Im sure the question of "where to stay" is all over this forum but I couldnt find anything that im looking for so "thank you in advance for your advice"!

We are a couple of divers who dont really like the big concrete hotel experience. Something right on the water, individual casita types is more our style. We like the party inviroment, not the family gig. We stayed at Ramon's Village at Ambergris Caye (Belize) and might have a hard time topping it, but thats kinda like what were looking for.

Does Bonair have such a place? Planning on late june, early July.

Thank you so much

David

David not sure how to answer this one, but my first and gut tells me that Bonaire might not be what you are looking for. There is very little partying on Bonaire, it's pretty laid back. You might be better served by looking into Cozumel. Excellent diving and much more night life. Others may differ, YMMV.

i agree with cecil. while you will be able to find places on the water on bonaire, you won't find the party atmosphere. friends stayed in our place last year and they love to party...but they were back home every night by 11PM...they said it was too relaxing to try to party much.

David, ditto to Cecil and Pat's comments...Cecil...YMMV? Your mileage may vary?

well, thats ok. I can make my own party! How about a quiet place on the beach then? Anything without the big hotel scene?

PS. Thank you all for the quick and honest reply!

we used to stay at the carib inn. small, on the water, great staff and dive shop. because it's small, they tend to fill up quickly and far in advance. you might try them tho...www.caribinn.com

David, Bonaire is definitely not the party scene you have in mind! LOL. Aruba, yes...Bonaire, definitely not. It does have the best diving, snorkeling and dining in the world, tho.

There are lots of quiet places on the beach....a couple of small and intimate "hotels" and some private homes, etc. Even rooms to rent right on the water, too. (Dive Inn).

Divi Flamingo Beach will be too "family" for your tastes, I fear. There are KLM flight crews who stay at the Divi tho and "sun" themselves on the tanning pier and on the small, small beach at the Divi. They might be staying at the Plaza Resort, too...not certain of that, tho.

If you want the best diving, Bonaire is your place! You might end up finding some other partyers on the island, but nothing like Mexico or Belize or Cozumel, Cancun, etc.

Hope you make it down there and enjoy yourself either way! Ayo. Carole

Wow thanks! I looked at the pic's of carrib Inn. Plaza and Sand $ Sand dollar looks pretty cool! I wonder if they have rooms on the beach? Thank you all and keep them commin! its really helping!

David

Have you tried looking at this website: http://www.infobonaire.com/index.html It list all the places on Bonaire to stay or most of them to give you an idea of what Bonaire has to offer. You could try Cap'n Don's too as I think that would fit your liking too. Bonaire is very quiet and relaxing, so just be prepared to have an open mind for a great dive trip, meeting very friendly people, great food and if divings your bag, then Bonaire fits the bill, definitely not the Sandals type of island for sure. I have just had some friends in their thirties stay at my place and they didn't dive, were just beach folk, but they still had a great time. I had warned them before they went there that the beaches were mostly coral, and all, few sandy beaches, and they still went and had a great time. I just heard from them today. So, I think you will be o.k.

David, you asked:

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quote:

Anything without the big hotel scene?

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David,

I don't know what Ramon's Village is like, but Carib Inn is very mellow. If the partying at the Carib Inn gazebo is very load or runs very late, you won't be popular with the other guests.

JR

Typo:

"is very load or runs very..."

should be

"is very loud or runs very..."

David,

I have stayed at the Carib Inn about five times in the last three years. The party is drinks at sunset, coffee at sunrise, both in the gazebo. Night time activity is watching divers go in and out of the big pool. There is no night life, of the kind you mention, very friendly folks, very mellow atmosphere, but party, not that I have seen. Lydia

David, I would suggest Eden Beach Resort. Their bar (it's an open air bar and is right on the beach) is a very lively gathering place for lots of folks in the evenings ! And it's where the webcams are, AND it's a great place to drink a few cold beers and watch the sunset.

www.edenbeachresort.com

I agree with Kelly, I just got back from a stay at Eden and the bar (Bongo's) is definitely a great place to tip a few! Always a full house, but an awesome location - right on the beach!

David,

You might be misleading people with the partying thing, either that or I missed the party at Ramons. We've been to AC three times and Bonaire twice. The main town in Bonaire is much larger than AC, they've got paved roads, stop signs, etc. and you'll want to rent a truck to check out all the dive sites. I don't think there is anything higher than 3 or 4 stories, but no thatched roofs either. There's about a 1/2 mile to a mile long section of road in town along the water that has restaurants, bars and resorts. Might make a good pub crawl if you start early but everything does seem to close early. I think most people are worn out from all the diving and looking forward to getting an early start the next day.

Karel's is probably the "liveliest" bar in town, and Bongo's does keep a good crowd going at night...

Thank you all for all your input and support! Unfortunatly, I just found out i have to be outta town at that time for work! I CANT GO NOW! so sad. But all these comments will surely help me when I re-schedule!

Thanks again to everyone!