Bonaire Tourist Tax 2026: rates and payment methods

The Bonaire tourist tax 2026, officially called the Visitor Entry Tax, is a mandatory fee that all non-residents pay upon arrival on the island. This tax of USD 75 per person (13 years and older) replaced the old system of room tax and car rental tax in July 2022. You pay once per visit and the tax is valid for 30 days, perfect for island hopping in the region.

Bonaire uses a transparent system where you can pay online in advance via the official government website. This saves time upon arrival and prevents queues at Flamingo Airport. The proceeds are invested in tourism infrastructure, education and sustainability projects on the island.

What is the tourist tax (Visitor Entry Tax) on Bonaire?

The Visitor Entry Tax is an island tax that Bonaire has charged all visitors who don't live on the island since July 1, 2022. This tax applies to everyone visiting Bonaire, regardless of if you arrive by plane, cruise ship or private boat. The fee is intended as a contribution to the costs that tourism brings to local infrastructure and services.

The tax is collected by the Public Body Bonaire and is completely separate from commercial services like car rental or accommodation. You pay this tax directly to the government, not to your hotel or tour operator.

Important to know is that the Visitor Entry Tax is separate from the STINAPA Nature Fee of USD 40. The latter is needed for access to the Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park. These are two different fees with different purposes.

The tourist tax applies to all arrival routes: planes via Flamingo Airport, cruise ships at Kralendijk port, and private boats docking at marinas like Harbor Village Marina. There's no distinction between different forms of tourism - everyone pays the same rate within their age category.

Difference from old system

Before July 2022, Bonaire had a different tax system consisting of multiple components. Tourists paid a room tax of USD 5.50 per person per night to their accommodation. This tax was included in your hotel bill and therefore varied with the length of your stay.

Additionally, there was a car rental tax of USD 4 per day for each rental car. This tax was added to your rental price and made car rental on Bonaire more expensive the longer you rented a car. For a week of car rental, you paid USD 28 extra in taxes.

The new system is much simpler: one fixed amount per visit, regardless of how long you stay or which services you use. A three-day visit now costs the same tax as a three-week stay. This makes budgeting easier and prevents surprises in your bill at hotels or car rental companies.

The new approach fits the trend on Caribbean islands to regulate tourism through a simple entry tax instead of complex systems with different taxes. Other islands in the region also use similar systems.

Current tourist tax rates 2026

The rates for the Bonaire Visitor Entry Tax have remained stable since introduction in 2022 and also apply for 2026. The island government has indicated that these rates won't change for now, providing budget certainty for your travel planning.

Note that no refund is possible if you pay the wrong rate or wrongly claim you're entitled to an exemption. Therefore, check carefully beforehand which category you fall under and make sure you have the correct documents with you.

For families with children, the reduced children's rate makes a significant difference. A family of two adults and two children (under 13) pays USD 170 instead of USD 300. Keep in mind that you must show valid identification for each child to prove they're younger than 13 years.

Standard rates per age group

The standard rate of USD 75 applies to all persons 13 years and older who are not residents of Bonaire or the former Netherlands Antilles. This rate was set based on similar fees on other Caribbean islands and the estimated costs that tourism brings.

The age limit of 13 years was chosen because children from this age are considered adult passengers by airlines and make more use of tourist facilities. Children up to and including 12 years pay only USD 10, a symbolic amount.

Upon arrival you must show valid identification (passport) for each child to get the reduced rate. Dutch ID cards are not accepted on Bonaire - not even for children. So make sure each child has their own passport before planning your trip to Bonaire.

Reduced rates and exemptions

Residents of the former Netherlands Antilles (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba) pay the reduced rate of USD 10. You must be able to show a valid sedula - the local identity document of these islands. A recent GBA extract can also serve as proof if your sedula is not valid.

Bonaire residents with a valid sedula are completely exempt from the tourist tax. This also applies to people in the immigration process who don't have a sedula yet - they must provide other proof documents such as an extract from Bonaire's GBA (Municipal Basic Administration).

Students from Bonaire studying abroad may qualify for exemption under certain conditions. They must be able to prove they're full-time students at a recognized educational institution and that Bonaire remains their main residence. A student declaration and proof of enrollment are required for this.

Cruise passengers form a separate category and always pay USD 10 per person, regardless of age. This tax is collected and paid by the cruise line to the island government. As a cruise passenger, you don't need to arrange anything extra - the tax is included in your cruise fare.

How and where to pay the tourist tax?

You have two options to pay the Visitor Entry Tax: online in advance (strongly recommended) or upon arrival at the airport. Both methods have their pros and cons, but paying online in advance saves time and prevents queues upon arrival.

