A collection of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Banks:
RBC Bank, Antilles Banking Corporation Bonaire, Banco de Caribe and Maduro & Curiel's Bank. Banking hours are Monday through Friday from 8 or 8:30 AM to 3:30 or 4:00 PM.

Currency/Money:
U.S. currency, Travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere. The local currency is the US Dollar. Other currencies including Canadian Dollars, the Euro, English Pound Sterling, French Francs, Venezuelan Bolivars and Aruba and Curacao Florin can also be exchanged.

Drinking Water:
Bonaire's seawater is distilled and purified to become one of the purest drinking waters in the world. Imported water is available however not really necessary.

Electricity:
127/120 volts, 50AC. Converters are available in the hotels. Most U.S. appliances will work on Bonaire, though slowly. Many dive shops have adapters for charging lights, strobes or delicate equipment.

Medical Facilities:
San Francisco Hospital has 60 beds and is fully equipped to respond to any emergency. Bonaire has its own recompression chamber, with trained medical personnel, on call 24 hours a day. There are extensive medical facilities available as well as air ambulances.

Passports & Immigration:
U.S. and Canadian citizens as well as all countries must have a valid passport. A return or continuing ticket is also required along with sufficient means to support yourself during your stay. Maximum stay is 90 days. All others refer to the Embassy.

Personal Safety:
Bonaire has a reputation for being one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, but exercise normal precautions; i.e. don't leave valuables laying unattended in hotel rooms (use the hotels' safes) or in rental cars or on the beach.

Population:
15,500

Shopping Hours:
Monday through Saturday 8:00am to noon and 2:00pm-6:00pm.

Taxes:
There is a hotel tax of US$5.50 to $6.50 per person per night. Car rentals are taxed at US$3.25 per day. There is also a 6% tax on car rentals, meals, services and general purchases.

Telephones:
Calling the U.S. is easy from Bonaire. Most hotels offer USA Direct calling service, or can connect you with a U.S. operator for calling home. Local numbers can be reached by dialing the 717 plus the 4 digit number.

Television:
Most hotels have  cable channels, with CNN, ESPN, Disney, NBC, CBS, Fox, etc., premium movie channels and local stations. Bonaire has NTSC system.

Time Zone:
Atlantic Standard Time (AST), one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time.

Tipping/Gratuities:
Same as in the US -- 10-15% depending on the service. Some restaurants will automatically add the gratuity. If in doubt, just ask. Give porters and bellhops 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers 10% of the fare.