Bonaire is globally renowned as one of the Caribbean’s premier tourist destinations. Unlike other islands where you can lounge at all-inclusive resorts, Bonaire encourages exploration. To reach its natural and historic wonders, such as the salt pans, donkey sanctuary, or top dive sites, renting a vehicle is essential.
However, booking a rental car in Bonaire can be tricky. Many travellers discover that the initial price online often does not reflect the final amount due at the rental counter, as additional taxes, insurance, and island-specific fees come into play. This guide aims to uncover these hidden fees, helping you budget accurately and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
One of the primary reasons the initial online price differs from the final bill is the inclusion of various taxes and local fees that aggregators conveniently leave out. These charges are government-mandated, so you cannot skip them.
In Bonaire, the primary tax applied to goods and services is the Algemene Bestedingsbelasting, commonly referred to as the ABB tax. This is a general expenditure tax currently set at 6%. While some agencies include this in the total, many third-party sites fail to list it in the fine print. It is essential to verify whether your quoted daily rate is inclusive of this tax, as it can add a significant amount to a two-week rental.
There has been a recent change to the entry tax system for tourists. Visitors must take note that the old per-day rental car tax has been replaced by a flat $75 visitor entry fee. This is paid once per visit, either online or upon arrival at the airport. It is vital to ensure your rental agency is not erroneously applying the old daily tax to your bill, as this can lead to double-charging for the same government service.
Facing the hidden costs typically begins the moment you step off the plane at the airport and approach the rental kiosk. Knowing the possible additional charges will help you manage your car rental expenses.
Beyond mandated local fees, location plays a massive role in your final cost. Picking up your vehicle at the Bonaire International Airport is undeniably seamless, but this convenience comes with an airport concession fee. This surcharge, often ranging between 12% and 15%, is a fee paid by the rental company to the airport authority, which is almost always passed directly to the consumer.
Furthermore, Bonaire experiences a distinct peak season that typically runs from mid-December through to mid-April. During this period, most products and services on the island, including car rentals, cost more. Agencies often apply a high-season surcharge of approximately 15% to reflect the surge in demand.
When calculating your final budget, you must include fees for driver-related charges. For example, if you are travelling with a partner who also wishes to drive, expect to pay an additional driver fee. This is usually a flat daily rate of $5 to $10. Similarly, age-related surcharges are a factor to consider. If you are under the age of 25 or over the age of 70, you may be subject to a daily surcharge or an increased insurance deductible.
For the diving community, a pickup truck is the best car to rent and drive on the island. These vehicles are perfectly suited for hauling heavy tanks and wet gear. However, even these rugged cars come with hidden costs. While many agencies provide tank racks for free, some may charge a small daily convenience fee for their installation.
Navigating car insurance in Bonaire is perhaps the most complex part of the rental process. You need to carefully read the coverage offered and make sure that all the insurance fees are included in the final quote before signing and paying.
All rental agreements include the mandatory Third-Party Liability insurance. However, this only covers damage to other people or property. To protect the vehicle itself, the agency will offer you a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). These waivers often carry a high deductible or excess, sometimes ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. This means you remain liable for a significant out-of-pocket expense for minor damage.
Many travellers rely on the car rental insurance provided by their credit cards, but this is a risky strategy in Bonaire. Most credit card insurance policies specifically exclude trucks, open-bed vehicles, and large SUVs, which are the primary vehicles used on the island. Furthermore, local agencies often require a printed Letter of Coverage from your bank if you intend to decline their local insurance. Without this specific documentation, the agency may force you to purchase their daily coverage or place a massive hold on your credit card.
To counter the high risks of island driving, many agencies offer a Super CDW or a Full Coverage option, which reduces the deductible to zero. While this can add $20 or more to your daily rate, the peace of mind it provides when driving on Bonaire’s unpaved roads is often worth the investment. It allows you to enjoy the rugged landscape without worrying about every pebble on the road.
Once you have successfully rented a car and begun your journey, a new set of small but persistent expenses will begin to emerge on the road. Most of these are unavoidable, but they are completely manageable, and you can minimise them with careful planning.
Fuel management in Bonaire requires careful planning to evade penalties, with the most common policy being Full-to-Full. You will receive the car with a full tank and must return it that way. To avoid paying for a hefty refuelling service charge, fill the tank at a gas station near the airport before dropping off the car.
Refuelling is different from other countries. Fuel prices are regulated and higher than in mainland Europe. You pay in advance at the station office before using the pump, so it's wise to slightly overestimate your fuel needs. Since there are no gas stations within the National Park or on the eastern coast, it is vital to ensure your tank is full before exploring remote areas to avoid costly towing fees.
It is also vital to be aware of the saltwater and sand policy. Bonairean rental companies are notoriously strict about the interior condition of their vehicles. If you return a truck with salt-stained seats or a cabin full of sand, you can expect a professional cleaning fee of $50 to $100. You can use covers to avoid staining the seats. Additionally, you can do a quick clean at a gas station before returning the car.
Roadside assistance is another area where policies vary wildly. Given that Bonaire’s roads are often littered with sharp rocks and debris, flat tyres are a common occurrence. If your contract does not include assistance, a single call-out for a tyre change can cost $75 or more. It is often worth asking the agent if a small daily fee can be paid to cover these specific road hazards, especially if you plan on doing a significant amount of driving on unpaved surfaces.
A lost key in Bonaire can result in a staggering $300 charge. Modern electronic key fobs are incredibly expensive to replace, especially on an island where they must be specially ordered and shipped from overseas. This is a common hidden cost for divers who may accidentally take their electronic fobs into the water. Keeping your keys in a waterproof pouch or a secure location at the beach is paramount to avoiding this significant penalty.
Now that you know the potential hidden fees, there are a few things that you can do to avoid paying for them and minimise your rental expenses. These practical tips will help you save money and maximise your budget.
Understanding the nuances of the Bonairean car rental market is not meant to discourage you from securing a car, but rather to empower you. By knowing exactly what to look for, you can book a vehicle with confidence. Do not let the complexity of these details daunt you. Now that you are armed with this knowledge, you are prepared to handle the process with ease.
The autonomy provided by a rental car is what makes a trip to Bonaire truly special. It allows you to wake up at dawn to watch the flamingos and spend an afternoon at a secluded dive site without waiting for a taxi. Do not miss out on the freedom of the open road and the ability to explore every corner of this beautiful island.
Use this guide as your roadmap to secure the best rates and start your adventure. Rent your vehicle from Final Rentals today and prepare to unlock the wonders of Bonaire on your own terms. You can easily and safely book via our website or through our mobile app, which is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.
