Aagh...have discovered that it is possible to do too much research ! I've been lurking all week on this site and am still none the wiser (too many options) so am taking the plunge and appealing for help.

Our basic dilemma is that we are either looking at staying at one of the resorts or staying in a cheaper place and having a car for the week we are on Bonaire. So the question is - what would you do ? My beloved is leaning towards the resort option but it looks to me like a car is probably necessary to enjoy the island to the full. We are not divers, nor will be, but will happily snorkel till our hearts content.

Also - this may be a basic question but where exactly is 'downtown' ? If we want to go for a stroll around bars/restaurants where should we head ? And is it worth being close ? Am thinking along the lines of not having to walk home five miles after a couple of pina coladas in the evening...

Any info appreciated...

I would say go for the cheaper accommodations and get a truck. There are a plethora of great options in the smaller places. I would check out Dive Inn, it is within walking distance to the downtown area, also the Carib Inn is very nice. Both are oceanfront. (Dive Inn you have to walk across the road, but it's still a great location).

Downtown is on the west side, just south of Klein Bonaire, the offshore uninhabited island. It's not really big.

There aren't many "resorty" type places and I think you'd enjoy one of the more intimate places. (my opinion of course).

Another option is the Golden Reef Inn. Liz and Ed are GREAT at accommodating people, will do anything to make your stay perfect, and add a wonderful personal touch. They are very nice folks.

I'm sure others will chime in with their ideas also... feel free to email me if I can help you or if you have other questions!

What Kelly said, find an inexpensive place back from the beach and rent a truck. There are to many places to go and see if you have a vehicle.

You can still use the facilities at the resorts for a modest fee. There are also many beaches that are free. We really enjoyed Windsock (aka Donkey Beach, right at the end of the runway). It has many shade trees, great snorkeling/diving and not crowded. An extra thrill is if you are there at 2:00PM a huge KLM Airbus will land.

Cecil

I am sure that they are still using McDonnell Douglas MD11's I have heard that they are looking to switch to Airbus but the South America flights may well then be none stop. :-{

Still an impressive sight though. 18 days and counting and we'll be on the red eye from Schipol that lands about 03:30am

You are probably correct, I do know it's big.

It feels like that scene in Wayne's World. lol

They are MD11's - I work on them. All KLM cabin crew are keeping their fingers crossed just one, not both of KLM's flights to Bonaire will eventually go non-stop to South America by Airbus. We all loooove to go to Bonaire !!

Da plane....da plane

Wow Linda! Great picture.

Can't take credit....it was taken by Megan, 3 years ago. This was when KLM came in weekly on Friday evenings and tourists and locals gathered at the beach to watch. Here's a close-up!

It depends on your vacationing style and what you like to do, but in my experience having a vehicle on island is a major plus. There are too many places you just can't go without one. And as far as staying at a smaller, less expensive property goes, I highly recommend it. There are some really lovely, inexpensive accommodations available, so you're not likely to feel like you're missing out or roughing it.

Deirdre -

Bon bini na Bonaire Talk!

I vote with the others: car rental and a less expensive accommodation. I'll yield to the others for suggestions on specific places.

The reason I vote for the car is that there are so many interesting things to see, people to meet and, most importantly, snorkeling from shore to do on the island.

Where exactly is downtown? Downtown Kralendijk (called Playa by the locals)is on the west seashore of Bonaire and is about 1/3 of the way from the south end of the island as you head north.

Perhaps this will help. Go to this page http://www.skyviews.com/bonaire/mapintropage.html and in the lower left corner click on the link "Kralendijk."

"Downtown" is rather small and pretty quiet. The main retail section is along a 4-5 block stretch of Kaya Grandi, but there are other shops and services in the surrounding area.

There are quite a few restaurants within a 6 block walk of Town Pier. In addition, most of the larger hotels have their own restaurants and bars.

As far as needing to be close to downtown, my opinion is no, there is no need simply because 90% of the hotels and other accommodations are within a 15 minute (max) drive of town. And you might well want to go to one of the restaurants in the resorts just north of town (Sand Dollar, Lion's Dive, etc.) or one of the local restaurants in a neighborhood, i.e., Gibi's on Bonaire Talk night.

With you interest in snorkeling, you are in for a treat! We are snorkelers and I think our opinion is supported by many on Bonaire Talk that Flamingo Island is one of the very best snorkeling destinations anywhere.

Unsolicited advice: take and use plenty of sun protection in and out of the water (including covering your legs and arms when snorkeling). The sun that close to the equator is beyond intense. Take some type of foot wear (we use dive booties) to get in the water. Very few sandy beaches on Bonaire.

