Hello everyone. One topic havn't been discussed: how about criminal situation in Bonaire: are there thefts, robberies, murders maybe? how responsive is the police? can u go calmly anywhere at any time day or night? are the locals friendly and relaxed or just looking at your purse? are there private firearms on the island? Thanks in advance.

Alan..Welcome to BT..Bonaire is one of the friendliest safest islands in the Carib. Having said that, is there any place on this entire planet where there are no thefts, robberies etc? Use common sense and you'll be fine. Firearms are not permitted on the island.

Alan, do a search for "Crime" very hot topic.

That said, nine trips and I've never had a problem.

0ver 20 years....NOTHING, But, it does take place.

I’ve heard crime exists on Bonaire.
I visit the island since 1977 and never had a problem.
I don’t take exceptional precautions either, just use common sense.

Thank you, guys, very helpful... still, please touch up on a couple of specifics for me: as I understand I can wonder at night in the north part of the island or sleep over on the beach and, most likely nobody would mess with me? and if I need police for some reason, how responsive and helpful is it? I'm asking it because where I live - in Ecuador - long walks on an empty beach is NO NO unless you are very well armed... Thanks again. Cheers.

Alan, you can walk the beaches at night no problem. As far as sleeping on them, I'm not sure you can do that. I believe you have to have a permit to camp on the beach, and I don't think they issue them readily. Also, Bonaire is not known for it's "beaches." There are "sandy patches" in some areas but it's mostly iron shore.

I think the locals can respond in regard to the responsiveness of the police.

I spent six weeks in Puerto Rico. Rented an apartment on the beach in Isle Verde, I couldn't for the life of me understand why the beaches were deserted at night. Then a friend let me in on a little secret...it wasn't safe! good to know! lol!

Alan..I would not recommend sleeping on a beach at night. My advice is to book some inexpensive accommodations if you're trying to save money.

Thanks a lot guys. I've got the picture. Didn't mean to live on the beach, just wanted to make an example of an extreme exposure to the local life... How do you travel to Saba from Bonaire?

Alan, contact Ann Phelan through this board. She lives on Bonaire and is a travel agent. Can someone post her email addy please?

ann@bonairecaribbean.com

The only way to Saba from Bonaire is via Curacao and Sint Maartin. You can fly either Insel Air or DAE to Sint Maartin, and then you'd have to pick up Winair there for the hop to Saba.

I love it that you can keep the doors of your car open, that you feel safe when you walk alone as a woman and people are friendly and are helpful. Great Island in the Sun!!

According to the CIA website Bonaire is: "transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center"

As for petty crime, we had our truck gone through while parked at a dive site in May. Of course we left it unlocked with the windows open as advised. They removed and went through the mesh bags (with sunscreen, water bottles and sunglasses)that were behind the back seat, threw the sunhats that were under the seats out the windows (returned to us by other divers in the area). The only thing that was taken was a guilder that we had found on the ground and left in the truck. Guess they were only looking for money... Don't leave valuables in you vehicle.

Well, actually the fact that money is being laundered there does not make it a dangerous place. I guess some dirty cash is everywhere in Carribean... The way you guys dive there, don't try it in Ecuador: you'd be robbed for fun at gunpoint. I'm convinced there is no way to keep a poor man from going through your possessions. Cheers.

Well put Allen. It would be easier to name countries where money is not laundered. I am sure it would be a very short list. Did the CIA report on money laundering in the US and link it to an increase in the loss of sunhats?