Capital: Kralendijk
Population: 12,000
Island Size:
115 square miles (288 km2)

Time: Same time as New York. Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -4 hours.

Climate: Constant Breeze. Average yearly temp. is 83° F. (28° C.) Temp. varies 6° between winter and summer. Water temp. is 80° F. (26° C.) Average rainfall is 21 inches (53 cm) Expect occasional showers from October to December.

Official Language: Dutch and Papiamentu. English and Spanish are widely spoken

Currency: Netherland Antilles guilder. U.S. dollars widely accepted.
Currency converter

Electric Current:
Both 110 and 220, Volts, 50 Hz are available. Europeans: bring an adapter!

Medical Facilities:
St. Francis Hospital
in Kralendijk. Decompression chamber available.

Tipping and Taxes: There is a Sales tax of 5% on everything you buy and a government room tax of $6.50 per person, per day. Restaurant tabs should be tipped 10-15%, if it is not already added.

Internet cafes: Bonaire has several high speed internet cafes. Some allow private (wireless) laptops.

Int. airport: Flamingo airport (BON) is 2,5 miles (4 km) south east of Villa Oud Lagoen. Departure tax: $ 5,75,- for inter-island flights and $20 for international flights

Dress Code: Casual; Swimsuits not appreciated in super-markets. No topless or nude sunbathing on public beaches.

Phone: Country code is 5997. From the U.S. dial 011-5997 plus the local number, from Europe dial 00-5997 plus the local number.