Money in Bonaire

[DrSteve]

For Bonaire trips do people normally take dollars or get ANG beforehand? Also can you pay the departure tax in dollars or must if be ANG? Are there any currency exchanges around? There were plenty in Cozumel that offered very nice rates...but Bonaire is alittle less developed than Cozumel from what I understand.

I know we can use our cash cards but we will get reamed royally for the priviledge of doing so by our bank.

Just a general question as well. You know those white cotton shirts and pants (look like a cross between karate pants and a surgeons smock) that are popular in Cozume/Mexico...can you get those in Bonaire?

 

[Rick Murchison]

Dollars work for everything.
You may save a sheckel or two if you arrange your currency exchange in advance with a bank that wants to keep your business and is willing to use the "real" rate, but otherwise there's just no need for carrying around NAF in Bonaire. (You'll accumulate some as change anyway)
Time was when the very best exchange rate to be had was by using a credit card for purchases in the foreign currency, which banks in the States would charge at the going rate - but now most merchants will charge you in dollars at the same (sorry) rate as the "street" rate, making a "moneychanging fee" on top of their normal profit. Mildly irritating, that.
Rick

 

[Scuba65]

We just used US dollars..they take them every where ..though you will get their money back in change. and yes, you can pay for the departure tax in $$$$ that is no problem. I know what you're talking about in the pants and shirts...I personally didn't see any of them..though i never made it to any shops so they might have them.

 

[H2Andy]

yup, as everyone has said, dollars are good

they will give you change in local currenty most of the time, though

 

[Rick Murchison]

Just a general question as well. You know those white cotton shirts and pants (look like a cross between karate pants and a surgeons smock) that are popular in Cozume/Mexico...can you get those in Bonaire?

Never seen 'em there. But then the Lovely Young Kat says I'm not very observant when it comes to shopping, either
Rick

 

[akscubainst]

Time was when the very best exchange rate to be had was by using a credit card for purchases in the foreign currency, which banks in the States would charge at the going rate - but now most merchants will charge you in dollars at the same (sorry) rate as the "street" rate, making a "moneychanging fee" on top of their normal profit. Mildly irritating, that.
Rick

I noticed this too. They give you a bill in NA then write the CC slip in USD.


We were there for 16 days last year so we used CC for meals and larger purchases and got NA from the ATMs for spending money. The ATMs will dispense either guilders or USD your choice.

Dave

 

[Tom Smedley]

There is a store in the same building as the Subway Sandwich shop on the opposite corner of the building on the back (parking lot side) that sells the kind of clothing that you describe.There's always a lot of luggage out front. We had an aged hippy with us on the last trip and he went crazy in there.

The official exchange rate is 1.78 naf per USD but all businesses give you 1.75. Some have gotten to where now that will give you USD change but expect naf in change. I made a handy calculator page by using an excel spreadsheet.

The Bonaire Reporter says that gas is over 1.80 to the liter now.

 

[dvrliz1]

Hi Dr. Steve!

Ok here is the lowdown...Suggest you bring a few hundred in US Cash (this is what we do), then bring your ATM card. There are lots ATMs around (airport, town, all banks (one right down the street from us)). Anyway, they let you take out guilders (Nafl) or US. When you pay in US$, they will give Nafl in change normally. NO WHERE WILL ACCEPT ANYTHING GREATER THAN A $20.00 US bill. Don't bring $50 or $100's! I don't know of anyone who gives change in US. Also restaurants usually give you a bill with BOTH the US and the guilder amounts on it. All credit card transactions are done in US$. If you want to bring travellers checks you can, but the only place you will have to cash them in is the bank. They charge a fee for this. Also Visa/MC/AMEX are accepted widely. See you soon!

Liz

 

[DrSteve]

Credit card bills in US Dollars...no problems then! Some places in Cozumel would charge in USD and others in pesos, with the card company of course charging a conversion fee (who would have thought simple multiplication was so hard, I wonder how much I can charge my employer for doing integration?).

See you in two weeks Liz!