Money & Payments in Bonaire

Good to Know

• Debit cards used with global coverage incur no extra administrative costs at shops and restaurants—a major advantage over ATM withdrawals which carry per-transaction fees.
• Avoid using ATMs during weekends and holidays; machines frequently run empty due to high usage.
• Credit cards are required for car rentals; companies block security deposits ($500–1500) depending on vehicle type.
• Always inform your bank before departure—many banks block Caribbean transactions by default.
• Smaller denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20 bills) are much more useful than large bills ($50, $100), as many small vendors don't accept them.
• Do not write tip amounts on credit card receipts if paying by card—tips may not be charged or may incur processing deductions for staff. Pay the bill by card and tip separately in cash for best results.
• When using ATMs with non-USD home accounts, select 'Decline Conversion' or 'Charge in USD' to avoid extra conversion fees.
• Tipping on Bonaire blends Dutch (optional) and Caribbean/US (expected in tourism) traditions. It is appreciated but genuinely discretionary—refusing to tip for poor service is culturally acceptable.
• No fee-free ATMs exist on Bonaire; all ATM withdrawals incur local fees plus home bank charges.