travel to Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba

The small island of Bonaire is located in the Caribbean Sea, just east of Central America and north of Venezuela. It is an overseas territory belonging to the Netherlands, being therefore considered as one more municipality in that country. The climate is temperate and humid, and whose temperatures are constant throughout the year, being about 82ºF.

Bonaire is undoubtedly an idyllic place to enjoy the tranquillity offered by its beaches. The characteristic of this wonderful island is that it does not fit the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the tourist who visits this country will not experience more than recreational activities that he plans to do during his stay. Water sports lovers should know that they will have carte blanche for activities such as diving, windsurfing, kite surfing and snorkelling. We must remark that Bonaire is well known for being the main tourist destination of Caribbean shore diving.

The government is aware that the preservation of its natural environment is key to its tourism development. Therefore, administrations work day after day to care for their natural resources such as coral reefs, a good undoubtedly very precious Bonaire. It is also home to many species of animals, with iguanas, donkeys and flamingos standing out, the latter being recognized as a national symbol and being spotted on Gotomeer Lake and Pekelmeer.

Much of the flora and fauna can be seen in the Washington Slagbaai National Park and also climb the highest peak of the island, the Brandaris. Another attraction demanded by tourists is the Bonaire Marine National Park, a marine reserve whose depth of almost 60 meters and its more than 90 classified areas make it an essential attraction for divers. The Klein Bonaire island is an uninhabited place perfect for walking and cooling off on the shore and where you can go on excursions to see the coral reefs.

Culturally, the town of Bonaire is made up of diverse cultures from Africa, Europe, America and even Asia. Its capital is Kralendijk, which means "reef" in Dutch. It is a city where colour and sea are the main protagonists.

The island of Saint Eustatius is part of the archipelago of the Barlovento Islands which make up the Lesser Antilles, being the capital Oranjestad. Its centre is crowned by the Quill volcano or also called Mozinga Mountain with a height of 601 meters.

Currently, its economic development is based mainly on the tourism sector, thus promoting diving and ecotourism activities in the region. This is due to its pristine beaches and its mountainous and leafy landscape, which makes it an exotic place for tourists who want to enjoy Caribbean nature in all its splendour.

The island of Saba is the smallest municipality in the Netherlands, in the Caribbean Sea and southeast of Puerto Rico. It is commonly known as the "Virgin Queen of the Caribbean" because biodiversity is preserved intact from the hand of the human being. In its centre highlights Mount Scenery, the highest inactive volcano in the Netherlands. In its tropical landscape the leafy jungle predominates, where numerous species cohabit in harmony with the island's natives. The Saba Marine National Park is a marine natural space which covers the waters around the island (43 hectares) and where divers can explore the prized coral reefs of the island always with the prior authorization of the administration.

The capital is The Bottom, besides highlighting other urban centres such as Windwardside, Hell's Gate and Saint Johns. It is an island whose population does not exceed 2,000 inhabitants, which is why it is a favourite holiday destination to enjoy the tranquillity of the island. The official languages of Saba are Dutch and English, with Spanish and Papiamento being minority languages compared to other islands in the Netherlands Antilles.

It is very common for tourists who come from all over the world to go hiking throughout the island, as their roads can see a well-maintained ecosystem that surrounds the small villages. The road known as "The Road" is the only road system that communicates with all populations. In addition, the people who live Saba are known for their kindness and hospitality with visitors.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To visit the Caribbean islands belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands you will need a visa according to your country of origin. You will not need a visa if you are simply in transit or are a passenger on a cruise.

Require a visa or you must not present your valid passport during your stay and your return ticket, either to your country of origin or to a third party. The maximum stay is 30 days, and can be extended to 90 days.

To see if you need a visa to enter any island, go to the following link: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/caribbean-visas/do-i-need-a-visa-for-the-caribbean -parts-of-the-kingdom

EMBASSIES & CONSULATES: https://www.embassypages.com/bonaire

PRINCIPAL AIRPORTS

• Bonaire: Flamingo International Airport, in Kralendijk (Codex BON)
• Saint Eustatius: F.D. Roosevelt Airport, in Oranjestad (Codex EUX)
• Saba: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, in The Bottom (Codex SAB)

SECURITY

The security in the islands is quite remarkable, although it is always advisable to be cautious about their personal belongings and money, especially in public.

It is recommended that you make photocopies of your passport and identity document and keep the original documents inside the hotel safe.

HEALTH

They may require the certificate of vaccination against yellow fever to citizens from endemic countries. Check with the health authorities of your country.

The tap water in Bonaire is potable. On Eustace Island, be sure to boil the water before consuming it.

CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURES

Temperatures on the islands are usually around 80ºF throughout the year. It is generally good during the day, although temperatures drop at night and it is advisable to wear a warm jacket.

BUSINESS HOURS

The shops usually open from 9:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Saturday. Businesses like supermarkets remain open until 8:00 PM, including Sundays and holidays. The banking entities have a schedule from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

TIPS

Normally, restaurants include the amount of the tip is the bill, but the customer can pay an additional percentage if desired.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical voltage ranges from 127 to 220 volts in Bonaire and from 110 to 220 volts in Saba and Saint Eustatius. The frequency is 50 Hz in Bonaire and 60 Hz in Saint Eustatius and Saba.

The types of plugs that are used are the following: type A and B in Bonaire and Saba; and type A, B and F in Saint Eustatius.

TELEPHONES OF INTEREST

The telephone prefixes are: Bonaire +599 7; Saint Eustatius +599 3; Saba +599 4.

The emergency numbers are: police (911); firefighters (912); ambulance and hospital (913).

TIME ZONE

UTC-4.