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Visitor
Information and Tips
Transportation
Bonaire has no public transportation. You'll have to choose
between taxis, a rental car, moped or bicycle to get around
the island. Main roads are paved. Most of Bonaire's unpaved
roads are decent, but some areas, including Washington/Slagbaai
Park, become impassable after rain. Local driving habits
are casual: Occasionally two drivers, traveling in opposite
directions, stop to have a "Bonaire meeting."
You may also find that the roads are sometimes blocked
by goats or donkeys.
Auto rental agencies are easy to find. US, Canadian, and
European driver licenses are valid for use on the island.
Be careful of the goats, donkeys and pedestrians that
roam the island's roads. All traffic keeps to the right,
and international highway signs are used. Speed limit
is 40 km per hour (25 mph) in town and 60 km to 80 km
per hour (38-50 mph) in the countryside.
Banking
There are several banks downtown, all of which have ATMs.
Walk-up hours are generally Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4 pm.
Most banks remain open during lunch.
Telephones
Phone service on the island is generally good. International
calls, faxes, telegrams, telexes and other overseas communications
services are available (at considerably less expensive
rates than resorts charge) at TELBO, Kaya Simon Bolivar
8. Phone 599-717-7000.
Time Zone
4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT). Daylight
Saving Time is not observed.
Tipping
Tip 15% in restaurants if a service charge hasn't already
been included in the bill. If a gratuity has been added,
it's customary to leave another 5% or so for your waitperson
if the service is good. Tip cabdrivers 10% and bellhops
US$1 per bag. If you go diving, tip the dive shop about
10%.
Electricity
127 volts (with surges up to 140 volts), 50 cycles. Some
quick chargers and old-style hairdryers overheat, although
newer 50/60 appliances pose no problems.
What to Wear
Bonaire is generally an informal island. Still, courteous
visitors wear at least shorts, a shirt and sandals everywhere
except on beaches and at poolside.
Shopping
Duty-free items (especially watches), T-shirts, jewelry,
local art and handicrafts are about all there is to buy
on Bonaire. Of these, the art may be the best choice:
In recent years, Bonaire artists have been busy creating
distinctive works.
Most of the good shopping is on Kaya Grandi in Kralendijk.
Besides the usual trinket marts, there are several shops
carrying authentic local art. Check out the flamingo memorabilia,
painted driftwood and handmade jewelry at Jenny's Souvenirs
and Gifts, across from the post office.
Don't expect to bargain in Bonaire's shops, but feel free
to do so with the Venezuelan fruit vendors in the market
(you'll do better there if you speak Spanish). Most stores
accept and list prices in U.S. currency. Prices are in
guilders if the number is preceded by "fl,"
in U.S. dollars if preceded by "$."
Restaurants
Bonaire is experiencing lots of growth, so new restaurants
open frequently -- and not all stay in business. If you
stroll along Kaya Grandi, Kaya J. N. E. Craane (the waterfront
road north of the piers) and Kaya L. D. Gerharts, you'll
pass many eateries serving Caribbean, Dutch, Indonesian
and U.S. foods. All are informal. Even the more upscale
restaurants are fairly casual on Bonaire: Coats and ties
are seldom worn -- usually just for weddings and funerals.
On the menus, you'll find mostly fish and some vegetables
and fruits -- most of it excellent and well seasoned.
Be sure to ask about the local fare: soups and stews made
with salted meat, goat, conch, plantains, okra, cactus
or the occasional iguana. (Many restaurants serve local
dishes, but they don't necessarily list them on their
menus.) Everyone should try a rijsttafel: A kind of Indonesian
buffet, it consists of rice accompanied by 6-20 small
meat, vegetable and fish side dishes. Dutch cheeses, chocolate
and coffee are also good, and Dutch beer is widely available.
Bonaire Tourism Offices
Bonaire
Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Kaya Grandi #2
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles
Tel: (599 717)-8322 or 8649
Fax: (599 717)-8408
email: info@TourismBonaire.com
Canada
Bonaire Government Tourist Office
Telephone: 1-800-826-6247 toll-free in Canada
Netherlands
Bonaire Tourist Office Europe
Basic Communicaie B.V.
Mariettahof 25-29
P.O. Box 472
NL-2000 AL Haarlem
Email: europe@tourismbonaire.com
South America
Flamingo Representaciones
Avenida Humboldt
Edificio Humboldt, Piso 1 Apt. 5
urb Bello Monte
Caracas, Venezuela
Tel: 58-212-953-4653
Fax: 58-212-951-1625
Email: southamerica@tourismbonaire.com
Contact: Yasmin Perez de Ramirez
USA
Bonaire Government Tourist Office
Adams Unlimited
10 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 900
New York NY 10020
Telephone: 800-BONAIRE toll-free in USA and Canada
Telephone: +1 212 956 5912
Fax: +1 212 956 5913
Email: usa@tourismbonaire.com
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