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Everything Else Bonaire: Are many credit cards accepted in Bonaire?
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2004: Archives - 2003-04-30 to 2004-02-25: Are many credit cards accepted in Bonaire?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Asa Ulrey (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 10:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

My first trip to Bonaire begins in 19 and 3/4 days. The discussions of this board have really fueled my enthusiasm for the trip and given me some great advice and pointers. One question I have though, as important as it appears to be to use a credit card and its insurance benefits for things like car rentals, what cards are typically accepted around Bonaire? Is Discover widely accepted there or just Visa, AMEX, and MC? I will be checking directly with the places we plan to use but any "experienced" input is appreciated. Also, my stay will be for 14 days at the beginning of September and any suggestions of things that "just have to be experienced" on a first time visit would also be appreciated.

Thanks for this and everything else,
-Asa

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Bayford (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 10:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Asa, You'll LOVE Bonaire!! I used my Visa for all my purchases (Gifts, Car Rental, Dive Shop, groceries, etc) and the bank machines are easy and readily available to get cash. I tried to use my bank card in the grocery store (Cultimara) but they don't accept it. I don't know about Discover as I don't have one. One thing I would do different after my first experience - pack lighter and leave clothes behind. Definately get a car rental. Even though it's a smaaaaaalllllll island, there is lots to see and a lot of history. I was very disappointed with the Washington Slagbaai National Park, although I have seen some rave reviews, but I'm from Canada and guess we're spoiled with "National Parks". Have fun!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darryl Vleeming (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #218) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 12:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You know Lorraine, my wife and I felt the same way about the park when we there last September. Half way through I was just wishing it was over, so I wouldn't have to bounce all over the place . . . .

Darryl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harrie Cox (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #132) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 12:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello Asa,

Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted here, AMEX and Discover I have never seen here.

About the washington Slagbaai Park, I don't agree the above mentioned comments It is rough and nice unspoiled nature, with lots of nice views. In my opinion an absolute must for nature-lovers! You can look for a trip report about Washington Slagbaai park on my website: www.harmoni.nl
I still have to change a statement there about the entrance fee: it is US$10,-- per person per day.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (BonaireTalker - Post #82) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 12:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amex can be used at some locations, but visa/mc are more widely accepted. Don't know about Discover. If you have cirrus/maestro on your home atm card, you can use it here to withdraw dollars or guilders from local atm machines. You need to check with your own cc co. re: whether or not it covers auto-rental insurances outside the US-some do, some don't.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #261) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 2:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Credit cards are widely accepted here.

I think Discover is the credit card of the four major ones (Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover) that will not be accepted at most places.
For instance, I believe that AB Carrental accepts Discover, while Plaza Resort does not; while both are major 'businesses' on the island.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Angela Strozier (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 5:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We loved the park...We couldn't believe the nature, the small birds would land on my camera lens...the army of eguanas (sp?) scared the ?#$% out of me but it was so much fun. In fact we will do the park again in September on our return trip. You must also see the South end with the old Slave Huts and Salt Mines, awesome history.

My 2 cents.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #122) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 6:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Asa -

I would concur with Angela and encourage you to explore Washington-Slagbaai park. It is a desert scrub environment, totally unlike any area in Ohio (and most other U.S. states, for that matter).

It is rugged, wild and a real "get-away" from the hectic :-) daily life on the island. Make sure your rental vehcile is "park worthy" and you're off.

Take at least 1/2 day, more if you plan to stop for snorkeling, birding, mountain climbing, diving, etc.

Regardless, you are going to love Bonaire and please to give us a trip report upon your return.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4454) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 9:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

There are a few smaller places which don't take credit cards - restaurants mostly. Bobbejans and Gibi's come to mind. All tourist oriented restaurants take Visa and MC at a minimum, and many take AMEX. I use my AMEX to pay for groceries at Cultimara and Tropical Flamingo too :-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Thomas (BonaireTalker - Post #86) on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 9:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We tried to use a credit card at some warehouse near Lisa Gas, but they wouldn't take them at all. (No Traveler's Checks either, which a friend tried to cash). But I used my MC sucessfully for all shopping in town. (Most didn't like my Discover Card!) And Michael at Chat N Browse said he'd take any card! (So I used one to pick up a couple of Linda's prints!!!)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob caat (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 9:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Some credit card companies recommend you call them and notify them that you will be out of country and using your card. This may not be needed in Bonaire. I had my card refused in China due to my credit card company's fraud protection system put a hold on the card when it was noticed in was being used out of country. I had to call the credit card company to resolve the problem.

Bob

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Asa Ulrey (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 1:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks to everyone for the advice and input. As it turns out Discover's auto rental coverage does not extend outside the USA anyways. I am sure we will go to the salt mines in the south and the park. Even though we have endless acres of state and national parks around here, there is not here;) I will certainly share details of the adventure once they exist.

Thanks again to all,
-Asa

 


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