My wife and I are eagerly looking forward to our seventh trip to Bonaire on Oct. 15th. Unfortunately, due to gross incompetence at the travel agent we used (why I used one for the first time in 7 years I'll never know)we have an 8 hour layover in Aruba (arrival 1:45, depart 10pm). Does anyone know if Bonaire Express will store our luggage and a beach with restaurant to go to to kill the time? We're open to other idea, although we don't gamble, but 8 hours at the airport seems boring and a waste. Also, since we'll be getting to Bonaire to late to pick up our rental, does anyone know if there are taxis available at the Bonaire airport around midnight? Thanks for your help.

Geoffrey, check out Cecil's trip report. He mentions a place they went to on Aruba during their layover

As far as the taxi's...hopefully someone will know!

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/240750.html?1128034026

If a plane is coming in, there will be a taxi! They are even there to meet the 3am KLM flight.
Check with your accommodation too, they might organise a transfer.

Had long layovers going and coming..

1. Go to the ticket counter - where you would check in, not just the booth where you would buy a ticket, and verify that they do not have last minute space on an earlier flight. We had a three hour layover, not enough to do much with, but did not want to hold onto our bags at the airport, and when asked, they took our bags and stashed them behind the counter.

2. On the return we had a longer layover and took a taxis downtown, a total waste. Very touristy. Lots of folks go to a hotel, have a meal, some bring a swim suit and get wet for a while.

3. and yes there will be taxis at 10 pm

Geoffrey, the luggage is the challenge, for that long I'd rent a car and stash the luggage in the car. A car will cost around $60. The other option is to take the luggage and bribe a porter at a resort to store it for you. They will be happy to do that. Taxis on Aruba are on fixed fares, $20 to high risers, $17 to low risers and $15 downtown (AFAIR).

Geoff,

We had the same situation a couple of years back and got a rental car on an hourly rate and explored the island on our own. It was a Beetle (OLD Beetle) with light visible through the floorboards, and needed a clutch, but ran, after a fashion.

have a great trip!

David

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Right now it looks like the gods are smiling on us as our travel agent claims that we got bumped to the 6:00pm flight so we only have a four hour layover. If that doesn't happen in reality we'll make use of your ideas. Thanks.