Bid'i Kunuku — Life on Bonaire

How the economy works

Bonaire's economy runs on tourism, trade, and construction. Employers post openings at the government bulletin board in Kralendijk, and shifts become available every game-day morning. Most jobs pay a daily wage — you show up, work your shift, and collect your pay at sunset.

$4.76/hr Minimum wage

$825/mo Monthly at 40hr/week

8h Shift length

Where to work

When you first arrive on Bonaire, head to the government bulletin board in central Kralendijk. Employers with open slots are listed with their daily pay, location, and any skill requirements. Jobs marked "None" for skill can be started right away — no training required.

Employer	Kind	Location	Pay/day	Skill required	Slots
bld salt Cargill Salt Works	salt_works	pekelmeer	$100	None required	4
bld employer Deepsea Freediving	dive_shop	santa_barbara	$95	culture lvl 5	1
bld employer AB-Dive Bonaire	dive_shop	belnem	$90	culture lvl 3	2
bld employer Wannadive Windsock	dive_shop	belnem	$90	culture lvl 3	2
bld employer Bonaire Scuba School	dive_shop	plaza	$85	culture lvl 4	1
bld employer Harbour Village	resort	belnem	$85	None required	3
bld employer Delfins Beach Resort	resort	santa_barbara	$80	None required	4
bld employer Plaza Beach Resort	resort	plaza	$80	None required	3
bld govt STINAPA Ranger	park_ranger	slagbaai	$80	culture lvl 2	2
bld employer Sunset Beach Lodges	resort	belnem	$75	None required	2
bld hardware Water Company	utility	hato	$75	mechanical lvl 2	1
bld employer Bonaire Tours & Guides	tour_operator	kralendijk	$70	culture lvl 2	2
bld airport Harbour Operations	port	kralendijk	$70	None required	3
bld bar At Sea Restaurant	restaurant	plaza	$65	None required	2
bld bar Altagracia Grill	restaurant	belnem	$60	None required	2
bld bar Bon Tapas	restaurant	kralendijk	$60	None required	3
bld general store Carrefour	supermarket	kralendijk	$60	None required	4
bld hardware Renovation Services	construction	antriol	$60	None required	2
bld hardware Island Construction	construction	tera_kora	$55	None required	3
bld market D'Tera Market	market	nikiboko	$55	None required	2
bld garage Auto Service Rincón	mechanics	rincon	$50	mechanical lvl 1	1
bld garage Garage Pedro	mechanics	antriol	$50	mechanical lvl 1	2
bld hardware Island Goat Farm	farm	slagbaai	$40	None required	2
bld govt Donkey Sanctuary	sanctuary	slagbaai	$30	None required	3

Getting started

Each shift lasts 8 game-hours. You can work one shift per day. Arrive at the job site before the shift starts (typically 8 AM game time) to clock in. Late arrivals may lose the slot to another worker. After your shift, your pay is automatically deposited to your bank account.

Some employers adjust shifts based on weather and seasonal demand. Construction sites may close during heavy rain, and tourist-facing businesses hire more staff during peak season (December–April). Watch the island radio for announcements.

bld salt

Cargill Salt Works

$100/day

pekelmeer

bld employer

Harbour Village

$85/day

belnem

bld employer

Delfins Beach Resort

$80/day

santa_barbara

Fastest path to stability

If you need money quickly, Cargill Salt Works offers the highest entry-level pay at $100/day. A full work-week there nets you enough to cover food, rent, and a small savings cushion.

Remember: you need a valid work permit to take formal employment on Bonaire. Apply at the Public Administration Office in Kralendijk. Permit processing takes 1–3 game days. Until your permit is approved, you can still earn money through informal side work — check the bulletin board for odd jobs.