How Do I Get to Bonaire (and Do I Need a Passport and a Visa)?

Bonaire is a small island that packs a punch, given the number of its dive sites and beaches on its every side, getting to Bonaire is incredibly worth the trip. However, you can only get to this Caribbean pearl in one of two ways, by sea and by air.
How Do I Get to Bonaire
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Its reputation and bilateral relations with a plethora of countries, and its close ties with the US and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have made entering the island easier and accessible. It’s only a matter of where you’re flying in from and what it would take: visa or no visa?

Does Bonaire Have an Airport?

Bonaire’s main airport is found in the capital city of Kralendijk called the Flamingo International Airport, with an IATA code BON, also called Bonaire International Airport. This is the island’s only airport that receives several international flights serving as Bonaire’s main transport hub.

The airport doesn’t only receive flights from the Americas and the Caribbean but from Europe as well, mainly from the UK and the Netherlands. Flamingo International Airport has seen an estimate of more than 360,000 passengers in 2019, most of which are tourists, which is the sector that takes up a major part of the island’s economy.

What Airport Do You Fly Into for Bonaire?

International flights are received at the Flamingo International Airport, often called Bonaire International Airport (BON), located at the southern end of the capital of Kralendijk. The island’s sole airport serves as the country’s main transport hub that connects it to its ABC Islands sisters, the rest of the Caribbean, and the world.

The hub serves a plethora of international airlines that fly from North America, as far as Alaska, and in Europe as well, as far as the UK and the Netherlands. The island also receives flights from various US and South American cities as well. No matter where you’re from in the western hemisphere you can easily get to Bonaire by flying.

Can I Fly Into Bonaire?

You can fly into Bonaire, via direct flights from the Netherlands, UK, US, Canada, and various South American cities as well. However, depending on the airline of your choice, some might offer connecting flights, given the distance, especially if you’re flying from Europe.

Nonetheless, Bonaire is easily accessible by cruise ship or by plane as Bonaire’s primary economic driver is tourism. Flying on the island is as easy as flying into any touristy country like Mexico, and Aruba.

How Do You Fly to Bonaire?

You can fly to Bonaire via airports in key cities that offer direct or connecting flights to Krandelijk. You would find it easier to fly to Bonaire if you’re flying in from Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao, Houston, Miami, Atlanta, New York, in the US, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

What Airlines Fly to Bonaire?

With Bonaire’s increasing reputation as one of the Caribbean’s little gems, the island’s tourism sector has drawn in a whole swarm of international airlines that offer different ticket packages to passengers. Many of these airlines are American Airlines, KLM, or Royal Dutch Airlines,  Aruba Airlines, Delta, Halcyonair, United Air, TUI Airlines, Sunwing, Winair, Divi Divi Air, and EZ Air.

Direct flights from the US are hosted by certain airlines that fly from key cities such as Newark, Houston, Atlanta, and Miami. You can also fly direct from Toronto, in Canada, and to the other two ABC Islands, from Oranjestad, and Willemstad in Aruba and Curacao, respectively.

If you’re flying in from Europe, you can fly direct from Amsterdam, which also serves as the gateway to other European countries, and you can also get a connecting flight from Amsterdam to Bonaire.

What Airlines Fly Direct to Bonaire?

From the US, you can fly direct with United Air via Newark and Houston. American Airlines cater direct flights from Miami. Delta Air also has direct flights from Atlanta. If you’re flying from Canada, Sunwing offers direct flights via Toronto.

In the Caribbean, you can fly via the Aruba Air and Divi Divi Air, straight from Oranjestad, and Willemstad, in Aruba and Curacao. Winair offers flights to Bonaire from Sint Maarten. If you’re flying from Europe, KLM and TUI only serve direct flights coming from Amsterdam.

Who Flies to Bonaire From the US?

If you’re flying from the US, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United offer direct flights from various key cities in the US. These cities include Newark, New York, and Houston with United Air, Miami with American Airlines, and Atlanta via Delta Air.

However, routes change and ticket availabilities change depending on the season. It’s best to check out the respective websites of these airlines beforehand, to see if there are any other cities available in the months you’re planning to go.

How Long Is the Flight From Atlanta to Bonaire?

With an approximate direct distance of 2,898 km or 1,801 miles, the estimated flight time from Atlanta to Bonaire is around 4 hours or so.

Does United Airlines Fly to Bonaire?

Flying from various key cities in the US, United Airlines hosts the most number of flights to Bonaire from the US. You can fly direct from Newark, New York, and Houston with United Airlines.

