I just came back from my dive shop getting ready for our trip in June. Our Dive Master suggested that any US Currency we take to Bonaire should be "NEW" bills. He said that merchants do not really want to take older bills. Also, they should be fairly small bills.

Any feedback?

Lee,
When we were there in October, we took $5, $10, $20, and $50 bills. I did not experience anyone being reluctant to accept our money. They were not new bills, just the everyday bills that you get from your local bank. It is just as convenient to use your plastic at most places. That way you don't have to carry a lot of cash. Also, if you run low on cash, you can use the local ATM's

Robert

I have not had any trouble with any US bills. The cash I take is usually in $50s. They are large enough that you don't have to carry many but at the same time are small enough to use fairly easily. I use them at meals or other purchases in the $20-30 range. The change is usually in Guilders which I use for the smaller purchases. Larger purchases are on the credit card.

Lee -

We were on Bonaire right after the 'new' bills had shown up in the U.S. Some of the Bonaire merchants were hesitant then - one of the warehouses would only take up to $50s - no higher. We were told there had been some counterfit bills (new ones) and that was their reason.

But, that was several years ago. We haven't had any problems, but we only take a couple of hundred $ down and use the ATM for anything else we need.

HTH - Bea

Some places will not take $100 bills, the reason being that is harder for us to spot counterfeit ones, and with $50 or less our losses would be lower. Haven't noticed anyone refusing old-style bills though.

Thanks for all the replies. Looking forward to our trip in June.

I interpreted Lee's question as "crisp" vs "worn", not new graphics vs old graphics...hmmm...never had any problems with any US$$$ in Bonaire, new or old. In Costa Rica, tho, the merchants will not accept worn bills or those that are marked up with odd blotches of ink (as they sometimes are), so maybe my experience there colored my thinking here. Agree with other posters, take small denominations & not too much, use the ATMs and your credit card.

Actually, oor guide said that the bills needed to be "new". This means the graphics. He explained that the merchants wanted to be able to use the features of the new bills, thread coloring etc. to determine if the bills were fake. He said that there is a lot of fake money coming out of Venezuela.