Bonaire Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Bonaire uses US dollars (USD) as its official currency, cash is still important for small purchases and tips, and most hotels and dive shops accept major cards like Visa and Mastercard. Since 2011, you can no longer pay with Netherlands Antillean guilders anywhere on the island, per the local tourism info.

If you’re coming from Singapore, think of everything in USD: as of early 2026, 1 SGD is roughly 0.74 USD, so a US$20 meal is about S$27. Travelers usually don’t need to exchange money in advance if they already hold USD; otherwise, it’s best to use ATMs or local banks in Kralendijk for fair rates and lower fees according to Bonaire’s banking guides.

For day‑to‑day spending, plan to use a mix of cards for bigger costs (car rental, accommodation, diving) and cash for tips, food trucks, and small local shops. The Hello app can quietly do the hard work: track your USD spending in multiple currencies, convert back to SGD automatically, and split expenses with friends so everyone stays on budget without manual math.

Bonaire’s official currency is the US dollar (USD), and all prices on the island—restaurants, hotels, dive shops—are quoted and paid in dollars, according to Bonaire’s tourism office and local banking guides. Since 1 January 2011, the old Netherlands Antillean guilder has no value and is no longer accepted.

For Singaporeans, the key Bonaire currency question is: how does USD compare to SGD? As of early 2026, travel finance sites estimate the mid‑market rate around 1 SGD ≈ 0.74 USD, which is consistent with Monetary Authority of Singapore data over recent months. That means:

• US$10 snorkel gear rental ≈ S$13.50
• US$30 dinner with drinks ≈ S$40
• US$500 dive package ≈ S$675

Exchange rates move daily, so you should check live numbers close to your departure date using a trusted converter or directly inside the Hello app, which automatically updates FX rates for its multi‑currency expense tracking.

If you hold SGD, you can:

• Change to USD in Singapore before flying (often easiest).
• Withdraw USD from ATMs in Bonaire using a debit card.
• Exchange SGD or other currencies at banks in Kralendijk.

Because USD is the only accepted currency on Bonaire, you won’t use SGD or EUR directly in shops; everything is charged in dollars, and your bank handles the conversion in the background.

The easiest way to get Bonaire currency is to withdraw USD from local ATMs or exchange foreign cash at banks in Kralendijk, where rates and fees are usually better than hotel desks or shops, per Bonaire’s money and payment guides.

ATMs from major banks such as Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (MCB) and RBC Royal Bank are available in Kralendijk and at Flamingo International Airport. Travel resources report that these ATMs operate 24/7 and accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard debit/credit). Many banks keep weekday opening hours roughly 08:00–15:30 or 16:00, so plan in‑branch exchanges during office times.

Typical money strategies for visitors:

• ATMs: Good for pulling out USD directly; your home bank may charge a foreign ATM fee (often US$3–6 per withdrawal) plus FX markup.
• Banks: Best for exchanging EUR or other currencies into USD; commercial rates are usually more transparent than those offered by shops.
• Airport vs town: You may find higher fees at airport exchange counters; banks in downtown Kralendijk often have more favorable rates.

If you’re coming from Singapore with SGD, it’s often cheaper to convert a reasonable amount to USD at home, then top up via ATMs on Bonaire only when needed. You can log each withdrawal in the Hello app, which reads receipts in any currency and automatically converts your cash usage back to SGD so you see the true cost after fees.

On Bonaire, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, car rentals, and larger restaurants, but you’ll still want cash for food trucks, local stalls, and tips, according to several island payment guides and car rental companies.

Most mid‑range and upscale businesses in Kralendijk have modern card terminals. These often support chip & PIN and contactless (tap) payments, especially for cards issued in the EU and North America. Dutch credit and debit cards (Maestro, V‑Pay) work at most locations, as noted by Bonaire’s official travel information. However, very small shops, beach bars, and street vendors may prefer cash and sometimes add a surcharge for card payments on low amounts.

Global mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasingly supported wherever terminals accept contactless cards, but the island does not commonly use Asia‑centric apps such as WeChat Pay or PayPay. Think of Bonaire as a classic cash‑and‑card destination with only light digital wallet penetration.

To avoid card headaches:

• Bring at least two cards (e.g., one Visa, one Mastercard).
• Notify your bank of travel to the Caribbean Netherlands.
• Check whether your card charges foreign transaction fees (often 2–3% per purchase).

