When planning your visit to Bonaire, it’s important to note that all travellers are required to pay a tourist entry tax of USD$75 per person, per visit. This fee and the funds it raises allow the island and its residents to invest in initiatives to support local education, infrastructure, tourism, development, and sustainability throughout the municipality.
No entry visa is needed for the majority of countries – just a passport that still has at least six months left on its expiry date. Most travellers will arrive via BON, also known as Flamingo Airport, which – as insinuated by its name – is pink, petite, and surrounded in droves by the long-legged birds.
Once you arrive at the airport, getting to the city centre of Kralendijk is a breeze. With plenty of taxis at the ready, it is only a 10-minute drive to the heart of the island’s cultural hub. It is highly recommended to rent a car whilst travelling around the island, as public transportation is minimal and does not extend to some of the more remote places many yearn to visit. Specifically, as the best adventures and views lie off the beaten path, hiring a 4×4, jeep, or SUV is your best option for reliable transportation.
With endless sunshine year-round and no major storms due to the island residing just outside the hurricane belt, there is no right or wrong time to visit Bonaire. Regardless of the season, you can roll out of bed and head straight to the beach for a day out.
Typical peak season is between December and March, as this is when snowbirds flock to the island to escape the colder temperatures up north. So, if you’re looking for a quieter time of year to visit, April to October would be the most ideal.
