Your flights are booked, your apartment is sorted and you’ve already got a list of snorkel spots. There’s just one more thing you shouldn’t forget: the Visitor Entry Tax. We get questions about it at our counter all the time. How much is it? Do I need to pay in advance? And do I have to pay again if I pop over to Curaçao for a few days? In this article we’ll walk you through everything, so you can head straight to your car when you land.
The Short Version
- Everyone aged 13 and over pays $75 per visit.
- Children aged 12 and under pay $10.
- You pay once per visit, whether you stay for a weekend or three months.
- You can pay online from 7 days before arrival at tourismtax.bonairegov.com.
- Your payment is valid for one month, so a quick island-hop doesn’t mean paying twice.
- Cash is not accepted, not even at the airport.
What Is the Visitor Entry Tax?
It’s a one-off tax charged by the Public Entity of Bonaire to everyone who visits the island and doesn’t live here. It was introduced on 1 July 2022 and replaced two older taxes: the room tax of $5.50 per person per night and the car rental tax of $4 per day.
That last part is actually good news if you’re renting a car. In the past, every rental day came with an extra $4 in tax on top of your rental price. That’s gone. At 123 Car Rental you see one price, with no surprises afterwards.
The tax is separate from your flight, your hotel and your rental car. You pay it directly to the government.
How Much Is the Visitor Entry Tax in 2026?
The rates haven’t changed since the tax was introduced in 2022. In 2024 a few groups were added that pay less or nothing at all.
| Who | Rate | What to show |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors aged 13 and over | $75 | Passport |
| Children aged 12 and under | $10 | Passport (to prove age) |
| Residents of Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius | $10 | Valid sédula, or a population register extract no older than 3 months |
| Born on Bonaire, living elsewhere | $10 | Passport showing Bonaire as place of birth |
| Cruise passengers | $10 | Nothing, the cruise line takes care of it |
| Bonairean students studying full-time abroad | Free | Exemption statement from Studiefinanciering BES |
| Residents of Bonaire | Free | Valid sédula |
Example: travelling as a family of four, with two adults and two children under 13? You’ll pay $75 + $75 + $10 + $10 = $170 in total.
Good to know: if you qualify for the reduced rate, bring your proof with you. If you can’t show it on arrival, you’ll pay the full $75, and getting a refund afterwards is usually not possible.
How Do You Pay?
Option 1: online in advance (our tip)
Go to the official website tourismtax.bonairegov.com. Enter your arrival date and travel party and pay by credit card (or iDEAL if you bank in the Netherlands). You’ll then receive a QR code for each traveller by email.
You can only do this from 7 days before your arrival. The system doesn’t open any earlier. Don’t leave it until the very last minute either: ideally sort it out a few days before you fly, so you have time to fix things if your payment doesn’t go through. Save the QR codes offline on your phone or print them.
With a paid QR code you simply scan it at the e-gates at Flamingo Airport and walk on to passport control.
Option 2: on arrival at the airport
There are self-service kiosks at the airport where you can still pay by credit or debit card. That works fine, but in high season (December to April) it can get very busy. And after a long flight, you’d rather be out in the sunshine.
If you plan to pay on arrival, make sure your card works abroad. More about paying on the island in our article on Bonaire’s currency, paying and tipping.
Watch out for fake websites
Some websites offer to “arrange” the tax for you for $85 to $95. That’s a waste of money: the official site doesn’t charge any extra fees. Only pay through tourismtax.bonairegov.com.
screenshot of the official website to pay the Visitor Entry Tax
How Long Is Your Payment Valid?
Your QR code is valid for one month from your first arrival. Within that month you can leave Bonaire and come back without paying again, which is handy if you want to spend a few days on Curaçao or Aruba. Not sure which island suits you? Read our guide to the ABC islands.
When you return, show your original QR code and your passport. If you’ve been away for more than a month, you’ll pay again.
Visitor Entry Tax vs. Nature Fee: Not the Same Thing
People often mix these up. They’re two separate payments, and you may need both:
| Visitor Entry Tax | Nature Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $75 (13+) / $10 | $40 |
| Valid for | 1 month | 1 calendar year |
| Who pays? | Every visitor | Anyone who enters the sea or visits Washington Slagbaai |
| Goes to | The government (Public Entity of Bonaire) | STINAPA, for the national parks |
Planning to snorkel or dive? Then budget $115 per adult for both together. Everything about the Nature Fee is in our Nature Fee 2027 guide.
From the Airport Straight Onto the Road
Paid your Visitor Entry Tax in advance? Then you’re usually through the gates quickly after landing. At 123 Car Rental we’ll be waiting for you at the airport and drive you to our office, where your car is ready. No long queues at a counter, no deposit and no deductible. Curious how it all works? Check our car rental FAQ.
Still planning your trip? Find out which airlines fly to the island in our article on flights to Bonaire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the tax every day?
No. You pay once per visit, whether you stay for a week or three months.
Can I pay in cash?
No. Online you pay by credit card or iDEAL, and at the airport by credit or debit card.
How far in advance can I pay?
From 7 days before your arrival date. Not earlier.
Do I have to pay again if I go to Curaçao and come back?
Not if you’re back within one month of your first arrival. Just show your original QR code and passport when you return.
Is the tax included in my 123 Car Rental price?
No, you pay the Visitor Entry Tax directly to the government. But good to know: the old car rental tax of $4 per day no longer exists. With us, you don’t pay any extra tax per rental day.
Ready for Your Trip?
Visitor Entry Tax sorted, Nature Fee in your pocket? Then the only thing left is the car. At 123 Car Rental every rental comes with 100% coverage, no deposit, no deductible and free cancellation, and we’ll pick you up at the airport.
Read also: Bonaire currency · Time in Bonaire · Hurricane season · Water temperature