For online bookings and on‑the‑go adjustments—like extending a car rental or dive package—it helps to stay connected with an eSIM from Hello so you can approve bank app security prompts or SMS codes even before you find Wi‑Fi. Travelers can set this up in advance via the Bonaire destination page or Hello eSIM for Bonaire.

Tipping in Bonaire is appreciated but mostly informal, with common guidelines around 10–15% in restaurants and about 10% for taxi drivers and dive staff, according to regional Caribbean tipping and payment guides.

Here’s how Bonaire tipping usually works:

• Restaurants & bars: A 10–15% tip is standard for good service if it’s not already included. Some places add a service charge; if you see “service included,” an extra 5% is optional but welcome.
• Taxis: Round up or add about 10% for friendly service or help with bags.
• Dive shops & guides: For a full‑day trip, US$5–10 per diver is common; for multi‑day packages, some guests give US$20–30 at the end.
• Hotels: For housekeeping, US$2–3 per night left in the room, and US$1–2 per bag for bell staff.

Because tips are almost always given in cash USD, it’s smart to keep a stash of small bills: US$1s, US$5s, and US$10s. Local coin usage is the same as the US—quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies are standard change.

If you’re budgeting from Singapore, use the rough 1 SGD ≈ 0.74 USD guide. For example, a US$10 restaurant tip is around S$13.50. Logging tips and cash spending in the Hello app helps you stay realistic about how much you’re actually spending on service once you add up tips over a week‑long stay.

You can keep your Bonaire costs under control by paying in USD, avoiding poor exchange rates, and tracking expenses in a budget app so you see the real impact of meals, diving, and car rentals in your home currency.

Travel guides for Bonaire describe it as moderately priced compared with other Caribbean islands. In 2026, typical ranges look like this:

• Mid‑range meal: US$15–25 per person (S$20–34 for Singaporeans).
• Local snack or food truck: US$7–10.
• Daily car rental: roughly US$40–60.
• Two‑tank boat dive: often US$90–130.

To save money:

• Pay in USD rather than other currencies, as shops rarely accept EUR or SGD and may offer poor ad‑hoc conversion.
• Withdraw larger ATM amounts less often to reduce per‑withdrawal fees.
• Use a card with no foreign transaction fee if possible.
• Eat at local snack bars and food trucks a few nights instead of resort restaurants.

The Hello app is particularly handy here: it supports AI receipt scanning in any language/currency, multi‑currency budgets with automatic exchange rates, and expense splitting with friends. You can, for example, import a bank statement showing USD card charges, have Hello auto‑categorize them (meals, activities, transport), and instantly see your Bonaire trip total in SGD or another home currency. That makes it easier to stick to a daily budget—say US$80–120 per person—without nasty surprises once you get home.

Most travelers’ Bonaire currency questions boil down to what money to bring, how to pay, and how to avoid unnecessary fees or scams, and the answers are reassuringly simple: bring USD, use ATMs and cards wisely, and follow basic street‑smart rules.

Q: What is the official currency of Bonaire?
A: The US dollar (USD) is the sole official currency. Since 2011, the Netherlands Antillean guilder has had no value on Bonaire, and prices are always shown in USD.

Q: Do I need to exchange money before my trip?
A: If you already have USD, you don’t need to exchange anything. If you only have SGD or another currency, you can either change some to USD at home or use ATMs and banks in Kralendijk once you arrive.

Q: Are credit cards widely accepted?
A: Yes. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, dive shops, and restaurants. Small local businesses and markets may be cash‑only, so keep some bills on hand.

Q: What about ATMs and fees?
A: ATMs from major banks operate 24/7 and dispense USD, but your home bank may charge foreign transaction and withdrawal fees. Minimize these by withdrawing larger amounts less frequently.

Q: Are there common money scams to watch for?
A: Bonaire is generally safe, but you should avoid unlicensed money changers, be wary of anyone offering “special rates” in shops, and always count your change. Logging expenses and cash withdrawals in the Hello app is a simple way to spot anything that doesn’t add up.

Question	Short Answer	Best Practice
Official currency?	US dollar (USD) only	Carry USD cash and cards
Need to bring cash?	Yes, for tips and small shops	Mix of cards + small bills
Cards accepted?	Visa/Mastercard widely	Two cards from different banks
ATMs available?	Yes, mainly in Kralendijk & airport	Withdraw larger amounts less often
Tipping norm?	10–15% in restaurants	Keep US$1–5 bills ready