Culture and Attractions
- Local Heritage
- Simadan (Harvest Festival) and traditional Kunuku lifestyle
- Must-See Landmarks
- Slave Huts (Orange/White) on the South Coast
- Museums & Art Venues
- Terramar Museum (Kaya J.N.E. Craane 6) for Caribbean history
- Historical Sites
- Fort Oranje (built 1639) overlooking the harbor
- Religious Sites
- San Bernardo Church (Bright yellow landmark)
- Annual Events
- Bonaire Regatta (October) and Rincon Day (April 30th)
- Cultural Districts
- Rincon (The oldest village, cultural heart of the island)
- Theater Venues
- Plaza Resort entertainment stage
- Local Markets
- Weekly cultural market at Mangazina di Rei
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Little Havana; Reggae at Jibe City on Sundays
- Street Art
- Mural cycle 'Street Colors Bonaire' found throughout Kaya Grandi
- Cooking Classes
- Boton di Oro (local Antillean cooking workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Bonaire Art Gallery (Kaya L.D. Gerharts)
- Historic Buildings
- Pasanggrahan (Government Guesthouse)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lac Bay (Mangroves and world-class windsurfing)
- National Parks Nearby
- Washington Slagbaai National Park (North); car entry $45
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Tourist Road' along the Northern coast (Kaya Gobernador)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Seru Largu (High hill with 'Bonaire' monument and panoramic view)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary (home to thousands of flamingos)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in Marine Park; allowed only in private designated BBQ areas
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- E-Post or DHL Express Bonaire at Kaya Industria
- Tech Repair Services
- Omni Bonaire (electronics and IT repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jong Bonaire Community Center
- Language Classes
- Unit Win Bonaire (Papiamentu and Dutch lessons)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Openbare Bibliotheek Bonaire (Kaya Gramel)
- Community Centers
- Centro di Bario Nikiboko
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly organized e-sports at youth centers
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Divi Flamingo Casino (World's first barefoot casino)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $312,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% for qualifying companies (Bonaire has no profit tax for local entities)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% (standard fixed rate)
- Tax System
- Caribbean Netherlands Tax Act (Papiamentu/Dutch specific laws)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30.4% flat rate (includes social contributions)
- VAT
- 6% ABB (General Expenditure Tax); 25% on luxury items
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following Dutch Kingdom anti-avoidance standards
- Property Tax
- 0.3% of the market value (Vastgoedbelasting) for second homes
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Transfer Tax (Overdrachtsbelasting) on real estate
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No VAT on services to overseas clients; relatively low flat-tax income brackets
Essentials
- City
- Kralendijk, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
- Population
- Approximately 3,000 in town; 20,000 on the island
- Internet Speed
- Reliable fiber optics; 50-100 Mbps common via Telbo or Digicel
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD) is the official currency; 1 USD = 0.92 EUR
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (produced via desalination)
- Power
- 127V, 50Hz; 🔌 Type A & B (North American style)
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow Bonaire; approx. $30 for 10GB data bundle
- Banking for Expats
- MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank), Orco Bank; Revolut/Wise highly used
- Accommodation
- Resorts, boutique villas, and modern apartments via Bonaire Renties
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards widely accepted; small beach bars may prefer cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Sunwise Bonaire, and VRBO; starting at $1,200/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Bonaire Backpackers (approx. $45/night) or lodge-style dive hostels
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kaya Grandi/Waterfront for dining and central access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hato or Belnem for quieter residential units with high-speed fiber
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Boundless Bonaire (Kaya Grandi area); approx. $25/day or $300/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Between 2 Buns (Hato); great AC, WiFi, and large tables
- Networking Events
- Bonaire Business Lounge sessions; monthly meetups at Sebastian's
- Social Events for Expats
- Young Professionals Bonaire Facebook group; Friday drinks at Coco Beach
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Taxicentrale Bonaire (WhatsApp-based 24/7); no Uber/Bolt available
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bonaire Rent a Car or Scooter Bonaire ($20-$35/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Te Amo Beach (near airport) or Donkey Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Divi Divi Air or EZAir (flights to Curacao/Aruba)
- Top International Airline
- KLM (direct from Amsterdam), Delta, United (from USA)
- Highway Access
- Main coastal road (Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot) connects North to South
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Flamingo International Airport (BON) is the primary hub
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal bus system; shared mini-vans (Kaya Grandi stop)
- Regional Travel
- Frequent 20-min flights to Curacao (approx. $120 round-trip)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Fundashon Mariadal (Kaya Soeur Bartola 2, Kralendijk)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Smiling Buddha Yoga Studio; approx. $15 per drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Bon Bida Spa & Gym (Hato); approx. $85 per month
- Laundry Services
- Bonaire Laundry (Kaya Industria); wash and fold approx. $2 per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Dinner in a Box Bonaire (website/app-based delivery)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kabritu Stoba (Goat Stew) or Funchi (cornmeal)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kibrahacha Vegan Coffee Shop or Smoothies at Pasa Bon Pizza
- Best Dessert Spots
- Luciano's Bonaire (Kaya Grandi); famous for Italian gelato
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Warehouse Bonaire (bulk shopping) or Zhung Kong Supermarket
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Bol.com (via forwarders) or Caribbean Goods
- Grocery Delivery
- Van den Tweel Supermarket (Albert Heijn partner) via delivery apps
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kaya Isla Riba (Little Havana Bar) and Karels Beach Bar
- Local Brewery
- Bonaire Island Brewery (The Brewery) at Kaya J.N.E. Craane
- Wine Bars
- Oscar Lighthouse or Ingridiënts at Buddy Dive
- Street Food Stalls
- Stoked Food Truck (Belnem) or Cactus Blue (on the coast for burgers)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Capriccio (Italian) or Mezze (Middle Eastern)