Language
Overview
The official language is Dutch. Papiamento (mixture of Portuguese, African, Spanish, Dutch and English) is colloquial. English and Spanish are widely spoken.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
02/28/2022 Shrove Monday
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/17/2022 Easter Sunday
04/18/2022 easter monday
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/26/2022 Ascension of Christ
06/05/2022 Pentecost
06.09.2022 Bonaire flag day
12/15/2022 Kingdom Day
12/25/2022 Christmas
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Bonaire duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 150 g of tobacco. (Only persons aged 17 and over) Either 1 liter of spirits or liqueur with an alcohol content of more than 22% vol. or 1 liter of spirits or liqueur or sparkling wine or fortified wine with an alcohol content of max. 22%. and 2 liters of still wines and 8 liters of beer. (Persons 18 and older only) Personal effects and gifts up to a value of US$500 (persons under 15: US$150). If more than the specified quantity is imported, the entire quantity will be declared.
Prohibited Imports
Leather goods from Haiti should not be imported. More information is available from the Customs Office of the Caribbean Netherlands.
Contact addresses
annotation
Bonaire is represented in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by the Dutch embassies (see Netherlands ).
Business
Business etiquette
Punctuality and prior appointments are important. Dutch and English are business languages. Business hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00.
Business contacts
Bonaire Chamber of Commerce and Industry 23 Kaya Amsterdam, Kralendijk, Bonaire Tel. +599 (0)717 55 95. Website: bonairechamber.com
Communication
Phone
The country code of Bonaire is 00599.
Mobile phone
GSM 900 / 1800, 1900, 3G and 4G. Mobile phone provider is among others Digicel. There are roaming contracts, but it may still be worth purchasing a prepaid SIM card.
Internet
Internet cafes no longer exist on Bonaire. Numerous hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants often offer their customers free WiFi. WLAN is available between Flamingo Airport in the south of the island and Playa Lechi.
Post office
Post to Europe takes 4-6 days.
