!
How to get there: A number of airline companies operate on Bonaire with daily
options from Europe, USA, South America and Caribbean. Amsterdam: 9 h, Miami
21/2 h, Caracas: 1,5 h, Paramaribo: 3 h, San Juan: 1 h, Montego Bay: 2 h, Aruba: 40
min, Curaçao: 25 min.
Entry Requirements: Citizens of most countries do not need a visa for entering
Bonaire. Only valid passport and a return flight ticket are required.
Currency: US$ and Netherlands Antillean Florin (also called Guilders), abbreviated
Nafl, are used parallel. US$ 1 = Nafl 1.75. Major Credit Cards are widely accepted.
Bring bills of 50 US$ or smaller. Euro is generally not accepted, however most
banks exchanges Euro and other foreign currencies.
You can trust on always getting the right amount back when exchanging dollars to
local currency in hotels, restaurants, bars,
cafés and shops.
Banking Hours: Mo-Fr 8:00am - 3:30 pm. Airport bank open Mo-Sa 8:00am-8:00pm,
Su 9:00am- 4:00pm. ATMs disburse US dollars.
Medical Treatment / Health care: As protection against the tropical sun, a sun
protection lotion, sunglasses and a hat are recommended. Bonaire has no malaria
or similar tropical diseases, and no vaccinations are needed. Eat and drink freely. If
you need pharmaceutics, look out for "Botica". San Francisco Hospital features an
ambulance plane and a recompression chamber. In case of emergency, call 114.
Drinking Water: Pure, delicious, distilled sea water direct from tap.
What to Wear: Casual tropical wear. Beware of strong sunshine. Some restaurants
prohibit shorts or sandals; some casinos also require jackets for men. Bathing
suits belong to the beach. Sturdy shoes if you go for a hike in the countryside.
What to Bring: Film and video cassettes, batteries, sunscreen, disposable diapers,
sporting goods and books are all generally more expensive on Bonaire. Local
stores carry a good selection of most items.
Cellular phones / Internet: GSM phones are not supported on Bonaire!Besides
from using hotel’s direct international call service or internet facilities, you can buy
an accurate SIM-card, rent a cellular phone or visit an internet café.
What to buy: International brands of electronics, cameras, watches and jewelries.
Look out for good bargains on fashion and shoes.
Tipping: It is customary to tip porters Nafl 1 per bag, and taxi drivers 5-10% of the
fare. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge to the bill; you can leave a
couple more Florins change if you like.
Transport: Mini buses (9-12 seats): runs on major roads/streets during daytime.
Taxi: easy to recognize by their signs. Agree
on price before the ride.
Traffic: Drive to the right. Asphalt roads in good condition.
Driving License: Foreign and international licenses are accepted.
Electricity: 127/120 V. A.C./ 50 cycles. Dual voltage appliances from Europe and
South America will need an adapter plug. For sensitive electronic devices and
computers consider using a surge regulator. It's a good idea to charge underwater
strobes and videos on the regulated systems at dive shops and photo centers.
Criminality: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are in general considered to be safe and
secure destinations. You will find yourself in a much more comfortable environment
than most well known tourist destinations and towns around the world. However,
this doesn’t mean that you should not take the obvious measures of course: use
the hotel’s safe for any valuables, precious jewelries, cash, etc; don’t leave wallets,
purses, cameras, etc out of sight; don’t leave valuables visible in your parked car.
Be aware not having anyone hanging over your shoulder when you process your
withdrawal at one of the many ATM’s.
Note: It is prohibited to collect and export any kind of coral stones and shells!
islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao).
map
Area: 288 km2 / 111 sq m.
Climate: Tropical dry with daily sunshine. Average midday temperature 31 C (88 F).
Sea 27 C (81 F). Refreshing trade winds.
October-February, short, occasional showers, usually at night. Located outside the
hurricane belt, Bonaire is together with neighbors Aruba and Curaçao a perfect year
around destination.
Time: Atlantic Standard Time, US EST -1, GMT -4.
Population: 13. 000.
Language: Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish.
Religions: Catholics (80%), Protestants, Jews all have their own houses of worship
and practice their religions freely.
Capital: Kralendijk.
Government: Bonaire form, along with neighboring Curaçao and north Caribbean
islands St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Netherlands Antilles, an
autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bonaire and Netherlands
Antilles is not a member of EU!
How to get there: A number of airline companies operate on Bonaire with daily
options from Europe, USA, South America and Caribbean. Amsterdam: 9 h, Miami
21/2 h, Caracas: 1,5 h, Paramaribo: 3 h, San Juan: 1 h, Montego Bay: 2 h, Aruba: 40
min, Curaçao: 25 min.
Entry Requirements: Citizens of most countries do not need a visa for entering
Bonaire. Only valid passport and a return flight ticket are required.
