My future wife Stephanie and I will be getting married on August the 3rd. Our original plans were to visit the Cayman Islands or one of the Virgin islands. We talked to a couple differant people that have been to them both and they all suggested coming to Bonaire since we will be going in the middle of hurricane season and Bonaire is out of the hurricane belt.

I have been looking at Bonaire on differant websites and we are both very impressed, but one thing that concerns us is that we are not divers and it seems as though this is a very diver freindly island.

So now I will open it up to all of you that have spent time in Bonaire and hopefully you can give us some advice.

Suggestions on accomodations, it is our honeymoon so we want it to be fairly nice. Is there any certain things we should definately see while we are there??? Approximate cost on expenses while we are there. Airfare for us is around $1300 from Baltimore.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. She is planning the wedding and I get to plan the honeymoon so just trying to make it the best week of our lives.

Thanks again
Chris and Stephanie

Congrats..what a FABULOUS place to start your new life. Too bad Harbour Village is not open. That would be divine.

I think the oceanfront Jr. Suites at Plaza are dreamy. Also the oceanfront units at Divi are lovely to sit on the balcony and hear the waves lapping against the rocks. Habitat's suites are nice as well and then there are private villa options..

Annie
Cape Cod

Chris, I would go to Plaza ..as Annie said...Oceanfront Jr suites are beautiful...the resort is very nice..has a good beach, nice bars, a casino. The snorkleing is great if you are non divers. There are great restaurants and bars scattered all over the island...We will gladly help you out in finding all of them...but its your honeymoon so I don't think you will need much entertainment! Good Luck!

Chris, Congratulations

We have been travelling to BON for 5 years now, I'm not a diver (yet), but can tell you this.. you don't need to be! The snorkeling on BON is wonderful.. Annie's suggestion of Plaza Resort is a very good one indeed. We've stayed there a couple of times, and liked it very much.. though we tend to stay in private accom now.. but that's only because we like to BBQ/entertain at home

http://www.plazaresortbonaire.com

Also, another very nice Oceanfront Resort is the Belmar..

http://www.belmar-bonaire.com

Belmar has really spacious rooms with large balconies.. they also have a penthouse deluxe (if you really want to spoil yourselves)! Both Resorts are within very close proximity to the Airport and Town.. You will have a well equipped kitchen, so you can lay in bed or sit on the terrace and have your morning coffee!

The snorkeling off the sandy beach at Plaza is very good.. plenty of marine life.. and a resident Barracuda who's always delighted to meet you! The snorkeling at Belmar is great too!

Bonaire accepts US$ as well as the NAFl.. (no Euros)!

If you can pull yourselves away from the Resort, I would suggest visiting Washington Slagbaai Park, the Salt Works, Slave Huts, Klein Bonaire and some of the other snorkeling sites around the island.. I recommend 1000 steps! Make sure you hire a car! Do it in advance if you can.

There are two Supermarkets on BON where you can pick up coffee/milk etc.. Cultimara and Warehouse..

The Cayman Islands are beautiful, but better to go there out of Hurricane Season

Also: take a look at http://www.infobonaire.com

Have a wonderful trip..

S

Chris,

I guess I will be a voice of difference here. I am a diver and have been on several wonderful trips to Bonaire, it is my favorite dive destination in the world bar none. In comparison to other dive destinations, Cozumel, Curacao, Hawaii, etc there is very little to do on Bonaire. You can go to the park at the end of the island, or out to eat. There are no real beaches, it is not tropical it is a desert, the snorkeling is good, but then it is good in the BVI's too.

Do not get me wrong, I LOVE this place, but I am a diver. If I were on my honeymoon I would go to the BVI's, or Tahiti. Even Curacao offers more to do. You COULD learn how to dive and then I think that you would find that Bonaire is like no where else in its freedom, diversity of diving, and ease.

You may be the kind of folks that make your own fun and therefore it would not matter where you are.... Congratulations on your marriage I wish you both long and happy lives together.

Now just a minute....Ok, I have arrow proof armor on now.....

David

David...you can take your armor off...Everyone has an opinion!

Chris,
Both my husband and I were avid divers-- From mid April thru Oct we dove almost every weekend and during the summer months many an after dinner dive. We came to Bonaire 12 years ago only by accident and fell in love with the island and the people. We've to to many islands and always kept coming back to Bonaire. We enjoyed the island so much that we bought a home 2 years ago. For the past 3 years we have been vacationing on Bonaire 2x per year and yes I am guilty-- never have dove here-- nor anywhere else in the Caribbean.
I think that if you decide to Honeymoon in Bonaire and are looking for a fast pace, expansive beaches you will not find that here. However you do not need to be a diver to appreciate the island and all it has to offer.

Thanks Meryl, I'm glad I can take this stuff off it's heavy! My comments to Chris not withstanding (and I stand by them), I cannot wait to get back in April, my sons are getting certified and we will all being diving together for the first time!

see ya on the PBD thread!

