What hotel vacancy percentage should we expect for February ~7 to ~17?

There's so many variables with packages, you never know if what you really get at your destination, is what you thought you were supposed to get, or really needed, for instance, I read that the Slagbaai Park requires 4-wheel drive [I wouldn't have known to ask the question before buying the package], and saw photos of a beautiful resort then read a critique of it that was scary [mosquito breeding green pool, broken fixtures, etc]. Also have been advised that the shore diving may be enough, and paying for 6-12 boat dives may be a waste, two or three may be enough.

Good idea or bad idea, on Bonaire in February?... Wife and I, after a 2-night stay at a reserved room, we would wait to settle on accomodations for the week. Gives us a chance to see what's available, maybe find a good/better rate/package locally, or decide to "pay as you go" instead??? Maybe run into someone who'd like to share a first class Villa? Or maybe get stuck sleeping under a pier without anything available?

Anyone tried this approach? Suggestions for the two-nights? Thanks very much for input cw

Wayne,

I think that you may find, as I did, that within the different price catagories there is very little difference in the price of lodgings. I always look into the 'budget' lodgings and for my up coming trip in April I compared 7 different places. The total difference between the highest and the lowest was $121.00.(that was for lodging, diving and a car for a week) Sure if you are comparing Aqua Viva Apts with the Plaza Resort you will find a large delta, but the high end and the low end compare very closely with their bretheren in my checking.

As far as boat dives, in my opinion, unless you are going to Klein, they are a waste. The shore diving is the best in the world and provides the most flexibility. I am sure that others will differ, but diving on MY schedule is the most important thing to me in Bonaire.

As far as sleeping under a pier... You would be first in line for the night dive... Seriously, there are loads of places to stay on the island. From all of the places along dive row, to the small places in Town, to Lac Bay and all of the scattered apts, you will find a place to stay.

There is no shortage of opinion on where to stay on this board, everybody has their favorite and they are not shy about telling you. Read the messages, use Google on the internet to find places, pick one and get your rear in the water! That is after all why you are going, right?

Have fun
David

I'd book ahead, so as not to spend valuable vacation time checking around. There are no B&Bs with signs out and the resorts don't have "vacancy" signs. I'd check out the listings on www.infobonaire.com/accommodation and go from there. That worked perfectly for us. We chose Budget accommodations, and emailed them all for ratesf for the time we'd be there. On an earlier posting someone mentioned that Divi was booked when they wanted it, and I think Feb is pretty much high season.

Our personal favorite place is Bonaire TownHomes (that's where we'll be from Feb 5-March 6! -- our fourth visit with them!). Our first trip we stayed one week at Bonaire OceanFront Apartments and one week at Lighthouse Beach Resort. Both nice. But, we decided we'd go more budget --- and more often, for longer! We've been delighted with the decision.

The Web address Josie is referring to is:

http://www.InfoBonaire.com/html/hotels.html

Jake

We just had to cancel our 3 1/2 weeks at the Black Durgeon. Maybe they have it still open - was to be from Jan 23 to Feb 16 so you might be lucky... Check with Al and see.
This is Al's e-mail address:
bkdurgon@bonairelive.net
or the website: http://www.blackdurgon.com/
It is a SMALL, basic place but 4 doors north of Jake and Linda - right on the water at Small Wall.
We have been staying there for years and years.
E-mail if you need any more info.
pegdiver@monmouth.com