Bonaire Travel Guide

☀️🌴 The best time to visit Bonaire is from December through August, when the weather is warm and sunny 🌞, humidity is comfortable 💨, rainfall is low ☔❌, and there’s little risk of hurricanes 🌀🚫. 🌊🤿

This season is perfect for snorkeling, diving, beach days, outdoor adventures, and island exploring, offering beautiful conditions year-round in this laid-back Caribbean paradise 🏝️💖✨

🛂✈️ Before arriving in Bonaire, travelers must complete the online Digital Immigration Card before travel 🌴💻 at 👉 https://dicardbonaire.com

You’ll enter your passport, flight, and accommodation details and receive confirmation to show on arrival 📲✅. Be sure to declare any alcohol, tobacco, cash, or restricted items 🧳🍷💵 for smooth and stress-free entry 🌊🏝️💖

🚗🌴 Getting around Bonaire is easy and convenient, with rental cars 🚙, taxis 🚕, scooters 🛵, and bicycles 🚲 available for visitors. There are no ferries between islands, and most attractions, beaches, and dive sites are just a short drive away 🏝️✨.

Driving is on the right 🚦, and distances are short, making it simple to explore at your own pace. Visitors can drive using their home country driver’s license with most rental companies 📄✅. While ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft aren’t available, taxis and rental vehicles make getting around smooth and stress-free 🌊💖

🗣️🇳🇱🇬🇧 The official language of Bonaire is Dutch, but English is widely spoken, making travel easy and stress-free ✨. Visitors will hear English everywhere—🏨 hotels, 🍽️ restaurants, 🚕 taxis, 🤿 tours, and 🚦 road signs.

Many locals also speak Papiamentu and Spanish 🌴😊, but travelers will have no language barriers during their visit, as English is commonly used in tourism and daily life 🏝️💖🌊

✈️🌴 Bonaire is served by Flamingo International Airport (BON), the island’s main gateway for international and regional flights 🌍✈️, with easy connections from the U.S., Europe, and nearby Caribbean islands. Once you arrive, you’re just minutes from beaches, resorts, and dive sites 🏝️🤿✨.

🎒🚫 When packing, avoid restricted items such as weapons 🔫, pepper spray, and agricultural products like fresh fruits, vegetables, or plants 🌱. 🚁📸 Drones may require prior approval, and 💵📄 large amounts of cash should be declared at customs to ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival 🛂💖🌊

🛂✈️ Visitors to Bonaire must have a valid passport for the duration of their stay 📅🛃 and at least one blank page for entry stamps 🖊️. 🌍🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧 Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and many other countries do not need a visa for short stays ✅.

📄🎟️ Proof of onward or return travel is typically required upon arrival, including for cruise passengers visiting Bonaire 🛳️🏝️✨. Always double-check your documents before travel for a smooth, stress-free trip 💖🌊

💉✈️ For travelers from the U.S. visiting Bonaire, there are no required vaccines for entry ✅. It’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines such as MMR, flu 🤧, and COVID-19 🦠, and many travelers also choose Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B for extra protection 💪✨.

🌍🟡 A yellow fever vaccine is not required when arriving from the United States, making travel easy and stress-free 🏝️💖🌊

💍🌴 Getting married in Bonaire is legally possible for visitors, but the licensing and paperwork process takes time and couples must submit their documents well in advance. Once everything is approved, you’ll pay a marriage license fee (typically around US $150) to obtain your legal marriage license. 💌📄💖 

For official requirements and the exact process, you can visit the Bonaire government Civil Registry page here 👉 https://bonairegov.com/producten-en-diensten/burgerzaken/trouwen 🛂✨ 

After the legal ceremony through the Civil Registry, many couples choose a symbolic beach or resort celebration to make their day even more unforgettable 🌊🏝️🌺

🚫🌴 In Bonaire, camouflage clothing is not illegal, but visitors are encouraged to dress modestly in town and keep beachwear at the beach 👙🏖️. Marijuana is illegal, even though it is legal in parts of the Netherlands, and penalties can be strict 🌿🚫. Public nudity and topless sunbathing are not permitted on public beaches 🚷. Firearms, ammunition, pepper spray, and other self-defense weapons are prohibited without special permits 🔫⛔, and drones may require prior approval—especially near protected areas, wildlife, or the airport 🚁📸. Bonaire also has strong environmental protection laws, making it illegal to touch coral, disturb marine life, or remove shells and natural items 🐢🌊. The legal drinking age is 18 🍹🔞, and respecting local laws helps keep your trip smooth, safe, and stress-free 💖🏝️✨

🌴 Cell phone service in Bonaire is reliable across the island, with strong coverage in towns, resorts, and popular tourist areas 📶🏝️. Major U.S. carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile typically work with international roaming enabled 🇺🇸, and many European carriers also offer roaming plans 🇪🇺✨.

