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Accommodations: All-inclusive vs. planning on my own
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2004-08-04 to 2005-05-09: All-inclusive vs. planning on my own
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carolina Bolado (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 11:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I’d really like to do the 10K Bonaire EcoSwim the first weekend in November and spend six or seven days there. I’m PADI certified, but I haven’t dived in several years, so I’ll probably do a refresher course before I go. I plan to dive two or three days, and swim, kayak, bike, and lounge the rest of the time. I’d most likely be traveling alone, which is tough when you’re trying to keep costs down.

I called Caradonna and was quoted $1300 for airfare (from New York) plus six nights at Captain Don’s with three days of diving included. I know I can stay more cheaply at places like Friar’s Inn, but is it worth the price difference? Will I have to rent a car if I stay at Friar’s and I want to do a bit of diving? Or is there a dive shop/operator nearby where I can go? I’m trying to avoid getting a car (rental car companies aren’t too friendly to people under 25) and was going to rely mostly on a bicycle on non-diving days to explore the island. I’m used to staying at hostels, so I don’t mind having to share a bathroom—as long as the place is clean, I’m happy.

Any help would be great. I’ve been lurking around for a while, reading different threads. There’s tons of great information here.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #466) on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Carolina,
Welcome to the board.
Capt Dons is a nice place but you can find a good place to stay for a lot less, two come to mind that are in the $50-65 per night range. When I travel with a group 4+ people, I like to stay at the ocean side resorts. They do cost a bit more but with 3 others in the condo, the price comes down a good bit but when traveling with my wife or one other buddy, we always stay at the off water places. On average I save $500pp by staying at one of the off water places, in my opinion, well worth the saving. PM me if you would like to give you the names and info on the places. You will have/want to rent a car no matter where you stay. The rental car places on island have been pretty easy to deal with, if you have any questions you can always email them. I have gotten quick response from the ones I have emailed.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #701) on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 2:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carolina,

you should break down the costs and see if you can get some elements cheaper...I figure air from NY will be about $600, unlimited air for shore diving is about $99 /wk, boat dives ~$30 ea...if you think you need a refresher, wait til you get to Bonaire and do it with whomever you stay/dive with..just ask the dive master to dive with you on your first boat dive
You will have $700 into the air and 3 dives no matter what you do...this leaves $600 for a week for a room... this is a decent rate .... you'll probably pay the same no matter where you go on the water... you didn't say how many were going (are you going alone)...if not alone, you may consider the places ie Divi, SandDollar, Dive Inn, Caribe Inn etc which rent the rooms by the nite... The big brokers tend to quote price per person which can obscure the breakdown of prices

You may be able to save a whopping $100 by shopping around...if you stay at Capt Don's you will need a car... Divi, Dive Inn and Caribe Inn can be done without a car

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carolina Bolado (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 4:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the advice. I'll most likely be traveling on my own. I'm trying to get a friend to come along with me, but it's tough--we're all just out of college and are pretty broke. So unless I can find someone to come with me, I might have to wait until next year to go down there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13016) on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 11:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Minor note, Divi, Dive Inn and Carib Inn can be done without a car if you plan on diving the house reef there, and you are close to town (a small walk). If you want to do any shore diving, you need a car.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Perkins (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 1:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I just checked on Orbits.com and got a price from NY to Bonaire in February for under $700.00. If you're short on money stay at Friar's Inn or Tropicana Apartments. You won't spend much time at your room anyway. I bet if you look for a buddy on this site you'll find someone who will take you with on their dives saving you the cost of a pickup rental. I say go for it now! When are you planning your trip?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #985) on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 9:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have you tried priceline.com for tickets? Hubby got some great deals for $380 round trip to Bonaire in the past and that included taxes!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #171) on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 12:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What about leaving from Newark? Look for specials. Look at Scuba Diving Magazine for ideas. Go to the Beneath The Sea diving Expo in Secaucus, NJ on March 18-20. Bonaire usually has a good showing. Also look for DEMA specials.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carolina Bolado (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 2:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

380! Wow. Yeah, I'll give Priceline a try closer to the time I'm planning to go (tentatively Nov. 2-7. The swim is on Nov. 5). My dad's had great luck with it in the past. And yes, I've been monitoring prices from all three nearby airports--Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia. And I'll definitely check out the Beneath the Sea expo.

 


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