Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

Before you go, contact the Bonaire Government Tourist Office at Adams Unlimited, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 900, New York, NY 10020 (tel. 800/BONAIRE in the U.S., or 212/956-5912) or www.infobonaire.com for information.

On the island, the Bonaire Government Tourist Bureau, Kaya Grandid 2 (tel. 599/717-8322) is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to noon and 1:30 to 5pm.

Getting There

American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S. and Canada; www.aa.com) offers three round-trip flights per week between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Bonaire. In addition to that, it provides one-stop service to Bonaire from many U.S. gateway cities such as New York.

An airline based in Bonaire, BonairExpress (tel. 599/717-3471) has12 flights per day between Bonaire and Curaçao and six flights per day between Bonaire and Aruba. On these flights, BonairExpress uses 46-seat ATR42 turboprop planes.

Air Jamaica (tel. 800/523-5585 in the U.S. and Canada; www.airjamaica.com) flies to Bonaire on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from its hub in Montego Bay. Air Jamaica also operates nonstop flights to Bonaire from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, and Philadelphia via its Montego Bay hub. Additionally, the airline's code share agreement with Delta Air Lines, and its joint fare arrangements and compatible schedules with United Air Lines and other U.S. carriers, extends its access to more than 150 cities within the continental U.S.

Getting Around

Even though most of the island is flat and renting a moped or motor scooter is fun, be prepared for some unpaved, pitted, and rocky roads.

By Rental Car -- Consider renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle, especially from October to January, when it can be muddy.

Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 in the U.S. and Canada; www.avis.com) is at Flamingo Airport. Weekly arrangements are cheaper, but daily rates range from US$40 to US$50 (£21-£26), with unlimited mileage. Also at the airport, Total Car Rental (tel. 599/717-7424; www.totalcarrentalbonaire.com) rents such vehicles as cars and pickup trucks. Some automatic, air-conditioned four-door sedans are available. Island Car Rentals, Flamingo Airport #12 (tel. 599/717-2100; www.islandcarrentalbonaire.com), rents soft-top jeeps for US$40 (£21) a day. It pays to shop around: Sometimes -- but not always -- you can make a better deal with a local agency.

Your valid U.S., British (you must have had it for 2 years), or Canadian driver's license is acceptable for driving on Bonaire. Drive on the right on Bonaire.

By Taxi -- Taxis are unmetered, but the government has established rates. All taxis carry a license plate with the letters TX. Each driver must produce a price list upon request. As many as four passengers can go along for the ride, unless there's too much luggage. A trip from the airport to your hotel should cost about US$8 to US$25 (£4.15-£13). From 7pm to midnight, fares are increased by 20%; from midnight to 7am, they go up by 50%.

Most taxi drivers can take you on a tour of the island, but you'll have to negotiate a price according to how long a trip you want and what you want to see. For more information, call Taxi Central Dispatch (tel. 599/717-8100).

By Bicycle -- If you're in good shape, you might consider renting a bike, although you'll have to contend with the hot sun and powerful trade winds. Nevertheless, much of the island is flat, and if you follow the main road, you'll go along the water's edge. The best deals are at Cycle Bonaire, Kaya L. D. Gerjharts (tel. 599/717-7558), where you can rent a 21-speed 830 Trek for US$15 to US$20 (£7.80-£10) per day. Rental includes a water bottle, lock, helmet, repair kit, and first-aid kits. A map is provided for free.