By John Bonine (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 2:16 am: |
We must soon commit to accommodations for 14 days and I have been pouring over BT, studying the online Bonaire maps, visiting web sites, and the like.
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By William Tweed (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:12 am: |
1. John, you were in a tent at Maho Bay, right? It's going to cost more, especially if you want beachfront
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By Kelly Baum (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2478) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 10:07 am: |
I'd like to add that I think the reefs south of town are just as nice. You will see some different coral on different dives, but generally it's all very good. Divi comes to mind. They have great views, nice pools, lots of places to get out of the sun, and a stunning reef right outside your door. Dive Inn is good too, and Carib Inn. Dive Inn is just north of Divi, and Carib Inn is just south. All are within walking distance to town, and the Cultimara grocery store. Also, it is a nice walk, very scenic, and along the waterfront.
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #194) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:15 am: |
John, Check out infobonaire.com there is a lot of information on the different accommodations, ie: where located, amenities, etc. Also have info on eating establishments, grocery stores, etc. it is one of the best info sites I have found.
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By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #839) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 11:28 am: |
Was that $75 per person double occupancy? Most of the places on Bonaire are for the unit, not by person. The studios at Divi Flamingo will hold up to six close friends. But a max of four is better since numbers 5/6 will be on a sofa bed. The Golden Reef units are nice and clean, and Liz, Ed, and Renee are delightful people, but it requires a car. Divi F., Dive Inn, or Carib Inn are your best bets. On the edge of town, but far enough away from the noise of downtown at night. Depending on how far you want to walk, you can get to most restaurants on foot. The only exceptions are the ones onsite of the hotels/resorts north of town, but a cab ride or two won't break your bank.
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By John Bonine (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 1:46 pm: |
One reason that we have been thinking we should be north of town is that someone posted in a thread that staying at Divi Flamingo resulted in being awakened by jets landing at the airport at 1 am and taking off at 3 am. If that's so, wouldn't that also apply to Carib Inn and Dive Inn?
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By Kelly Baum (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2484) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 2:17 pm: |
I've stayed at Divi several times, and haven't heard any jets landing. However, I sleep with the airconditioning on which probably buffers that. Yes, you are right, if that applies to Divi, it would apply to all three.
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #195) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 2:24 pm: |
You might hear the jets coming and going from the Plaza but I doubt you will from the Divi.
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By Lorraine Meadows (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #927) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 2:28 pm: |
We've been going to Divi for over 18yrs and have never been bothered by the jet noise.
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By Denise Kacavas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #970) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 2:29 pm: |
I have stayed at the Divi for 5 years of visits and never heard the planes. I've seen them off in the distance from there, but never heard them.
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By Belinda Z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #298) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 2:29 pm: |
We stayed at Carib Inn and the only time I heard the 3:00 a.m. KLM flight arrive was the couple of nights I was still awake. It did not disturb my slumbers (we were using air conditioning so the windows and doors were closed in our bedrooms).
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By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1057) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 5:43 pm: |
It's hard to imagine you'll find a place on the water for under $110 a night. We've been to Maho Bay also, and enjoyed it very much -- but there's nothing like that on Bonaire.
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By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13396) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 6:22 pm: |
John... Golden Reef, Black Durgon, Lion's Dive, Sand Dollar, Eden Beach, Hotel Rochalaine, Dive Inn, Carib Inn
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #197) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 7:32 pm: |
Cynde, the Hotel Rochaline is next to City Cafe with the entrance one block over from the waterfront. John put one to many a's in the name.
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By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13399) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 8:11 pm: |
Andy, thanks! I don't remember anyone ever posting a trip report on it, so it didn't sound familiar, but I can see it now in my head!
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By Ron Edison (BonaireTalker - Post #55) on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 8:03 pm: |
We stayed at pricey Caneel Bay in St. John for our honeymoon. It was great, but I doubt we'll ever spend that much again. At Sand Dollar in 2003, the Ride to the Reef package included a studio (far larger and more comfortable than our beachfront Caneel Bay unit), full kitchen, an ocean view, unlimited shore diving, car rental, all for about the same cost as two days at Caneel Bay. The only thing we missed was a sandy beach, but you'd be hard pressed to find that anywhere on Bonaire.
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By Lydia S. Segal (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 8:54 pm: |
Hi
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By Snorkeljohn (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 6:10 pm: |
Can someone tell me how far it is to walk from Eden Beach resort to Bari Reef and any other ones suitable for casual snorkeling?
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By Cheryl Gibson (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 11:44 am: |
John,
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By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #188) on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 12:02 pm: |
Hi John
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #206) on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 7:08 pm: |
John I agree with Cam. DON'T compare Bonaire to Mexico or other inexpensive places. On Bonaire they have to import most of their food stuffs as the island is like the desert southwest of the USA. There is only subsistence farming on Bonaire. Also most of the furnishings in the resorts, restaurants and local homes is imported. Because of these things prices will be higher. But on the whole it is worth it to pay the extra.
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By Snorkeljohn (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 12:50 am: |
As I asked my questions two weeks ago and have been actively exploring alternatives since then, it seems fair that I report back on my choices and reasons.
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By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #803) on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 8:54 am: |
Wally's vacation rule no. 1....Plan like crazy before vacation.
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By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4827) on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 10:52 pm: |
Bonaire is such a wonderful place to "have" to make so many hard decisions.....best one...relax and enjoy it all. I know you will! Carole
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