About BonaireHere is some information you should know about Bonaire. Why? Because when ever your traveling to another country it's good to understand a few things about the place you'll be visiting. You should know about the currency and the languages that are used in your vacation place...in this case, Bonaire. Knowing what to expect in terms of culture, currency and the languages used in Bonaire make your visit a little more enjoyable. Knowing about the currency and the languages are a key to easy, fun-filled travel with as few bumps in the trip is to be as prepared and knowledgeable as possible about where you are going.
Take a look at downtown Kralendijk. Bonaire is as pretty above the water as it is underneath it. Well, almost. Did you know that in Bonaire, the national languages are Dutch and a form of Creole called Papiamentu. I didn't know that either, until I came here and found out for myself. No worries though. English and Spanish are usually spoken where ever you go.
Just like the currency we use here in the U.S. the money in Bonaire is organized by the multiple values of the coins and notes (paper money).
As far as the paper money, or notes, they are valued at 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 250 guilders.
The exchange rate between the Netherlands Antilles Guilder (ANG) and the US Dollar (USD) is 1 ANG to .562 USD. So, $1 USD in Bonaire would be 1.78 guilders ANG. At least that's the exchange rate right now. It can change, so make sure to double check before you leave.
Sailing on a boat is just one of the many things to do on Bonaire. When you go shopping there is a five percent tax on just about everything in Bonaire. Just like at home if you need cash you can use just about any ATM machine or bank in Bonaire; however, most stores and restaurants use credit cards and traveler’s checks.
Some restaurants may add the gratuity to the bill, so make sure you check your bill. If they did not add the tip into your bill just add 10-15% of the total bill. Lots of businesses here usually will accept American currency, but always make sure to check before you buy.
For a bellhop or porter at the airport, typically one guilder is appropriate per bag. Unlike in the US, with a valet attendant tipping is optional. So your valet attendant is happy to receive any tip at all. While your in Bonaire you should try to listen to the different languages of the people and see if you can figure out where they are originally from. Meet the residents of the island and let them tell you about Bonaire. It will make for some interesting stories, and you may learn about some new places to visit on the island.
Papiamentu is a charming and lyrical language. Here is your first lesson... Bon Bini means Welcome! You can learn more about Bonaire by talking to the people who live there than you can by reading any travel guide. Meet the residents of the island and let them tell you about Bonaire. They can give you the best tips about places to visit on the island. You can learn about the history of the island and the origins of its people too. There are some colorful story tellers here so make sure to chat it up with the locals.
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