Bonaire, officially known as Caribbean Netherlands, is a paradise for divers and nature lovers, known for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and relaxed Caribbean charm. Whether you’re exploring the coral reefs of Bonaire National Marine Park, spotting flamingos in Gotomeer, or enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of Kralendijk, understanding how to access cash is essential. While credit cards are widely accepted in resorts and tourist areas, cash remains useful for smaller shops, local eateries, and taxis. This guide provides everything you need to know about cash and ATMs in Bonaire, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable trip.
Where to find ATMs in Bonaire?
Urban Areas: In Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire, ATMs are available in commercial areas, shopping centers, and near bank branches. Banks such as Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (MCB) and Banco di Caribe operate ATMs on the island.
Tourist Spots: Popular destinations like the Bonaire National Marine Park, Lac Bay, and the Salt Pans have ATMs in nearby areas. However, within some tourist sites, ATM access may be limited, so it’s advisable to carry sufficient cash.
Rural Areas: In less populated regions and remote areas, ATM availability can be scarce. It’s recommended to withdraw cash in Kralendijk before venturing into these areas.
Best ATMs to use in Bonaire for foreigners
There are not a lot of choices in Bonaire of ATMs. The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Bonaire are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Vidanova Bank
- MCB Bank
- Banco Di Caribe
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Bonaire.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Bonaire, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in USD).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate. If you want this – you’ll pay an extra fee for this service.
- If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in USD’. Note – the above is applicable to cards where the home currency is not US Dollar.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Bonaire?
Yes, majority of the foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Bonaire.
Types of cards accepted at ATMs
ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards. Some of them accept American Express cards. Others like JCB, UnionPay, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
What are the ATM opening hours
Most ATMs are operational 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
What are ATMs called
ATMs in Bonaire are usually found by a signage of word Bankomatiko’ or ‘ATM’.
Language options at ATMs
ATMs in Bonaire typically present Dutch and Papiamento as the primary languages along with English. Some also offer Spanish. If you’re not familiar with these languages, using live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be handy; but proceed cautiously as translations may not be perfect.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Bonaire?
ATMs in Bonaire dispense cash in US Dollars (USD), the official currency.
ATM withdrawal limits in Bonaire
ATMs in Bonaire have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of US$ 300 to US$ 1,000. Some ATMs can have a daily withdrawal limit of US$ 1,000.
ATM Fees in Bonaire
There are no fee-free ATMs in Bonaire. Bonaire has some of the highest ATM fees in the world. Bank ATMs in Bonaire charge between US$ 5.3 to US$ 7.95 as ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders, so you can use the one with lower ATM fees.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Bonaire. These are:
1. ATM’s Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s foreign transaction fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Bonaire
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Bonaire?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Bonaire. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Bonaire.
Safety at ATMs
Bonaire is known for its low crime rate, making it a relatively safe destination for tourists. ATMs are available in key areas; however, there have been reports of frequent technical issues, including machines being out of service or unable to dispense cash. These problems can be particularly inconvenient, especially on weekends or in areas with limited ATM availability. It’s advisable to carry a reasonable amount of cash as a backup and plan your withdrawals ahead of time. Be mindful of your surroundings when using ATMs, and promptly secure your cash after withdrawal.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM here takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, its not possible. There are no fee-free ATMs in Bonaire. Bank ATMs charge between US$ 5.3 to US$ 7.95 as ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs here.
Bitcoin ATMs
As of now, there are no known Bitcoin ATMs operating in Bonaire.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Bonaire
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate ATMs here.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs here.
HSBC: No, HSBC does not operate ATMs here.
Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not have ATMs here.
