Technology on Bonaire

While Bonaire is a small island, we have a large number of modern day amenities, including a modern telephone system, several Internet service providers, cable TV, terrestrial digital TV, and a number of radio stations.

Electricity
Bonaire, Curacao, and Jamaica have two things in common. The first is that they are all located in the Caribbean. The second is that they share the same electrical power characteristics. The default power from an electrical outlet here on Bonaire is 127 Volts AC at 50 Cycles (or Hertz or Hz). This doesn't really match either the power requirements of most European appliances (220V, 50Hz) or American appliances (110V, 60Hz), and while both European standard and U.S. standard outlet connections are visible in just about all Bonairean structures, it's not always clear what voltage the outlet is running at, so it's important to check this with whomever operates the house, hotel, apartment, etc. that you'll be staying in.

Assuming you have a 127V outlet (which looks like a U.S. standard outlet typically), most resorts have transformers available for rent for your more sensitive plug-in appliances, such as battery chargers. Such transformers can also be bought in local stores such as Kooymans, Inpo, and Playa Trading for between $50 and $100.

Some things may be plugged into a 127V socket directly without a transformer, as long as you understand that some U.S. voltage specific devices may run warm, and may burn out if left plugged in for a long time. Note that many notebook computers already have universal power supplies and should work fine plugged into any outlet (check with your manufacturer or your notebook power supply for details) .

However, it is also said that Bonaire is occasionally "generous" with its power, and surges and brownouts are not uncommon. If you plug anything electronically delicate into a wall outlet, it might not be a bad idea to have a small surge protector in between. These are available at most consumer electronics stores, such as Radio Shack.

Internet Access
The Internet first made it via dial-up to Bonaire in 1997, and in the last couple of years has blossomed into ADSL, Cable, and HDSL wireless services. Speeds are not nearly as high as in the U.S. or Europe, but typically they are far better than dial-up.

Dial-up or ADSL are available through Telbo, the island's telephone company, and you can contact Flamingo TV for "Broadband" Cable Internet. Other connections are also available locally. In some cases, you can be set up for short term usage, or monthly and yearly plans.

If you are a subscriber to AT&T WorldNet service, there is a Bonaire access number you can use. You pay the out-of-region access surcharge for the plan you are on.

There are various Internet Access Centers around Bonaire where you can check your email or just use a computer for a fee. There is also a wireless "hotspot" from Flamingo Airport at the southern-most point, to Playa Lechi, north of town. This hotspot is administered by Telbo, N.V., and runs under the "Surf It" name.

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