Currency: US$ and Netherlands Antillean Florin (also called Guilders), abbreviated
Nafl, are used parallel. US$ 1 = Nafl 1.75. Major Credit Cards are widely accepted.
Bring bills of 50 US$ or smaller. Euro is generally not accepted, however most
banks exchanges Euro and other foreign currencies.
You can trust on always getting the right amount back when exchanging dollars to
local currency in hotels, restaurants, bars,
cafés and shops.
Banking Hours: Mo-Fr 8:00am - 3:30 pm. Airport bank open Mo-Sa 8:00am-8:00pm,
Su 9:00am- 4:00pm. ATMs disburse US dollars.
Medical Treatment / Health care: As protection against the tropical sun, a sun
protection lotion, sunglasses and a hat are recommended. Bonaire has no malaria
or similar tropical diseases, and no vaccinations are needed. Eat and drink freely. If
you need pharmaceutics, look out for "Botica". San Francisco Hospital features an
ambulance plane and a recompression chamber. In case of emergency, call 114.
Drinking Water: Pure, delicious, distilled sea water direct from tap.
What to Wear: Casual tropical wear. Beware of strong sunshine. Some restaurants
prohibit shorts or sandals; some casinos also require jackets for men. Bathing
suits belong to the beach. Sturdy shoes if you go for a hike in the countryside.
What to Bring: Film and video cassettes, batteries, sunscreen, disposable diapers,
sporting goods and books are all generally more expensive on Bonaire. Local
stores carry a good selection of most items.
Cellular phones / Internet: GSM phones are not supported on Bonaire!Besides
from using hotel’s direct international call service or internet facilities, you can buy
an accurate SIM-card, rent a cellular phone or visit an internet café.
What to buy: International brands of electronics, cameras, watches and jewelries.
Look out for good bargains on fashion and shoes.
Tipping: It is customary to tip porters Nafl 1 per bag, and taxi drivers 5-10% of the
fare. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge to the bill; you can leave a
couple more Florins change if you like.
Transport: Mini buses (9-12 seats): runs on major roads/streets during daytime.
Taxi: easy to recognize by their signs. Agree
on price before the ride.
Traffic: Drive to the right. Asphalt roads in good condition.
Driving License: Foreign and international licenses are accepted.
Electricity: 127/120 V. A.C./ 50 cycles. Dual voltage appliances from Europe and
South America will need an adapter plug. For sensitive electronic devices and
computers consider using a surge regulator. It's a good idea to charge underwater
strobes and videos on the regulated systems at dive shops and photo centers.
Criminality: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are in general considered to be safe and
secure destinations. You will find yourself in a much more comfortable environment
than most well known tourist destinations and towns around the world. However,
this doesn’t mean that you should not take the obvious measures of course: use
the hotel’s safe for any valuables, precious jewelries, cash, etc; don’t leave wallets,
purses, cameras, etc out of sight; don’t leave valuables visible in your parked car.
Be aware not having anyone hanging over your shoulder when you process your
withdrawal at one of the many ATM’s.
Note: It is prohibited to collect and export any kind of coral stones and shells!
What to do Deep Sea Fishing & Bonefishing The principal target species are Wahoo, King Mackerel, Barracuda (Picuda or Barracuda), Yellowish Tuna (Tuna Rab’I gai). Albacore (Alfrico), dolphinfish and Horse Eye Jack (Wowo di Boyo). Wahoo is a member of the Tuna Deep Sea Fishing Trips with “Piscatur” Captain Chris Morkos has been fishing Bonaire for over 30 years! No one knows these waters better than Captain Chris! Island Tour Monday-Friday Depart: 9am. Duration: 3 hrs. By booking this tour, you ensure to have a seat on the Bonaire island tour! Kayaking Monday-Saturday Depart: 8:30am. Duration: 3,5 hrs. Mountain Bike Trekking Monday-Saturday Depart: 8am. Duration: 3,5 hrs. Mountain bike through miles of unspoiled beauty and breathtaking vistas. Caribbean’s Top Windsurfing A full week of outstanding windsurfing at world renewed Lac Bay on Bonaire, with access to professional Hi~Fly and Gaastra equipment. |
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© 2006 AbsoluteCaribbean/all rights reserved. Us of this website constitutes acceptance of AbsoluteCaribbean Last update 4.2 2008
Our Hotels on Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club * * * * *
Plaza Resort Bonaire * * * *
Belmar Oceanfront deluxe Apartments * * * *
Captain Don’s Habitat * * * *
Buddy Dive Resort * * * *
Sand Dollar Condominium * * * *
KonTiki Beach * * *
Harbour Village Beach Club * * * * *
Plaza Resort Bonaire * * * *
Belmar Oceanfront deluxe Apartments * * * *
Captain Don’s Habitat * * * *
Buddy Dive Resort * * * *
Sand Dollar Condominium * * * *
KonTiki Beach * * *
