Vacation rentals, also known as short-term rentals, are not allowed everywhere on Bonaire. Since Bonaire attracts many tourists, the OLB (Public Entity Bonaire) aims to regulate tourism to some extent. For this reason, short-term rentals are not permitted in residential areas, among other things to protect the quality of life in these neighborhoods. An article on Bonaire.nu explains this clearly: click here.
Whether you are allowed to rent out a property for less than 3 months depends on the zoning designation of the lot under the Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Bonaire (ROB), Bonaire’s Spatial Development Plan. Rentals for a period of 90 days or longer are permitted throughout Bonaire. Different rules apply to vacation rentals of less than 90 days, and the zoning designation of the lot determines whether this is allowed.
Vacation rentals ARE allowed
Short-term rentals, meaning rentals of less than 90 days, are permitted in areas with the following zoning designations under the Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Bonaire:
# Recreatie-Verblijfsrecreatie
# Gemengd-I
# Gemengd-IV
# Gemengd-VI
# Centrum (hotels and existing vacation accommodations dating from before 2022)
If a property is located in an area where vacation rentals are not permitted under the applicable zoning designation, the owner cannot simply apply for an exemption or permission to rent out the property on a short-term basis.
Vacation rentals are NOT allowed
Vacation rentals are not permitted in Bonaire’s regular residential areas. This includes the following zoning designations:
# Woongebied-I
# Woongebied-II
# Woongebied-III
# Woongebied Landschappelijk
# Agrarisch-Kunuku
This means, for example, that a property located in Woongebied-II may not be rented out to tourists for periods of less than 90 days.
In addition, the Bonaire government has been actively enforcing the rules against illegal vacation rentals in residential areas since 2024.
How do you check a property’s zoning designation?
You can check the zoning designation of a lot on the digital map of the Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Bonaire. The different zoning areas are indicated by colors on the map. Click on the lot whose zoning designation you want to check. A pop-up will appear with information about the lot. Sometimes this information is divided across several tabs. In that case, click left or right to view all the information.
What information can you find on the ROB map?
In addition to the zoning designation of the lot, the map provides other useful information, including:
# the maximum building coverage percentage;
# the maximum building height;
# the maximum gutter height;
# a link to the regulations that apply to the relevant zoning designation.
If a lot is designated Woongebied-II, for example, vacation rentals are not permitted. If it is designated Gemengd-I, short-term rentals are allowed.
Please note: the deed of transfer for a property may contain additional provisions or restrictions. You should therefore check not only the zoning designation under the ROB, but also the property’s deed of transfer.
How do you use the ROB map?
On a phone or tablet, you can use two fingers to zoom in and out and one finger to move around the map.
On a computer, you can use your mouse’s scroll wheel to zoom in and out. The map will zoom in on the location of your cursor. You can also hold down the Control key and use + and – to zoom in or out.
Then click on the relevant lot to view its zoning designation and other information.
Vacation rentals versus long-term rentals
The distinction between vacation rentals and regular rentals is important. Rentals for less than 90 days are considered short-term rentals, and the zoning designation of the lot must allow vacation rentals. Renting out a property for 3 months or longer is permitted throughout Bonaire. A property that cannot be used as a vacation rental because of its zoning designation can therefore still be rented out for a longer period. For owners considering buying a property on Bonaire as an investment, this is an important distinction. Before purchasing a property, always check whether its zoning designation is compatible with the way you intend to rent it out.
How does Harbourtown Real Estate handle this?
For properties offered for sale by Harbourtown Real Estate, we indicate in the basic property information whether vacation rentals are permitted under the applicable zoning designation. We also include a link to the zoning map with each property, allowing you to check the zoning designation and the relevant information yourself.
Harbourtown Real Estate also assists with residential rentals on Bonaire. We rent out properties for periods of at least 6 weeks. Please note that rentals of between 6 weeks and 90 days are only possible if vacation rentals are permitted under the zoning designation of the lot. From 90 days onward, this restriction does not apply.
Would you like to rent out your property? Read our blog Rent out your property on Bonaire, where we explain more about renting out a property and our services.
Are you planning to buy a property on Bonaire with the intention of renting it out? Before purchasing, check which type of rental is permitted at that location. Harbourtown Real Estate can help you with this.
Summary: vacation rentals on Bonaire
Vacation rentals are not permitted everywhere on Bonaire. For rentals of less than 90 days, the zoning designation of the lot determines whether short-term rentals are allowed. Short-term rentals are not permitted in regular residential areas, while they are allowed in several other zoning areas.
Rentals for 90 days or longer are permitted throughout Bonaire. Therefore, always check the Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Bonaire and the deed of transfer before buying a property that you intend to rent out.
Would you like to buy, sell or rent out a property on Bonaire? Harbourtown Real Estate will be happy to help and advise you about the rental possibilities for the property.
Your specialist in Real Estate!
Our real estate agent on Bonaire is ready to assist you in finding your dream home or perhaps the right piece of land on which you can build your own home or oceanfront villa. We are also ready to help you in listing your property for sale or rent. Since 1989, Harbourtown Real Estate has been the designated place to help you fulfill your wishes.
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Bonaire - Dutch Caribbean
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