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ABOUT BONAIRE

of the Netherlands. This means Bonaire residents have the same rights (and follow the same laws) as Dutch citizens living in continental Europe. By comparison, Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten opted to become autonomous countries within the kingdom of the Netherlands, with their own separate governments.

Bonaire today

Population

Bonaire has a population of nearly 20,000 people, which is experiencing a modest growth rate. The island’s economy is largely dependent on tourism (thanks mainly to its mild, dry climate and stunning coral reefs). As a result, residents are outnumbered by the island’s more than 350,000 annual visitors. The island’s other major economic sectors include oil transference and salt production.

The basics

The official language of Bonaire is Dutch, although residents also speak their own local language of Papiamentou, which is a mix of Dutch, Spanish, French, English and Portuguese, among others. This language is shared with the residents of nearby Curaçao and Aruba. English is widely

One of the famous yellow painted rocks that mark the dive sites of Bonaire

spoken in Bonaire, and Spanish speakers should have little trouble making themselves understood, given that Papiamentou has strong Spanish roots.

The electricity supply in Bonaire is not quite a match for either North American or European standards: 127 volts / 50 hertz. The outlets are designed for both European and U.S. standard plugs, and most appliances should work well enough. But travelers may want to purchase (or rent) converters and surge protectors while on the island to help protect their more sensitive electronics due to any differences in voltage. The internet is widely available, with a number of free Wi-Fi zones established around the island. Tap water is safe to drink and is generated through desalination – a process where the salt and minerals in seawater are filtered out, leaving clean freshwater.

Visitors

Nearly two-thirds of the island’s visitors arrive via cruise ship while the remainder primarily arrive by plane. Bonaire is also a popular destination for private yachts. Visitors originate from North America and other parts of the kingdom of the Netherlands for the most part, with the balance visiting from Latin America and Europe.

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BONAIRE

Middle terrace I

Higher terrace

Washikemba formation

Modern sea level

Lower

terrace

Diagram of the geology of Bonaire

Middle terrace II

Historic

sea level

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