[Translate to Spanish:] Banks:
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago (RBTT), Antilles Banking Corporation Bonaire, Banco de Caribe and Maduro & Curiel's Bank are here to serve you. Banking hours are Monday through Friday from 8 or 8:30 AM to 3:30 or 4:00 PM. MCB Sat. till 2 at airport.

Currency/Money:
U.S. currency, Travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere. The local currency in the Netherlands Antilles is the NA Florin or Guilder, and is pegged to the U.S. dollar at $ 1= Nafl. 1.77. Other currencies including Canadian Dollars, English Pound Sterling, Euro, Venezuelan Bolivars and Aruba 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. Bottled water is available.

Electricity:
127/120 volts, 50AC. adapter 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.

Hyperbaric/Recompression Chamber:
For  diving emergencies, Bonaire has a Hyperbaric Chamber adjacent to the San Fransisco hospital, located diagnally across from the Cultimara Supermarket entrance in town.

Internet:
The Internet is widely accessible on Bonaire.  Public internet facilities are available throughout the island.  Many accommodation providers offer internet access and wifi spots as well. 

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 a number of medical doctors on the island and air ambulance service is available.

Passports & Immigration:
Citizens from most countries do not need a visa to enter Bonaire.  U.S. and Canadian citizens need proof of citizenship, a passport or certified birth certificate with a photo I.D. are required.  All others require a valid passport. A return or continuing ticket is also required along with sufficient means to support yourself during your stay. Maximum stay: 14 days with the possibility of extending the visit to 90 days. All others refer to the Embassy. *There are new regulations taking place - Check US Department of State for more information.

For specifics contact Bonaire Immigration, US dial: 011 (599) 717-6880.

Personal Safety:
Bonaire has a reputation for being one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, however visitors should take normal precautions and keep personal property secure.  Hotels have safes, etc. to store passports, tickets, etc.

Population:
14,000 +-

Shopping Hours:
Monday through Saturday 8:00am to noon and 2:00pm-6:00pm.  Some shops stay open through lunch hour. 

Taxes:
Bonaire has a US$32 airport international departure tax, 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 5% 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.  Prepaid phone cards are widely available as are cell phone rentals.  Many US and European phones are compatible with the local providers. 

Television:
Most hotels have46 cable channels, with CNN, ESPN, Disney, NBC, CBS, ABC etc. as well as 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. For Taxi drivers 10% of the fare is the general rule. 

Visas:
Visas are required from the following:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbeidzjan, Bahrein, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroen, Cape Verdia, Central African, Rep. China (Hong Kong SAR and BNO holders excluded), Colombia, Comores, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Democrat Republic, Cote d’Iviore, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jemen, Jordania, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizia, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Libanon, Liberia, Libia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Salomon Islands, Sao Tome & Principal, Saudi-Arabia, Seychelles, Senegal, Servia & Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Soedan, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Syria, Tadzjikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand,Turkmenistan, Togo, Tonga, Tsjaad, Tunesia, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West-Samao, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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