Regardless of which method you choose: cash payment is not possible. You always need a credit card or debit card. Make sure your debit card is suitable for international payments and that your credit card has sufficient limit for the required amounts.

Pay close attention to only pay through official channels. There are fraudulent websites that offer the tourist tax for an additional fee. Only use the official government website tourismtax.bonairegov.com. Other websites claiming they can arrange the tax are scammers.

Pay online in advance (recommended)

The official website tourismtax.bonairegov.com opens seven days prior to your arrival date. You can't pay months in advance, only in the last week before your trip. This system prevents people from paying far in advance and then changing their travel plans.

The online payment process is simple: enter your arrival date, number of people and ages, choose your payment method (credit card or iDEAL for Dutch banks), and complete the payment. You receive immediate confirmation with QR codes per email. Also download the QR codes from the website and save them offline on your phone.

After successful payment you receive a unique QR code per person. You need these codes upon arrival on Bonaire. Take a screenshot of each code or print them as backup. The QR codes contain your name, arrival date and payment status, so check that all details are correct.

A major advantage of paying in advance is the Happy Lane upon arrival at Flamingo Airport. This is a separate, faster counter for people who have already paid. Especially during busy periods with many flights, this can save a lot of time.

Paying upon arrival

If you haven't paid in advance, you can pay the tourist tax upon arrival at special counters at Flamingo Airport. This service is available from the first flight until the last flight, so also late at night or early in the morning.

Upon arrival you first go to the Entry Tax counter before going through passport control. You pay here with credit card or debit card - cash is not accepted. Make sure your debit card is set to international profile and works outside Europe. Some Dutch banks automatically block foreign payments as protection against fraud.

The disadvantage of paying upon arrival is the possible waiting time, especially when multiple flights arrive simultaneously. During busy seasons (December-April) queues can be longer. You also run the risk that the payment system temporarily doesn't work due to technical problems.

After payment upon arrival you still receive QR codes that you can keep for your next visit within the validity period of 30 days. If you plan to go to other islands during your stay and return to Bonaire, keep these codes safe.

Validity and island hopping possibilities

The Bonaire Visitor Entry Tax is valid for 30 days from your first arrival day on the island. This means you can leave Bonaire and return within this period without having to pay again. This arrangement is especially useful for people doing island hopping in the Netherlands Antilles or the broader Caribbean region.

Practically, you can for example spend a week on Bonaire, then a few days to Curaçao or Aruba, and then return to Bonaire for the rest of your vacation. As long as your return falls within 30 days of your first arrival, you don't need to pay new tourist tax.

Upon your return to Bonaire you must be able to show your original QR code and identification. Authorities check if you fall within the validity period and if the QR code matches your identity. So keep these documents safe during your trip to other islands.

After the 30-day period expires you must pay again if you want to visit Bonaire again. There are no annual subscriptions or discounts for frequent visitors. Even if you're only one day over the limit, you owe the full amount for a new visit.

Required documents and proof

For standard rates you only need a valid passport. Dutch ID cards are not accepted on Bonaire, so make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date. This requirement applies to all travelers, including children.

For reduced rates or exemptions, additional documents are required. The exact requirements differ per category, and it's important that you have these documents with you upon arrival. Without correct proof documents you must pay the full rate, and refund is usually not possible.

Check before departure that all documents are valid and clearly legible. Damaged or expired documents are not accepted, and you must then pay the full rate. For children it's especially important that the passport is clearly legible, because the birth date must be clearly visible.

For reduced rates

A valid sedula is the most important document for residents of the former Netherlands Antilles to get the reduced rate of USD 10. The sedula must be valid on your travel date - expired copies are not accepted. If your sedula expires shortly before your trip, arrange for renewal or request a GBA extract as alternative.

A recent GBA extract (no older than 3 months) can serve as alternative for an invalid sedula. You get this document from the civil registry of your home island and it officially shows you're a resident of one of the former Netherlands Antilles. Keep in mind that requesting this document can take several days.

For Bonaire students studying abroad, additional documents are required. You need a student declaration from your educational institution showing you're studying full-time. You must also be able to prove you're officially enrolled as a student. Part-time students don't qualify for exemption.

Important note: if you can't prove you're entitled to a reduced rate, you must pay the full amount. Refund afterward is usually not possible, so make sure you have all required documents with you before traveling to Bonaire.

Practical tips for smooth payment

Good preparation prevents problems and delays upon arrival on Bonaire. Start your preparation while planning your trip to Bonaire by checking if your documents are valid and if your bank account is suitable for international payments.

