If you’re asking, “Can you use American dollars in Bonaire?” the answer is a resounding Yes! This is one of the easiest aspects of financial travel planning for Bonaire Caribbean Island.
Since 2011, the United States Dollar (USD) has been the official currency of Bonaire, making transactions completely straightforward for travelers from the U.S. and simplifying budgeting for all international visitors. No need to worry about currency exchange!
Let Fiestatours Bonaire guide you through the best practices for handling money, from paying mandatory fees to budgeting for your daily dive adventures.
🛍️ Using the USD Everywhere
Because the USD is the official local currency, it is accepted universally across the island.
- Everyday Use: You can use U.S. dollar bills and coins at all restaurants, dive shops, gas stations, hotels, and tourist attractions.
- ATMs: 🏧 Most ATMs on the island dispense U.S. dollars, making cash withdrawals simple.
- Tipping: Tipping in USD is customary (10-15% for service) and widely expected in the tourism sector.
💳 Cards vs. Cash: What to Carry
While using USD is easy, knowing when to rely on cash versus a card can streamline your experience, especially when exploring remote shore dive sites.
- Cards: Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted by most large businesses, hotels, and car rental agencies.
- Cash for Locals: 🌮 Always carry cash for smaller local markets, roadside food vendors, and tipping tour guides.
- Security: While card use is safe, having a mix of cash and card is always the wisest approach for travel security.
Learn practical advice on securing your valuables and managing logistics while diving: Bonaire Shore Diving Safety Tips
💰 Essential Fees: Budgeting Beyond Spending
Even with the ease of using USD, certain mandatory costs must be planned for to ensure smooth entry and access to the island’s natural wonders.
- Visitor Entry Tax: ✈️ This required fee must be paid by all non-residents, funding crucial infrastructure and conservation.
- Conservation Tag: The separate STINAPA tag payment grants you legal access to the protected Bonaire National Marine Park.
Understand why you must pay to enter Bonaire and how the funds are used: Bonaire Visitor Entry Tax Guide
🗺️ Financial Planning for Island Exploration
Your ability to use USD smoothly directly supports your freedom to explore. When you use Fiestatours Bonaire for your essential transportation, you ensure your payments simplify your logistics.
- Remote Access: When driving your rental dive truck to remote areas like the North Park or Pink Beach, cash is often the only option for small vendors or emergency needs.
- No Public Transit: 🛑 Since the island lacks public transport, paying for your transportation upfront is your most important financial decision after your flight.
Ensure your transportation is ready for the entire island. Secure your specialized dive truck now: Bonaire Dive Truck Rentals Guide
🤝 Seamless Planning with Fiestatours Bonaire
Let Fiestatours Bonaire streamline your trip planning, consolidating your major costs—from transportation to accommodation—into easy-to-manage packages. We ensure your budget planning is as simple as using the USD.
Ready to turn your budget into an itinerary? Start planning your comprehensive vacation package today: Bonaire Dive and Stay Packages
Don’t worry about currency exchange; focus on the reef. Contact Fiestatours Bonaire to finalize your logistics and budget today! Contact Our Planning Experts