What Days Does United Airlines Fly to Bonaire?

Flight days might change according to season and the circumstances of the time, but, currently, United Airlines offers arrivals and departures in Bonaire on the weekends – Saturday and Sunday, and Tuesdays.

Is American Airlines Flying to Bonaire?

One of the major American airlines to offer flights to and from Bonaire, this flag carrier offers flights from various key cities in the US like Miami, Boston, New York,  Philadelphia, Dallas, San Diego, and even Washington, D.C.

However, flight prices vary from 200 USD to 750+ USD roundtrips. Just like, United Air, American Airlines offers the most number of flights to and from Bonaire via different cities in the US.

What Days Does American Airlines Fly to Bonaire?

American Airlines is one of the biggest airlines with the most flights going to and from Bonaire. The US flag carrier flies regularly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The airlines also offer direct flights from Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and many more cities.

Does Delta Fly to Bonaire?

One of the US’ biggest airlines sure offers numerous flights from various key cities in the US to Krandelijk in Bonaire. Delta offers direct, and non-stop flights from Newark, Houston, and Atlanta.

What Days Does Delta Fly to Bonaire?

Offering numerous flights to Bonaire from major cities in the US, Delta offers flights to Krandelijk on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Does Westjet Fly to Bonaire?

Until 2020, Bonaire hasn’t been on WestJet’s roster for quite a while. Starting in early 2021, the airlines have offered non-stop flights to Bonaire from Toronto, once-a-week. However, this offer is only seasonal and is part of the airline’s winter promo.

Are There Direct Flights From Toronto to Bonaire?

Sunwing offers direct flights from Toronto, to Krandelijk in Bonaire. The Canadian travel company has included Bonaire as one of their premier Caribbean destinations, along with Aruba and Curacao. The travel company also offers vacation packages for families, ranging from flights, accommodations, and tours.

How Do You Get to Bonaire From UK?

It would take long-haul flights to get you from the UK, specifically in London, to Bonaire. You can book flights from either TUI or KLM, and usually has stops in Amsterdam. Both, KLM and TUI offer daily flights from London to Bonaire.

From London Heathrow Airport, you take a flight to Amsterdam Schiphol, in the Netherlands. After transferring, you take another flight from Amsterdam Schiphol to Flamingo International in Bonaire. The entire trip should take around 13 to 15 hours, depending on the transfers.

How Much Are Flights to Bonaire?

Most flights to Bonaire from the US costs around 400 to 700 USD, depending on the airlines, and the season you’re flying into. If you’re from Europe, either the UK or the Netherlands, flights usually cost around 500 to a thousand US dollars.

The trick to getting a cheaper deal is to book a month or even months in advance, during a low season, or an off-season so that not only flight deals, but accommodations also drop. Flying to the Caribbean can be expensive but there are always ways to go around.

Do You Need a Passport to Go to Bonaire?

No matter what nationality you are, you will be required to bring a passport. Make sure that your passport is valid during your stay on the island, it would be best if you have at least 6 months of validity.

Do You Need a Visa for Bonaire?

It depends on what country you’re from, or your registered nationality, and the passport you hold. Certain countries have been granted visa-free access that would allow their respective citizens to stay in the country for 90 days as tourists, these countries include:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong – holders of British National Overseas passports, Hong Kong – holders of Special Administrative Region passports, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao – holders of Special Administrative Region passports, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Christopher and Nevis (St Kitts), St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (holders of a passport bearing their identity card number), Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine (holders of a biometric passport), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City

And, the following countries will have to secure a tourist visa before coming:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central-African Republic, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo Democratic Republic, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji Islands, Philippines, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Yemen, Jordan, Cape Verde, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malagasy, Maldives, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldavia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Samoa (Western), Saudi Arabia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkmenistan, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Chad, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa

Do I Need a Visa for Bonaire From UK?

The recent Brexit may have its repercussions on British trade and commerce, but when it comes to traveling, especially in the EU and its constituent territories, the UK has still retained its accessibility. A British traveler can easily fly into Bonaire, given that their passport is valid during their stay on the island.

How Long Can a US Citizen Stay in Bonaire?

A US citizen without a tourist visa, and only a passport can stay on the island for a maximum period of 90 days. This ruling is the same as the rest of the countries that do not need to secure a visa from the local government or the immigration department.

How Long Can a Canadian Stay in Bonaire?

Canadians seeking to travel to Bonaire can easily enter with only a passport and can stay on the island for a maximum period of 90 days. This ruling is the same as the rest of the countries that do not need to secure a visa from the local government or the immigration department.

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