The most important tip is to pay online at least a day before departure via the official website. Although payment up to seven days in advance is possible, don't wait until the last moment. Technical problems or bank restrictions can force you to pay upon arrival, which costs time and creates stress.

Make sure your email address is correctly entered when paying online. QR codes are automatically sent to this address, and if it's wrong, you won't receive them. Also check your spam folder if you haven't received the codes within an hour. Download the codes directly from the website as backup.

Always take screenshots of your QR codes and save them offline on your phone. Internet on the plane or at the airport isn't always reliable, and you don't want to depend on an internet connection to show your payment proof. Print the codes as extra security too.

Preparing before departure

Check at least a week before departure if your debit card is set to international profile and works for international payments. Many Dutch banks automatically block foreign transactions as protection against fraud. Call your bank to lift this block and report Bonaire as your travel destination.

Make sure your credit card has sufficient limit and doesn't expire during your trip. For a family, costs can add up to several hundred dollars when you also include the STINAPA Nature Fee. Some credit cards have low daily limits for foreign payments.

Download the official website (tourismtax.bonairegov.com) on your phone in advance and save the link. Check if the website works well from your mobile, because you need it for online payment. Also make sure you have all travel details (arrival date, flight, accommodation) at hand.

Make a checklist of all required documents per traveler for safety. You need a passport for each child, and people claiming reduced rates need additional proof documents. Prepare all documents before you start packing.

Upon arrival at the airport

If you paid in advance, go directly to the Happy Lane at Entry Tax control. Have your QR codes and passports ready to speed up the process. This counter is usually less busy than the regular payment counter, especially during peak periods.

Show your QR code on your phone screen or as print. Make sure the code is clearly legible and not damaged. If the QR code doesn't work, staff have access to a backup system, but this can take extra time. Therefore always have both a digital and printed version with you.

Have identification ready for each traveler. The controller compares the name on the QR code with the passport and checks if you're within the validity period if you're not arriving for the first time. This usually goes quickly, but prepare by having all documents organized and at hand.

Difference from other island fees

Bonaire has multiple fees for visitors, and it's important to understand the distinction between the different taxes and fees. The Visitor Entry Tax is not the only payment you make as a tourist - there are other mandatory costs for specific activities.

The biggest difference is between the Visitor Entry Tax (access to the island) and the STINAPA Nature Fee (access to protected natural areas). These are two completely separate systems with different websites, payment methods and validity periods. You can't make do with just one - for a complete diving experience on Bonaire you need both.

Unlike some other Caribbean islands, Bonaire doesn't have separate port or airport fees on top of the Visitor Entry Tax. There are also no different rates for different seasons or activities. The system is deliberately kept simple to prevent confusion.

STINAPA Nature Fee

The STINAPA Nature Fee of USD 40 is mandatory for access to the Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park. This means you need this fee for diving, snorkeling or visiting Washington Slagbaai.

You pay this fee through a different website (stinapa.org) and it has a different validity period. The Nature Fee is valid for a whole calendar year (January 1 through December 31), regardless of when in the year you buy it. If you buy in November, it's only valid for two months.

The Nature Fee is linked to your passport details and personal. You can't transfer it to others or use it for group visits. Each diver or snorkeler needs their own fee, including children participating in diving activities.

Important: the Nature Fee doesn't give access to the island itself, only to the protected natural areas. You therefore always need both payments if you plan to dive or visit Washington Slagbaai during your stay on Bonaire.

Problems and support

Although the payment process usually goes smoothly, problems can sometimes occur with online payments, not receiving QR codes or technical failures. For these situations the island government has set up a helpdesk that offers Dutch and English support.

The main contact point is taxsupport@bonairevisitortax.com for all questions about the Visitor Entry Tax. This team usually responds within 24 hours on working days. For urgent problems on the day of departure you can also contact by phone via +599 701-2066, but this is only available on working days from 8:00 to 17:00 local time.

Always keep your payment confirmation and transaction details as proof of payment. If there are problems with the system upon arrival, staff can manually verify your payment based on this information. Screenshots of the payment page can also help in resolving problems.

For technical problems during online payment (such as failed transactions or double payments) contact the helpdesk. Always include your transaction details, passport details and a description of the problem. In most cases problems can be resolved within one working day.

Common problems and solutions:

• QR code not received: Check spam folder, contact helpdesk with transaction details
• Payment failed: Check bank limit, try different payment method, contact your bank
• Wrong details entered: Contact helpdesk immediately, changes are limitedly possible
• QR code doesn't work upon arrival: Show payment confirmation to staff, manual verification possible