North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is an Honorary Consulate in Curaçao which is responsible for the delivery of Consular Services for the BES Islands - Bonaire, St. Eustatius & Saba. See General - Consular Assistance. The Honorary Consulate is supported by the British High Commission in Barbados.
  
  
• You should be aware that the Islands are used as a drug passageway from South America to Europe and North America. Never leave bags unattended nor agree to carry a package for anyone.
  
  
• The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. See Natural Disasters.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General -Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For further information see Terrorism Abroad page of the FCO website.

Safety and Security - Crime

Most visits to the Dutch Caribbean are trouble-free. However, petty theft and street crime is a concern. There is violent crime amongst members of the illegal drugs world, but this rarely affects tourists. The main tourist areas are generally safe, but you are advised to take normal precautions and, for example, do not wander alone off the main roads, especially at night. Never take valuables to the beach. Make sure purses and handbags are closed and not easy to snatch.

The islands continue to be used to smuggle illegal drugs from South America to Europe and North America. You should have a heightened sense of awareness of this problem and never leave bags unattended. Under no circumstances should you discuss or agree to carry a package for anyone. Some airports have installed "body scanners" and it is possible you may be required to have a scan. Dutch authorities generally screen all baggage and passengers from the Dutch Caribbean.

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel

Small buses are available to get around the islands. When taking a taxi, always check that it is a registered one and negotiate the price before taking the ride. Most taxis do not have meters. You should avoid remote areas at night.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel

Traffic drives on the right-hand side. Main road conditions are relatively good, but roads can become slippery when wet.

See our Driving Abroad page.

By Dutch law, you must always carry your ID. We recommend you have a copy of your passport with you at all times. Local laws are essentially similar to Dutch law. See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

Tourist entry is generally only for 14 days. Extensions are available at immigration.
EU passport holders may stay for up to three months, but must get an extension first from immigration.

Immigration is handled on an island to island basis so your passport is needed even when travelling from one island to another.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba.

For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Royal Netherlands Embassy in London.

Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Our Travel Health pages offer further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

The hurricane season in the Dutch Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the Meteorological department of Curacao (servicing all Islands within the Dutch Kingdom)  and the World Meteorological Organisation. You can also access the National Hurricane Centre. Please also see our Tropical cyclones page for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

Most hurricanes pass well to the north of Bonaire, which has no record of a recent major hurricane; there are occasional tropical storms. However, Statia and Saba, and many other islands in the northern and eastern Caribbean have experienced some quite severe hurricanes in the last decade.

General - Insurance

You should always take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

General – BES Islands

On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (now known as the BES islands) became special municipalities of the Netherlands. Bonaire lies within 50 miles of Venezuela, whilst St Eustatius (Statia) and Saba are some 600 miles to the north east, about 100 miles east of Puerto Rico.
 

General - Language

Dutch, Papiamento, Spanish and English are spoken in the BES Islands with Dutch being the official language. In Bonaire the Creole language, Papiamento (a mixture of Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, English and French), is widely spoken. English is mostly used in Saba & St. Eustatius.

General - Consular Registration

You should register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Consular Assistance

There is an Honorary Consulate in Curaçao where you can obtain consular services and general assistance.  This Consulate is supported by the British High Commission in Barbados.

General - Money  
Since 1 January 2011 the local currency is the US Dollar.

ATM machines (Maestro/Cirrus) are situated throughout the islands. Major credit cards are accepted in practically all tourist establishments.