Bonaire, off the coast of Venezuela near Curaçao and Aruba, and Saba and Sint Eustatius, known as Statia, far to the north near Sint Maarten, are special municipalities of the Netherlands, together called the Caribbean Netherlands. They are not part of the EU, so they are not covered by Roam Like at Home, and a Dutch SIM roams here on its operator's own terms like any other European one. Each island also runs its own immigration checks, so treat a hop between them as a trip abroad.
Key facts for Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Setel and Digicel (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: police 911; ambulance 911 or 913; fire 911 or 912; coastguard 913
- Embassies: none; British consular help comes from The Hague, and Canada covers Bonaire from Bogotá
Three islands, three immigration desks
British visitors can stay up to 3 months on each island without a visa, with a passport that expires at least 6 months after the day they arrive, and they must carry it when travelling from one island to another. A yellow fever certificate is required if you come from a country with a risk of transmission, and customs rules are strict. Bonaire also charges a visitor entry tax, paid online on the government's official site. Local laws are similar to those of the Netherlands, and you must always carry identification, such as a copy of your passport.
Drug couriers and baggage checks
Smugglers use the islands to move drugs from South America to Europe and North America. Never leave your bags unattended, never agree to carry a package for anyone, and expect Dutch authorities to screen passengers and luggage arriving from Bonaire, Saba and Statia.
Taxis, roads and petty crime
Bonaire has no public bus service, so taxis are the only public transport. Licensed taxis carry number plates marked TX and charge flat rates by destination set by the government, but agree the fare before you get in, as most have no meters. The main roads are in good condition, but many drivers ignore traffic laws and animals wander onto the tarmac. A UK photocard licence is valid on all three islands, though hire companies may ask for a year of driving experience and a higher minimum age. Petty theft and bag snatching happen, so keep valuables out of sight and avoid isolated places, beaches included, after dark. On Bonaire the currency is the US dollar.
Storms and medical care
The Caribbean hurricane season normally runs from June to November. Most hurricanes pass well to the north of Bonaire, which has no record of a recent major one, though tropical storms do occur, while Saba and Statia, like many islands in the northern and eastern Caribbean, have been hit by severe hurricanes; follow the Meteorological Department Curaçao and the US National Hurricane Center. Earthquakes can also occur on Bonaire. Healthcare there is of a standard equivalent to the European Netherlands, but Saba and Statia only have an extensive GP practice, and complicated cases are evacuated to the hospital on St Maarten. The EHIC and the UK's GHIC are not valid on any of the islands, so take insurance that covers treatment and repatriation.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up before departure connects as soon as you land. The plans for the three islands run on Setel and Digicel, depending on the plan, on 4G; a Caribbean plan also covers Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, handy for the connecting flights, and a World plan suits a longer trip. Keep your home SIM for bank texts, with data roaming off.
Consular protection: who to call in Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius
- Call 911 for the police, an ambulance or the fire service; 913 also reaches an ambulance and the coastguard, and 912 the fire service.
- There are no embassies on the islands. British nationals are covered by the British Embassy in The Hague, and Canadians on Bonaire by the Embassy of Canada in Bogotá, Colombia.
- Look up in the Telcomia app the mission that covers the Caribbean Netherlands for your passport, and save its number before you fly.
- Dutch is the official language; Papiamentu is widely spoken on Bonaire, and English on Saba and Sint Eustatius.
Questions travellers ask about Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius
Will my EU SIM work on the islands?
Only on roaming at your operator's own rates, because the Caribbean Netherlands are outside Roam Like at Home. That applies to Dutch SIMs too, unless the operator includes the islands.
Do I need my passport to travel between the islands?
Yes. Each island handles immigration separately, so carry your passport on every hop.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use there?
Setel or Digicel, depending on the plan, on 4G.
Is my EHIC valid?
No. Neither the EHIC nor the GHIC is accepted, so travel with health insurance and funds for emergencies.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, carry your passport between islands, pay Bonaire's entry tax online, never carry anyone's package, agree taxi fares in advance, watch the hurricane season on Saba and Statia, travel with health insurance, and save 911.
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