Bonaire Airport: Free Wifi Availability And Quality

Bonaire Airport, also known as Flamingo Airport Bonaire (BON), does offer free WiFi to its visitors. However, the WiFi speed is reportedly slow, with both upload and download speeds of 0.38 Mbps. This information was last updated in May 2023. While free WiFi is available at the airport, finding free WiFi in the rest of Bonaire may be more challenging. Most hotels and resorts provide WiFi, but some charge a fee for access.

Bonaire Airport WiFi is free

If you're travelling through Bonaire Airport, you'll be pleased to know that WiFi is available throughout the airport and it won't cost you a cent.

How to connect

To connect to the WiFi, search for available connections on your device and select the network named "surf-it". No password is required, so you can connect as soon as you're in range.

Connection speed

While the WiFi at Bonaire Airport is free, the connection speed may be quite slow. According to one source, the upload and download speeds are both 0.38 Mbps. Another source reports even slower speeds of 0.07 Mbps for downloading and 0.06 Mbps for uploading.

WiFi in Bonaire

If you're looking for free WiFi outside of the airport, you may find it more difficult to come by. Some hotels and resorts provide WiFi, but some may charge a fee for access. A few places that offer free WiFi in Bonaire include Lilly's Ice Cream and Elle's Deli.

WiFi connection speed

Bonaire International Airport does offer free WiFi, but several users have reported that the connection speed is very slow.

According to a user on TripAdvisor, as of May 2023, the WiFi at the airport was free but very slow. Another user in the BON departure gate area reported that while the WiFi signal was strong, the speed was "terribly slow", with both upload and download speeds being 0.38 Mbps.

Instabridge, a WiFi hotspot app, lists the connection speed for Flamingo Airport Bonaire (BON) as 0.07 Mbps for download and 0.06 Mbps for upload.

While free WiFi is available at the airport, the slow speeds may make it frustrating for users who need to perform tasks that require a fast and stable connection. It may be more suitable for light browsing or sending text-based messages.

Additionally, while not specific to the airport, a discussion on the availability of free WiFi in Bonaire on TripAdvisor suggests that free WiFi can be found at some hotels, resorts, and restaurants like Lilly's Ice Cream and Elle's Deli. However, some of these places may charge a fee for basic internet access.

No password required

If you're travelling through Bonaire Airport and want to connect to the WiFi, you're in luck! The airport does offer free WiFi, and you don't even need a password to connect. Simply search for WiFi connections on your smartphone or mobile device and select "surf-it".

While the WiFi is free, some travellers have reported that the speed is quite slow, with both upload and download speeds of 0.38 Mbps. However, this may vary depending on your location within the airport and the time of day.

In addition to the airport WiFi, some hotels and resorts in Bonaire also provide WiFi for their guests, although some may charge a fee for access. If you're planning to stay in Bonaire, it's a good idea to check with your accommodation provider to see if they offer WiFi and whether there are any associated costs.

For those who need more reliable or consistent WiFi access, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card with data may be a good option. This will allow you to stay connected not only at the airport but also throughout your stay in Bonaire.

WiFi availability in Bonaire hotels

Bonaire, a Caribbean island, offers a range of options for those seeking WiFi access during their stay. While public free WiFi may not be widely available, many hotels, resorts, cafes, and restaurants provide WiFi access, with some offering it free of charge.

When it comes to specific locations, the Harbour Village Beach Club, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino, and Plaza Beach & Dive Resort Bonaire are mentioned as places to stay that offer WiFi. However, it is unclear whether this is a free service or a paid one. For those looking for free WiFi, Lilly's Ice Cream place and Elle's Deli are recommended.

Additionally, the WiFi Map app can be a useful tool for locating free WiFi hotspots in Bonaire. This app provides information on millions of WiFi hotspots worldwide, and users can also add their own hotspot findings to the community-driven platform.

For those arriving by air, Bonaire International Airport does offer free WiFi. However, reviews indicate that the connection may be slow. To access the WiFi, search for available networks on your device and select "surf-it".

Prepaid SIM cards for internet access

If you're looking for a way to stay connected while in Bonaire, getting a local prepaid SIM card is a great option. Here's everything you need to know about prepaid SIM cards for internet access in Bonaire:

Where to Buy

You can purchase a Bonairean SIM card from Digicel or Flow/Chippie (formerly UTS). These SIM cards are available at the companies' official stores on Kaya Grandi (numbers 26 and 32, respectively). Unfortunately, they are not available at the Bonaire/Kralendijk-Flamingo International Airport (BON).

Cost and Plans

The cost of a prepaid SIM card in Bonaire varies depending on the provider. Here are the prices and plan details for each provider:

• Digicel: You can get a Digicel SIM card for $14 USD with $10 USD of credit included. They offer both combo plans with data, minutes, and SMS, as well as data-only plans. Their coverage is extensive in Bonaire, with most populated areas covered by 4G/LTE.
• Flow/Chippie: A Flow/Chippie SIM card will cost you $16 USD and comes with $11 USD of credit. They also offer combo plans and data-only plans. Their coverage is similarly extensive, but with slightly slower speeds compared to Digicel.

Registration and Compatibility

When purchasing a SIM card in Bonaire, you will need to provide your passport information for registration. Additionally, your phone must be unlocked and support the frequencies used in Bonaire. Bonaire uses a mix of American and European frequencies for 3G, and exclusively European frequencies for 2G and 4G/LTE. Make sure to check the frequency compatibility of your phone before purchasing a SIM card.

Alternative Option

If you are departing from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, you can also pick up a Bonaire SIM card from Airport Telecom. This SIM card provides 20GB of data, 60 minutes of calls to local numbers, the EU, and the US, and a local Bonaire phone number. The data bundle is valid for 14 days after activation. This option allows you to stay connected from the moment you arrive in Bonaire.

Frequently asked questions