Airport
Flamingo Airport has a runway of almost 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length, long enough to accommodate 747 Jumbo Jets. The airport's designation is BON.

ATM / Banks
Bonaire has a number of banks, all of which have ATMs located conveniently around the island. Banking hours are Monday through Friday 8 to 4pm.

Currency
The Netherlands Antilles Guilder (NAFl.) is fixed at the exchange rate of 1.77 to the dollar for cash and 1.78 for traveler's cheques. Most stores and businesses exchange it at 1.75. You can spend dollars everywhere, but will likely receive your change in guilders. Traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted. Be sure to have your passport or positive ID when changing Traveler's cheques at banks.

Climate/wheater
The average air temperature is 82º Fahrenheit (30ºC) and 75% relative humidity. Average water temperature is 80ºF (29ºC). Rainfall averages 22" (52.8cm) per year. There is a constant trade wind that generally makes the evenings cool and 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 US$32.- per person, payable upon departure. This is usually not included in your airline ticket but some tour companies may include it. Domestic departure tax is $6.- per person.

Dress Code
Casual (but no beach wear) downtown. Evening clothes are casual to casual nice.

Drinking Age, Casino/Gambling and DRUG Laws
The legal drinking age on Bonaire is 18 for both beer and other alcohol. The legal age for gambling in a casino is 21.
The Netherlands Antilles has its own drug laws which are not the same as in Holland. Our drug laws are not lenient.

Drinking water
The water is distilled from seawater and is perfectly safe to drink.

Driving License
Foreign and international licenses are accepted.

Electricity
127 volt, 50 cycle. 220 volt is also available at some resorts. Most U.S. appliances will work, however a bit hotter. Dive shops and resorts have stations for guest use for charging camera batteries, etc. It is recommended that you use them to avoid damage to delicate equipment.

Emergencies
Bonaire has a 60-bed hospital "Hospital San Fransisco"(at 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 is 191.

Entry Requirements
US and Canadian citizens must have a valid Passport and a return or ongoing ticket. A Birth Certificate with a picture ID is also acceptable. 

Internet Access
E-mail access is available through local providers. Most resorts offer (free) wireless internet service.

Languages
Papiamentsu (local language), Dutch, English and Spanish.

Store Hours
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. The larger supermarkets are open from 8 AM until 8 PM (may close during lunch) and some may be open on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Taxes, Tipping and Service Charges
There is a 5% tax on virtually all goods and services (NAOB tax). A room tax of US$ 5.50-$6.50 is also charged per person per day. A departure tax of US$36.- is levied for international destinations, US$5.75 for other Antillean islands except Aruba. Car rental tax is US$3.50 per day.
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 apppreciated. In dive shops, etc. 10% is also the norm.

Taxi
Taxis are available at the airport. From other locations you may call the taxi stand at the airport at Tel. 8100.

Telephone
Direct dialing is possible from most resorts. AT&T, MCI, etc. can also be accessed. The local telephone office, TELBO can also place calls to all locations.

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 the US and Europe.

Tourism Seasons
High Season Winter/Spring: Dec. 16 - Apr. 15
Low Season Summer/Fall: Apr. 16 - Dec. 15
Windy Season: May - Aug, moderate wind Jan-Apr
Rainy Season: Nov. - Jan.

Vaccinations
No vaccinations or preventative medications are recommended for travel to Bonaire. Yellow fever and Malaria are not a problem here. The Center for Disease Control in the the US offers updates and advisories for travellers.