Essentials
- City
- Lac Bay, Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean)
- Population
- Approximately 20,104 (Bonaire total; Lac Bay is a nature reserve area)
- Internet Speed
- 30-100 Mbps via Telbo or Digicel (Fiber is expanding)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar ($). 1 USD = 1 USD (official currency since 2011)
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (produced by desalination, very high quality)
- Power
- 127V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US-style outlets)
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow (approx. $25 for 5GB data pack)
- Banking for Expats
- MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank), Orco Bank; Revolut/Wise ATMs work
- Accommodation
- Waterfront resorts like Sorobon Beach Resort and Boutique hotels ($150-$400/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major cards accepted widely in resorts and Kralendijk
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or Sunwise Bonaire ($1,200-$3,500/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Bonaire Backpackers in Kralendijk (approx. $45/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Sorobon Beach (direct access to windsurfing lagoon)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kralendijk (Capital) or Belnem (15 mins drive for better amenities)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Bondigital (Kralendijk) - $25/day for high-speed fiber
- Best Cafe for Work
- Hang Out Beachbar (Lac Bay) - casual vibe; Between 2 Buns (Kralendijk) - AC and reliable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Bonaire Business Center meetups; Windsurfing events at Sorobon
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Bonaire Facebook Group; Friday night mixers at Jibe City
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use Taxi Bonaire WhatsApp +599 780 7777
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bonaire Rent a Car or Scooters Bonaire ($20-$35/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sorobon Beach (located within Lac Bay, world-class windsurfing)
- Top Regional Airline
- Divi Divi Air (flights to Curacao/Aruba)
- Top International Airline
- KLM (direct from Amsterdam), Delta/United/American (from USA)
- Highway Access
- Kaminda Sorobon connects Lac Bay to the main island circuit
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None (No trains on island). Main hub is Flamingo International Airport (BON)
- Public Transport Passes
- No public bus system; car/scooter rental is essential
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island flights (Divi Divi) or cargo ferries for vehicles
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Fundashon Mariadal (Kralendijk) - Modern facility with air ambulance
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Smiling Buddha Yoga (Sorobon) - $20/class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Bon Bida Spa & Gym (Kralendijk) - Modern equipment and AC
- Laundry Services
- Lachman's Laundry in Kralendijk
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Dinner in a Box (Bonaire's local delivery service)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kabritu Stoba (Goat Stew) or fresh grilled Lionfish
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pura Vista (Healthy bowls), Mezze (Middle Eastern in Kralendijk)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Luciano’s Bonaire (Italian gelato in the harbor)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Warehouse Bonaire (Bulk items) or Van den Tweel (Albert Heijn products)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Bol.com (expensive shipping), local Facebook Marketplace is king
- Grocery Delivery
- Van den Tweel offers online ordering via their website
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kralendijk Waterfront and Little Havana (Live jazz/Latin)
- Local Brewery
- Bonaire Blonde (Local craft beer brewery in Kralendijk)
- Wine Bars
- Sebastian’s Restaurant (Offers extensive wine list and sunsets)
- Street Food Stalls
- Foodies (Located near Lac Bay entrance) for casual burgers/seafood
- Popular International Cuisine
- Capriccio (Authentic Italian) or It Rains Fishes (Seafood)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Slave Huts (White and Orange pan) on the south coast
- Museums & Art Venues
- Terramar Museum (Caribbean history in Kralendijk)
- Historical Sites
- Fort Oranje (Built in 1639)
- Religious Sites
- San Bernardo Church (Beautiful yellow Caribbean architecture)
- Annual Events
- Bonaire Regatta (October), Carnival (February)
- Cultural Districts
- Rincon (The oldest village with deep local history)
- Theater Venues
- Plaza Resort Bonaire often hosts local performances/shows
- Local Markets
- Saturday Market in Rincon or Waterfront craft market in Kralendijk
- Music Scene
- Live reggae at Jibe City (Sundays); Tumba music during Carnival
- Street Art
- Murals in Kralendijk depicting local marine life and history
- Cooking Classes
- Cactus Blue Bonaire (Local recipes and Lionfish preparation)
- Art Galleries
- Jan Art Gallery (Focus on Bonairean landscapes)
- Historic Buildings
- Government House (Pasanggrahan) in Kralendijk
- Local Heritage
- Papiamentu language and Simadan (Harvest festival)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lac Bay Mangroves (Guided kayak tours essential)
- National Parks Nearby
- Washington Slagbaai National Park (30 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Bonaire Blue Destination trails (marked for mountain biking)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Seru Largu (Panoramic view of the island and Klein Bonaire)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary (Strictly offshore viewing)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in National Parks; allowed in designated beach grill areas
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FXDC Post (DHL/FedEx authorized reseller)
- Tech Repair Services
- The Tech Bar (Kralendijk)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jibe City (Casual gaming area)
- Language Classes
- Language Academy Bonaire (Dutch and Papiamentu)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public Library Bonaire (Kralendijk)
- Community Centers
- Sentro di Bario areas in each district
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is done at home or private clubs
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Divi Flamingo Casino (World’s only barefoot casino)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $240,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $304,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% for many sectors (Bonaire is a 'besluit uitsluiting aftrek van kosten' jurisdiction)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (for residents of the Netherlands)
- Tax System
- BES islands tax system (special Dutch municipality/territorial basis)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30.4% (General income tax rate)
- VAT
- 6% (ABB - Algemene Bestedingsbelasting)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Subject to Dutch BES-island regulations
- Property Tax
- 0.3% (Vastgoedbelasting) on value of second homes
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% (Overdrachtsbelasting)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No VAT/Sales tax on services; moderate income tax rate for locals