Presumably you've posted a similar message on the Cayman site Chris?
I don't understand your concern about the hurricane season. Sure if you were a diver like most of us writing on these pages it's a major consideration. However........on your honeymoon there'll probably be such a storm caused by flailing limbs under a sea of swirling sheets that you wouldn't notice if you were caught up in a twister...No?
As a diver I'd choose Bonaire every time, but in your shoes (you lucky devil) I'd plump for Grand Cayman. It will cost you more because it's hellish expensive to survive once you're there, but on the rare times that you stagger from your hotel room, you'll find that the romantisism of an evening strolling hand in hand between the palms of Seven Mile beach takes some beating.
Must close now & find Marcia....those distant happy memories have caused a stirring in my loins!

Run Marsha!

Towards me Meryl?

not what I had in mind....

Andy,

How would one get to the Cayman Talk site. Is it kinda like this place...( is anyplace like this place....)

Thanks,
David

"One" would hopefully not be so disloyal as to even try, Dave!
"anyplace like this place?"...methinks not.

Andy, you slay me!

Not trying to be disloyal, but if being below the hurrican belt with sandy beaches and a lot of "non diving stuff" to do, is a priority, then try looking into Aruba. Flights are better, and there are lots of RESORT type of places with sandy beaches.

I love Bonaire, but would be hard pressed to recommend it for non divers on a honeymoon.

Now I will run away and hide from the rest of the BTer's that might take offense in this suggestion.

Perhaps we should establish Steph & Chris's approximate ages before we offer any more "helpful" advice.
It's just occured to me that there's no obvious reason why they both might not be pensioners.
Just to cover that possibility, I'd still opt for Grand Cayman which is probably a little more Wrinkly friendly, having less dead broken coral fringing its shoreline to ensnare the unwary wheelchair or Zimmerframe user.
I'd like to think that my earier "twister" comments will still be relevant no matter how far down the line you've both travelled.
I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that I'm looking forward to seeing your honeymoon snaps posted on these pages.
Whatever you choose I hope you have a great time together.

Chris,

Our first trip to Bonaire will be in March. So maybe I'm not qualified to give my opinion. But here goes!
From watching this board for the last 2 months I'll have to agree with Alan. Aruba may be more fun for non diving honeymooners.
My wife and I have been there and really loved it . It is a very romantic place!
We are thinking we will love Bonaire because we're divers but for a honeymoon(non-diving) its Aruba!
Maybe you should consider getting certified before you go(you'll be hooked).


Dave

Let's not assume diving is the only activity available or desirable on Bonaire.

Windsurfing
sailing
cycling
nature watching in general
The list goes on.

What other islands might have more of is social nightlife like busy casinos and discos as well as large sandy beaches. I'm sure we all could think of places with different features but your enjoyment all depends on your own likes and dislikes.

I am 27 and Stephanie will be 23. We are definately thinking about getting certified to dive. I have always wanted to get certified, but she is a little scared to do it. We are both looking for a time to ourself but with the opportunity to go out to a dance club, but we are mainly wanting to be secluded. That is why we are staying away from Jamaica and the Bahamas and other places like that.

I originally said I wanted to go to Aruba, but my boss has been to all three of the islands, and he said he thought the people in Bonaire were quite a bit freindlier than the locals on Aruba, plus he thought we would be more secluded and the island in general was alot quieter.

I really want to come to Bonaire or Curacau, but Stephanie wants to go to Punta Cana or Riviera Maya in Mexico, has anyone ever been to these places??? She wants the ease of an all inclusive hotel, so we don't have to worry about taking alot of money with us.

Can anyone give me an estimated amount of money we should plan on spending for the both of us on an 8 day 7 night trip to Bonaire??? Again it is our honeymoon so I don't want to get there and see something I want to do and not be able to do it cause we didn't budget that amount of money.

One other question how much does it cost to become a certified diver and how long does it take???

Thank you for everyone advice, and yes no matter where we choose to go, I promise to post the pictures from our trip, well at least the ones I can

Streuth Chris!...I bet your travel agents heart sinks when you walk thru' his door.

Congratuations, Chris! I, too, am a diver, and I am in love with Bonaire... But I have to agree with David. If I wasn't a diver, I would go to BVI for my honeymoon. I have been there before, and it is awesome. Check out Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda. You wouldn't be disappointed. Good Luck!

Don't bother with the Riviera Maya if it's quiet you want. It's major party central and the almost unavoidable Montezuma's Revenge will put a real damper on your Honeymoon activities.;-}

Chris, you should get dive certified at home not on vacation (much less honeymoon) time. Look up your local dive shop and find out when they are offering classes. It will be easier and cheaper and you wouldn't be reading about Boyle's law on the beach.

Chris,

Arguments against Stephanie's choices include hurricane potential - I had a friend honeymoon in Cancun when Hurricane Gloria hit in the mid-80s. While it was a honeymoon he'll never forgot, it wasn't what he had hoped for :-)

In terms of all inclusives, they are all over - you can even get hotels here to set you up with meal plans and all that, but if it's cash that's a concern, just bring a credit card and ATM card. Both work here on Bonaire.

I will also second Cecil's recommendation about the dive training happening in the U.S. and finishing your open water dives here.

Jake

As counterpoint to Jake and Cecil, getting dive certified on Bonaire would be fun. On our last trip we did a Nitrox course and did enjoy ourselves. It helped having a great instructor, of course.

