Your First Day
You're 18 years old with $250 and the clothes on your back. The island of Bonaire spreads before you — here's what to do first.
Starting conditions
Every new player starts at age %18 with %$250 in the bank. You begin at your grandmother's house in Rincon, the oldest village on Bonaire. No job, no land, no permits — just your wits and the island's network of neighbors and kompadres.
What to expect
Before you set out, understand the economics. Minimum wage on Bonaire covers less than the cost of living for a single person. Most Bonaireans survive through a combination of formal work, informal side jobs, kunuku farming, and multi-generation households.
With rent at $%550/month and food at $%200/month, a minimum-wage salary of $%825/month leaves you $%825 - $%550 - $%200 = a shortfall. This is realistic — most Bonaireans supplement formal income with informal work, family support, and kunuku food production.
Walkthrough
Follow these steps to get established on Bonaire. You don't need to complete everything in one game-day, but the sooner you have income and housing, the better.
Wake up in Rincon
You start the game at your grandmother's house in Rincon, the oldest village on Bonaire. You're 18 years old with $250 to your name. Talk to Grandma — she knows everyone.
Action: Talk to your grandmother in the kitchen.
Take the bus to Kralendijk
The bus from Rincon to Kralendijk runs regularly. It's your lifeline to the island's main town where jobs, offices, and services are concentrated.
Action: Board the bus at Rincon station. The ride takes about 30 game-minutes.
Visit the market
The Kralendijk market is the social hub of the island. Vendors sell food and goods, and important NPCs can connect you to work.
Action: Find a market vendor at the fritchi stand and ask about work opportunities.
Apply for a work permit
To take formal employment on Bonaire you need a work permit. Processing takes 1-3 game days. Until then, you can do odd jobs from the bulletin board.
Action: Visit the Public Administration Office in Kralendijk and submit a permit application.
Find your first job
With or without a permit, you need income. Check the bulletin board for same-day odd jobs, or ask NPCs for leads. Kompadres and neighbors are your best job-finding network.
Action: Take any available job — even low-paying work beats having no income.
Secure housing
Rent in Bonaire runs about $550/month for a single-person household. You may need to share housing initially until your income stabilizes.
Action: Look for affordable housing near your job. Shared housing with NPCs can reduce costs.
Build relationships
Social standing matters on Bonaire. Talk to people, help neighbors, attend church. Strong relationships unlock better jobs, emergency help, and festival invitations.
Action: Greet at least three NPCs. Visit a church service. Build your kompader network.
After your first day
If you've completed these steps, you've done well. You've crossed the island, met key NPCs, started the permit process, and found your first income. Most importantly, you've started building the social network that sustains life on Bonaire.
With your first day behind you: check your permit status at the Public Administration Office, explore higher-paying jobs as your skills grow, consider saving for a kunuku plot, attend church or community events to build social standing, and listen to Island Radio for opportunities.