Bonaire is an island in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea that is a constituent part of the ABC islands located near the coast of Venezuela.
The mixture of cultures can be seen on the faces of the inhabitants as well as in their culture and traditions that you for sure will experience while traveling.
The culture and traditions of Bonaire are rooted in the religious and holiday celebrations inherited from their diverse inhabitants that have populated their area.
Warnings & Dangers in Bonaire
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Even if it is claimed to be a medium level risk level or even in recent years low, it is advisable to take all the precautions measures in order to avoid unpleasant events.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Taxi companies are regulated by the government, but still, it is believed that they can benefit from tourists, so take a close look at the prices. Buses are considered to be as well in recent years as safe transportation.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpockets are often met here as it is everywhere in the world, this is why it is advisable to not look very expensive and carry all your expensive goods with you.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The hurricane season on the island typically runs from June to November on the Dutch Carrabian and it is recommended in that period to keep a close look at the updates made by National Hurricane Center as well as follow the advice of the public authorities.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Cases of violence have been rarely registered and are mostly ones that involve locals and very rarely tourists, but this is not a sign that you should be fearless.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even though there are no historical data of any such cases occurring on the island, there is always a chance this is why you should be prepared and read all the articles regarding the protection in such emergency cases.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Scams cases are met nowadays more often as well on Bonaire, but these can be easily avoided through using common sense as well as trying to avoid to be easily manipulated.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
It is always advisable for a woman not to travel alone, but if this is happening then select wisely your accommodation and do not travel alone in high-risk places.
So... How Safe Is Bonaire Really?
Even if it is claimed that Bonaire to be a safe place for tourists from a lot of perspectives, you should be very attentive and take all the precaution measures in order to avoid the possible unpleasant cases.
One piece of advice would be to never leave your belongings on the beach unattended and try to look expensive as even if it is considered to be a safe place with rare cases of crimes and violence, theft is considered to be a real possibility here on the island.
As there are a lot of popular touristic destinations petty crimes occur often there and as another piece of advice would be to avoid large group manifestations in those places.
Another piece of advice will be to follow all the state-owned web pages in order for you to get always updated and informed regarding the natural disasters that can occur and all security measures that should be taken.
As in a well-functioning state, all the disasters can be overcome if you will strictly follow the indications of the public authorities in case of emergency.
Take into consideration all the above-mentioned points and you will be more than safe while enjoying your vacation.
How Does Bonaire Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bonaire | 80 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Japan | 83 |
| Ghana | 73 |
| Australia | 86 |
| Slovakia | 80 |
| Greece | 73 |
| Norway | 85 |
Useful Information
Visas
There are no visa requirements for British citizens who are not planning to stay for more than 3 months, but if not the case check on the national website the detailed information regarding this.
Currency
Since January 2011 the US dollar is considered to be the national currency.
Weather
The climate of Bonaire os tropical which means that it is hot and sunny all over the year.
Airports
Flamingo International Airport is an international airport of the Bonaire that operates a wide range of international flights.
Travel Insurance
As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination Bonaire is not an exception, this is why it is recommended to check out the information on the national websites 8 weeks before departure in order for you to meet all requirements.
Bonaire Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 |
| Low °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
| High °F | 84 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 86 | 84 |
| Low °F | 73 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 73 |
Dress down!
The best advice I can give to anyone who wants to travel here is the blend in as much as possible. You do not want to stick out like a sore thumb, you will end up being a target for criminals. Dress casual and cheap. Don’t flaunt expensive bags, clothing, or accessories. Leave those at the hotel in a lockbox unless you are going out to eat. Don’t do to the beach with anything valuable and you should be fine.
Wear your sunscreen
If you come from the Midwest of USA, you would want to enjoy the sailing cruise they offer here in Bonaire. We really took advantage of this opportunity and my oh my we truly enjoyed it. A lot of caves to explore too, which my nephews and nieces were thrilled to do. Do wear your sunscreen though, take care of your skin!