The environment is quite laid-back once on Bonaire. If your life at home is already too busy (especially in the run-up to a wedding), it may be less stressful to do the dive training once on Bonaire.

For Stephanie's sake, you might want to plan private lessons for the two of you. Best thing for dealing with someone who might be nervous about the whole thing is to have someone working with just you two at your own pace. Extra cost of private instruction isn't that much.

So that's my counterpoint. While the other folks are concerned that you'd be spending some of your vacation in a classroom and not underwater, your stress level pre-wedding may well be a deciding factor.

Chris,

I will come back in here for a moment. I have been to Punta Cana, I assume you mean the Club Med. I enjoy the concept of Club Med so I am willing to put up with sometimes "cattle ranch" atmosphere that surrounds some of the larger of these types of places. I have to been to 5 all-inclusives and have enjoyed each one.

I must tell you though perhaps the most romantic place that I have ever been is White Bay on Jost Van Dyke in the BVI's. It IS the paradise beach. Soft sand, warm water, and Soggy's is there just in case you get thirsty.... A very close second would be the Club Med on Tahiti. Gail and I spent and absolutely magic week at that small, intimate resort. They provided everything including the privacy. Be sure and get one of the single story rooms that is over the water.

Now that everyone here has given you info overload I am sure that it will be far easier to make you descision! HA!

David

Chris,

Linda and I were talking more about your dilemma last night, and here's what we came up with:

- The woman who is about to be your wife wants to go to an all-inclusive somewhere with a nice beach, it appears.

- Once you're married you'll learn that when your wife suggests something as an idea, chances are, she really means "This is what we're going to do, but I'm making it seem like a mere suggestion so that you feel you are part of the decision making process, even though you're not".

- The unfortunate part comes in when you end up going where she wants, she has a lousy time, and then blames it on you not having made a decision to go somewhere else.

Welcome to married life :-)

Seriously, you both appear to have somewhat divergent interests in terms of a honeymoon destination, so talk it out and see if there's a happy medium. Bonaire isn't for everyone, but as BonaireTalk shows, once you've been here, you get the Bonaire "bug" - the place grows on you.

Jake

Jake, you and Linda are SO right!! At least, I'm sure that's what Alan would say.

As a Bonaire-lover, I must say that I can think of many more "romantic" places than Bonaire. However, it is quiet and peaceful and friendly, and we certainly fell in love with it on our first trip. It's now our "warm place in the winter" choice.

As a formerly terrified-of-water woman, I'd say that Bonaire is a great place to get over it!! I finished my certification there this summer and while I'm still very cautious (and apprehensive), I can DO IT. You might want to take a Resort Course, which isn't a full certification, but will get you prepared and underwater. Bonaire has some wonderful instructors (Francie and Manunita at BonBini were perfect for me), and your new wife can develop some confidence at her own pace. I wouldn't try to do the full certification, unless you can do the classroom and pool work at home first, then do the open water dives on Bonaire. Shame to spend honeymoon time in class! There is NOTHING to match the experience of diving in warm, life-filled waters. It was a real struggle for me to get certified, but I am SO glad.

From my wanderings all over Bonaire, I'd recommend the Plaza for a honeymoon (and the Tipsy Seagull restaurant at the south end of the beach is a VERY romantic place for drinks at sunset -- food is good too!)

Jake I am learning very quickly that her suggestions and wants in life are her demands and needs. So I got a chuckle out of your comments. hahah. Just kidding I can't wait to be her husband. We just went to a travel agent last night and talked to her about Bonaire and she did her thing on the computer and gave us some bad news. The flights going there on the dates of our honeymoon are not good, going in there is a big layover in San Jaun and we wouldn't get to Bonaire till 8:30 at night, and coming home on the last day our flight leaves at like 7 in the morning with a 7 hour layover in San Juan, so we wouldn't be getting home till very late and that is 2 days of our honeymoon spent sitting around on layovers. Our travel agent checked a couple other flights and they were all the same, wasting 2 days on travel.

Well that gave all Stephanie needed for her argument against Bonaire, so now we are back to ground zero. The travel agent really talked up Punta Cana to us and got us an all inclusive deal with airfare for 1000 dollars a person. This really gave Stephanie arguments against mine So is there anyone out there that has been there that can give me some information on Punta Cana, Good or bad???

Thanks again, and I will keep you all updated on our "fight" for the honeymoon destination.

Yep, those are the typical flight times on AA to get here.

It has been 15 plus years since I've been to the Punta Cana area (when only Club Med existed there). What I remember is lots of tall palm trees, narrow but nice white sand beaches. The pictures on the other resorts websites seem to match my memory. The alcohol at the resort was inexpensive compared to other Club Meds. It is a resort area now but not extremely built up as far as I can tell. If you can fly directly into the Punta Cana airport and the $1000 included air, it sounds like a great price to me.

Linda that did include direct flights from Baltimore. I am beginning to think that planning the honeymoon is more stressful than planning the engagement and the wedding.

Could be! Don't forget the chilled champagne waiting in the room. Have fun.

Bonaire will still be here for your next vacation.