Emergency Services Guide in Bonaire
Emergency numbers, response times, hospital systems, and trauma centers
• Emergency Number: 911 (police, fire, medical)
• Ambulance Response: 10-15 minutes in Kralendijk urban area, 20-30 minutes in remote areas
• Hospital Coverage: Single public hospital (Fundashon Mariadal) serves entire island; limited emergency services
• Trauma Centers: No Level 1 trauma center; serious cases airlifted to Curaçao or Netherlands
• Language Support: Dutch and Papiamento primary; English spoken in tourist areas and hospital
• Insurance: Travel/health insurance strongly recommended for all international visitors
Emergency Numbers
Universal
911
Police
911
Fire
911
Medical
911
Other Numbers
Response Times
Urban Areas
~12 min
Rural Areas
~25 min
Response times vary significantly based on location. Urban Kralendijk typically 10-15 minutes; remote southern and eastern areas 20-30+ minutes. Limited ambulance resources on small island.
Hospital System
Bonaire has one public hospital (Fundashon Mariadal) in Kralendijk serving approximately 20,000 residents. Limited emergency department capacity and specialist services. Serious trauma, cardiac emergencies, and complex cases require air evacuation to Curaçao or Netherlands. No 24/7 specialist coverage.
Major Trauma Centers
Bonaire has no Level 1 or Level 2 trauma centers. Fundashon Mariadal provides basic emergency care only. All serious trauma cases are airlifted to Curaçao (Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital) or to the Netherlands for definitive care.
Specialized Care:
- Basic emergency stabilization only
- Air ambulance evacuation to Curaçao/Netherlands
- Limited surgical capability
- No burn center
- No poison control center on-island
Language Support
English is widely understood in Kralendijk and tourist areas. Hospital staff in emergency department speak English. Papiamento and Dutch are official languages. For non-English speakers, translation services can be arranged through hospital.
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