Travel Vaccines and Advice for Bonaire
Bonaire is the island in the Caribbean Sea that is part of the ABC islands which also includes Aruba and Curacao.
Bonaire has been inhabited and controlled by many different countries in the past from Spain, Denmark or England. It is currently a special municipality under the Netherlands.
Dutch is the official language of Bonaire as it still remains part of the Netherlands. But, it is not the most widely spoken language on the island. The majority of the island speaks Papiamentu, a Creole language.
The capital of Bonaire is Kralendijk, which is the only main city on the island. It encompasses nearly the entirety of the island’s population.
Do I Need Vaccines for Bonaire?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Bonaire. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Bonaire: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Bonaire |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Bonaire |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for Bonaire?
All passports must be valid for the entirety of your stay in Bonaire. There is no visa requirement for travelers who are traveling to Bonaire for under 180 days.
Bonaire Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Bonaire? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Bonaire and U.S. State Department
For more information contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
What Is the Climate Like in Bonaire?
Bonaire has a tropical climate with hot temperatures all year round. Temperatures don’t change much staying between 73 and 88.
The hotter months run from May-October with the weather being sunny and dry. During the hotter months, the trade winds may help lessen the effect of the heat. It rains in small amounts, the rainy season considered between October and December.
How Safe Is Bonaire?
Drug trafficking does occur on the island of Bonaire, but crime is low in relation to tourists.
Although crime is low, theft (such as valuables and car theft) can happen. Always keep your belongings with you. Do not keep valuables in your hotel rooms during the day. If you plan on renting a car on Bonaire, make sure you have fully-covered car insurance as some rental places don’t insure their vehicles.
Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.
Scuba Diving in Bonaire
Bonaire is a popular destination for people looking to scuba dive; from experienced divers to beginners. Even their license plate says “Diver’s Paradise”.
If you are a beginner scuba diver, you are able to buy or rent all the equipment you may need on the island. Bonaire is a good place to start scuba diving. They are best known for their shore dives, which are more shallow and easily accessible. Bonaire is also known for their reefs as well as their shipwrecks.
If you are diving, do not wear gloves and do NOT touch the reefs. If you are caught doing either of these things, you will be removed from the water by dive operators.
The most popular dive site in Bonaire is Hilma Hooker, a sunken freighter that sank in 1984. This shipwreck is both accessible from boat and from the shore.
What Should I Take To Bonaire?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Bonaire:
- Hats and sunscreen to protect against the consistent sun.
- Shoes for hiking, if you plan to hike.
- Health insurance documents in case of medical care needs.
- If you are planning to scuba dive and are particular about your gear, bring your own gear with you.
U.S. Consular Services in Bonaire
All Americans visiting Bonaire should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
There is no U.S. embassy in Bonaire, but it is served by the embassy in Curacao.
U.S. Consulate General Curacao
J.B. Gorsiraweg 1,
Willemstad, Curacao
Telephone: + (599) (9) 461-3066
Emergency After-Hours: +(599) (9) 510-6870
ACSCuracao@state.gov
If you have any questions about traveling to Bonaire or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Bonaire?
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for Bonaire?
What Is the Climate Like in Bonaire?
How Safe Is Bonaire?
Scuba Diving in Bonaire
What Should I Take To Bonaire?
U.S. Consular Services in Bonaire
