Cell Service On Bonaire?

[PARADISE HUNTER]

How is the cell service on Bonaire? I hope to not be on my phone at all during vacation, but sometimes it's necessary.

Thanks,

PH

 

[kevmiami]

Didn't actually make any calls, but when I turned on my AT&T iphone 4 (previously activated international services), I consistently got 3 to 4 bars around town and the populated coast. I did not bring it with me in the national park or along the north coast were the heavy-duty radio towers are located. Cheers, Kevin.

 

[herbdb]

Install a Skype app on the phone and make calls through an internet connection for .02/min.

 

[akirawut]

I made calls, sent and received text messages, and checked voicemail on a Telus phone from Canada. Shouldn't have any trouble as long as you have a current phone. If you have some older CDMA phone or something you might have issues.

 

[drrich2]

I've made phone calls with an iPhone (it was probably a 3GS, but I don't remember for certain) from Eden Beach Resort in Bonaire in the past.

Richard.

 

[bombadil1977]

I have an unlocked flipphone that I brought with me before, and bought a local network sim card there for calls and sms and 'topped it up' when needed.

 

[SailNaked]

My memory from last visit was that my phone did not work, maybe because it was in the hotel safe, Im not certain. we did over 26 hours underwater in 6 days, and I am certain it did not work there either.

 

[maxguru]

This won't do you much good around the island, but if the resort you're staying in has wi-fi, you may be able to configure your phone to talk via the internet, rather than via cell towers. It saved me some wicked roaming charges when I was in Bonaire last November.

max

 

[Mossman]

Bonaire has GSM and CDMA, so any sort of cell phone should work, it's just a matter of how much. If you need to be on the phone and can't Skype, prepaid phone cards are cheaper than cell phone minutes/roaming. You can buy them at Chat-n-Browse among other places.

 

[PARADISE HUNTER]

Thanks for the replies folks. All post were spot on. Just got back on Sunday. My Verizon phone was able to send and receive texts and calls. Luckly I only got a couple of each. One note, all my calls came through on the caller i d as restriced and I wasn't able to access voice mail. Probably a solution to both, but I wasn't that motivated to correct either.

We had a a great trip and will return!

PH