Bonaire - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 207

LANGUAGE: The official language is Dutch, but locals speak
Papiamentu (spelled Papiamento on Aruba and Curaçao). Many residents
are multilingual and also speak Spanish, English, and German.
LEGAL AGE: 18 for drinking and 21 for gambling. The island's drug laws
are strict.
MONEY: The Netherlands Antillean florin (NAfl) is the official currency,
and US $1 = NAfl 1.78 or NAfl 1 = 56¢, but the dollar is widely accepted.
Plan to exchange only a small amount of money to pay for taxi fares, tips,
and small purchases. Stores will convert prices for you at a good rate,
about NAfl 1.75 = $1, but change is given in local currency. Major credit
cards are accepted at large resorts and restaurants, and many stores, but
smaller establishments may require cash.
PHARMACY: Botica Korona , Kaya Korona 180,

717-7552, and

Botica Bonaire , Kaya Grandi 27, 717-8905.

PHONES: The international access code from North America is 011; the
country code for the Netherlands Antilles is 599; the island code for
Bonaire is 7. To call Bonaire from North America, dial 011-599+ the seven-
digit local number, which begins with 7, the island code. If you are calling
Bonaire from Europe or most of the rest of the world, you would dial 00 +
599 + the seven-digit local number.
On Bonaire, dial the local number, including the island code of 7.
Some cellular phone numbers are Curaçao numbers that begin with a
number other than 7.
POPULATION: 14,400.
PUBLICATIONS: These magazines are available free in hotel lobbies
and at many restaurants and tourist attractions: Bonaire Holiday ,
Bonaire Nights , Bonaire Dining Guide , and Bonaire Affair . Island
news and current events are listed in the English-language newspaper
Bonaire Reporter .
SAFETY: Bonaire is very safe. Take common-sense precautions to avoid
theft, especially from cars parked at tourist attractions and beaches.
SHOPPING HOURS: Some stores open on Sunday when a cruise ship is
in port. Otherwise, plan to shop Monday-Saturday, 8 am-noon, and 2-6 pm.
A few shops may stay open during the lunch hours, especially when cruise-
ship passengers are in town.
TAXES: A 5% sales tax is added to most purchases. In addition, hotels
charge room tax of $6.50 per person, per day. A 10% service charge may be
added to hotel and restaurant bills. Check before you include a tip.
TAXIS: 717-8100.

TIME: Bonaire is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round, which is
one hour later than Eastern Standard Time and four hours earlier than
Greenwich Mean Time. The island does not observe daylight savings time,
so Bonaire's time is the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time.