Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius)

Use Normal Level of Caution

Formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean Netherlands is made up of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, which have been considered special municipalities of the Netherlands since October 2010. The Netherlands remains responsible for public administration. Bonaire is situated close to the Venezuelan coast, and Sint Eustatius and Saba are south of Sint Maarten and northwest of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Their governments consist of an Island Governor with an island council, and a central government, the National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands, which provides services on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands. The islands are not part of the European Union, but rather are considered to be overseas countries and territories. Overall, the population of the Caribbean Netherlands is about 25,000 (2016 est.)

Bonaire, with a population of about 19,000 people, is known for its unspoiled beauty. The island’s economy is based mainly on tourism. The well-preserved coral reefs provide for excellent diving and snorkeling.

On Sint Eustatius, travellers will find hiking trails in the Quill National Park which wind around the dormant Quill Volcano and along the coast. The island is also known for its rainforest and also for diving around as many as 200 shipwrecks and coral reefs. The population on Sint Eustatius is about 3600.

Saba, another unspoiled island, has a population of only about 1900 people. Tourism is the most important sector of the economy. This island is known for hiking, diving and snorkeling, and travellers can also enjoy its quaint villages. Some historical sites date back to the 17th century.

Currency	USD: U.S. Dollar
Language	Dutch (official) English, Spanish and Papiamentu also spoken
Capital	Bonaire - Kralendijk; Sint Eustatius - Oranjestad; Saba - The Bottom
Recent Alerts	None
Latest Alert	Not Available

Diseases To Be Aware Of

The diseases listed below are those which occur most often in Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius). Other, less frequently encountered diseases might be displayed within the Travel Alerts section if they have occurred recently.

Hepatitis A There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.
Typhoid Fever Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.
Rabies Rabies may be present in bats but has not been reported in domestic or wild animals Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.
Dengue Fever Dengue fever may occur in this country.
Chikungunya Fever Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.
Zika Fever Zika virus can occur in this country.
Yellow Fever The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 6 months of age and older if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Vaccinations to Consider

The following is a list of recommended vaccinations for travelling to Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius).

Hepatitis A Vaccine There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.
Rabies Vaccine Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).
Yellow Fever Vaccine The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 6 months of age and older if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Medications to Consider

The following is a list of recommended medications for travelling to Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius).

None required.

Safety and Security in Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius)

Emergency Numbers

911

913 Coast Guard

Personal Safety

There is general hospitality towards tourists in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, and the crime rate is low. Nevertheless, take the necessary precautions to stay safe and to avoid petty crime and theft. Always be alert to your surroundings. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not accept drinks or food from strangers and never leave your drinks out of your sight.

The hurricane season usually runs from June to November.

Use only registered taxis and negotiate the fare before taking the taxi.
 By law, you are required to carry identification. Always have a copy of your passport with you.

Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba observe the same laws as the Netherlands, and same-sex marriage is legal. The islands are conservative but welcome GLBT travellers.

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Updated: December 15, 2020