Since roaming fees can add up 💸, many travelers choose a local prepaid SIM card from Digicel or Flow (Telbo/Chippie), available in Kralendijk with an unlocked phone 📲. Visitors can also purchase a travel eSIM before arrival—popular options include Digicel Tourist eSIM and global providers like Holafly—which allow you to activate data instantly and often keep your regular number active 🌍💬. Using a local SIM or eSIM is an easy and affordable way to stay connected while enjoying island life 💖🌊

🌴🌊 While Bonaire isn’t ideal for traditional island hopping, it’s perfectly located for exploring nearby Dutch Caribbean islands ✨🏝️. Travelers can take short regional flights ✈️ to Curaçao and Aruba for easy day trips or overnight stays, and private charters and boat tours make it possible to enjoy surrounding waters and hidden coves 🚤🌊.

💵🌴 Tipping in Bonaire is appreciated but not always mandatory. Many restaurants add a 10–15% service charge to the bill, so it’s a good idea to check first—leaving a little extra is optional for exceptional service 🍽️✨. For tour guides, dive instructors, drivers, and boat crews, a tip of 10–20% is customary if you enjoyed the experience 🤿🚐🌊. Hotel porters typically receive $1–2 USD per bag, and housekeeping tips of $2–5 USD per day are appreciated 🏨💖. U.S. dollars are widely accepted on the island, and tipping is always a thoughtful way to say thank you for warm Bonaire hospitality 😊🏝️✨

🎉 Annual Events & Festivals in Bonaire 🇧🇶🏝️

🎭 Bonaire Carnival — February–March
🎶 Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) — April
🎉 King’s Day (Koningsdag) — April 27
🌊 Bonaire Dive Week — May
🎨 Art & Culture Festivals — Spring–Summer (varies)
🎆 Simadan Harvest Festival — September–October
🎄 Christmas & New Year Celebrations — December

From colorful Carnival parades and cultural celebrations to music, food, and diving events, Bonaire offers fun and festive experiences throughout the year 🌺🎶✨

🌍⏰ Bonaire is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) zone and does not observe Daylight Saving Time. For most travelers from the U.S. East Coast, there’s little to no time difference for part of the year, making jet lag minimal ✨🛫.

To adjust smoothly, try shifting your sleep schedule a day or two before travel 🛌, stay hydrated during your flight 💧, get plenty of sunlight on arrival 🌞, and aim to stay awake until local bedtime. Short naps are fine, but keeping them under 30 minutes can help you adjust faster so you can enjoy island time right away 🌊🏝️💖

Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest risk typically from August to October. St. Kitts & Nevis sits on the edge of the hurricane belt and is less frequently impacted than many Caribbean islands, but travelers should still stay informed during these months. The best time to avoid hurricanes is December through May, when weather is sunny, dry, and ideal for cruises, beach days, and island adventures. 🌞🌊

Bonaire is full of incredible wildlife both on land and in the sea 🌊🌺. Visitors often spot bright pink flamingos in the salt flats 🦩, friendly donkeys roaming the island, and colorful birds and butterflies in natural areas 🌿🦋.

Offshore, Bonaire’s protected waters are home to sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, and vibrant coral reefs 🤿🐠🐢—making it one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in the Caribbean. Dolphins and occasional whale sightings may also be spotted offshore during certain seasons 🐬🐋✨.

Bonaire serves up delicious island flavors with Dutch, Caribbean, and Latin influences 😋🌊. Don’t miss keshi yena (stuffed baked cheese), fresh grilled fish like wahoo and snapper 🐟🔥, hearty seafood stews, and crispy pastechi (savory pastries) 🥟✨.

Local favorites often include rice, plantains, beans, and fresh vegetables 🌽🍌🥗, while desserts feature coconut, banana, and tropical fruits 🍰🥥🍌.

Wash it all down with fresh juices, local beers, or a rum cocktail 🍹🌞—simple, flavorful, and authentically Bonaire 🏝️💖

🔌⚡ Bonaire uses Type A and Type B power outlets (the same as the United States and Canada) with 127 volts / 50 Hz electricity 🇺🇸🇨🇦✨.

This means travelers from the U.S. and Canada usually do NOT need a plug adapter or voltage converter—most devices will work just fine 🔋📱💻.

Many modern electronics like phones, laptops, and cameras are dual-voltage (look for 100–240V on your charger), making it easy to stay powered up and connected during your island getaway 🏝️💖🌊

🏥🌴 Bonaire offers reliable medical care for visitors, with the main hospital being Fundashon Mariadal in Kralendijk for emergency and routine treatment 🚑✨.

Pharmacies are easy to find in town and resort areas, including Botika Bon Bida, which carries common prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, sunscreen, and first-aid items 💊☀️🩹. Travelers should bring essential prescriptions with them and consider travel insurance for extra peace of mind while enjoying the island 🏝️💖🌊