Visitor Entry Tax

Before July 1, 2022
As of July 1, 2022, Bonaire has a new system for collecting the tourist tax. Prior to that, a lodging tax (room tax) of $5.50 per person per night was collected through accommodation providers, and a car rental tax (car tax) of $4 per day was collected by car rental companies.

The old system was complex, and ensuring accurate collection and remittance was a challenge. As a result, taxes were often not fully collected and/or remitted, leading to significant inequality within the tourism sector.

Effective July 1, 2022
The newly established visitor entry tax, which took effect on July 1, 2022, replaces both the lodging tax and the car rental tax and is levied on all non-residents visiting the island by plane or boat.

Rates

• The new visitor entry tax is $75 per person.
• Children up to and including age 12—known as “Island Children”—and residents of the other five islands of the former Netherlands Antilles pay $10 per person.
• Bonairean students with a certificate from the BES Student Finance Act or with tangible proof that they are studying full-time abroad are exempt.
• Residents of Bonaire are exempt.
• Cruise passengers pay $10 per person, which is remitted to the OLB by the cruise line.

Required documentation for a reduced rate or exemption

To qualify for a reduced rate of $10 or a full exemption, supporting documentation must be presented to the agents at the airport or seaport. If the supporting documentation is invalid, incorrect, and/or cannot be presented, the full fee of $75 must be paid.

Validity of the Fare

A QR code obtained after payment is valid for 1 month. This applies to all fares. Within this one-month validity period, you may visit other islands—known as “island hopping”—and re-enter Bonaire via the airport or seaport without having to pay again.

If you re-enter the island a second or subsequent time, you must present identification to prove that the QR code is in your name. If this is not the case, you will be required to pay again. You may also be asked to provide supporting documentation at any time.

Pay online in advance to save time

Visitors to the island can pay the new tourist tax online at https://tourismtax.bonairegov.com/. Payment can be made up to 7 days before your trip to Bonaire via credit card or iDEAL.

Always make sure to obtain your QR code online before arrival! This prevents unnecessarily long waits before you can collect your luggage. If an online payment fails for any reason, you can select “Pay at Kiosk” and still receive a QR code. With this QR code, you can then pay quickly at the airport using a credit card or debit card (PIN/Maestro). Cash payments are not accepted. This applies to both the airport and the seaport.