Hope this helps.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

I spend 6 weeks on Bonaire each year, and rent a car nd stay at Bonaire Town Homes -- it's about a mile (or perhaps less) from the center of "town", just around the corner from Gibi's and easy walk to several other restaurants/snacks. We LOVE it there. The owners, Benny and Ester are delightful and VERY hospitable and the place is clean, comfortable and fully equipped (including outside seating/dining areas with hammocks and in a quiet residential neighborhood. If they're available (they only have 3 units), that's where I'd chose.

It's convenient to drive to Sorobon and everywhere else from there too.

We rent a car from Everts, who give a 10% discount to BTH guests (the owner Ilka is a friend and neighbor of Benny).

www.bonairetownhomes.com

Deidre...I'm with all of the others, go cheap and rent a vehicle. The only thing I would add is to ask every place you contact about lodging if they offer a drive/stay package. You might get lucky and find a good deal that combines the car rental and lodging. Good luck and enjoy Bonaire!

GET A CAR!!!!!!! Too much to miss if you don't see the rest of the island on the last day - some many beautiful dive sites - all so easy to get in and out of. Navigation is easy. You won't be in your expensive "resort" that much of the time you are there anyway.

Linda great shot - that was a Jumbo - Boeing 747 that they used prior to the MD11s.

We tend to hire a truck for only part of our holiday as it is such a treat not having to drive. Bonaire is a small island and flat around the hotels and town centre so why drive. The downside of not having a truck is that we have missed some of the must do things like the Donkey Sanctuary.

Rent a truck, you won't regret it as the snorkeling varies around the island. An inexpensive place with a nice pool, kitchen area and gazebo, 1 block from the water is Yacht Club apartments. Get a studio and its a large room with a sitting area and a queen bed that is all a/c not just a bedroom. About 1 mile from town. They also have a deal on a pickup.

Deirdre,
I am adding my 2Cents. Go with the truck rental. I like staying at Hamlet Oasis next door to Capt Dons. Check out their drive and stay special....they are very reasonable. Doroty is great! Last November she put together a great priced 3 week trip for us.

http://www.hamletbonaire.com/specials.html

The Yacht Club is a good bargain place with a nice little pool, but there are lots of options. Do get the truck. You can make arrangements for boat-based snorkelling or a trip to Klein if you wish (see the snorkelling heading). All you're giving up is the ability to stumble from your room straight into the water- and in some cases you can still do that with a longer stumble. What you're gaining is full access to the island's many dive/snorkel sites, many of which you might well have to yourselves. Someone already recommended booties- think HARD soles if you're using open heel fins, that ironshore is not easy on the feet. And make that sunscreen waterproof, preferably supplemented by a dive skin. Pick up a snorkel vest if you'll be more comfortable, but be sure to bring lights for night snorkelling- you WILL want to try it. Bottom line is that with a truck you can load up on water and a picnic lunch and spend the whole day looking for interesting snorkel sites or other things to do- you'll find plenty of both- AND still be able to settle in at Bongo's or another resort attraction if you prefer. That freedom is part of Bonaire's appeal. Don't worry about navigating, its not hard.

One more vote for the cheap accomodations plus vehicle rental x 1 week. It hasn't been discussed recently, but if you're using your credit card's insurance, pickup trucks might not be covered. Check with your credit card company. Cheapo cars work fine for me but pickups are better if you go to Washington Park (I still go to the park in a "minivan" if there hasn't been much rain).

I like being close to town (Carib Inn) for the option of being able to walk to and from shopping and dinner. The stroll "home" after dinner helps the digestion (and lessens the guilt!).

The snorkelling at the "resorts" (Plaza, Flamingo, Harbor Village) is okay. But the best spots, as others have described, is best accessed by car or boat (Klein).

Enjoy your trip!!

JR

I will throw in my 2 cents worth on this subject. Inexpensive lodging and a vehicle. You will want to go to Jibe City and watch the windsurfers or maybe even take some lessons. Maybe go to Washington/Slagbaai park. The are a number of small inexpensive properties on the island, ie: Golden Reef Inn, Dive Inn, Carib Inn these are just some examples. Most will have a small kitchen so you can do some of your meals in your room/studio. Some are on the water and some aren't. check out www.infobonaire.com for more information on the different small properties. You will enjoy Bonaire no matter where you stay.
Andy

My American Express Card will not cover any sort of truck rental--better plan to take the optional damage plan

Keith, there is a one time per rental extra insurance available from AMEX for about $20.00 that will cover the truck for the term of your rental.

Keith, you have to call AMEX and request the CDW clause for your card. After that AMEX will automatically add $19.95 to your rental charges for any rental (car or Truck). The savings adds up quick. The name of the progarm is PREMIUM CAR RENTAL PROTECTION PLAN. No deductable with $75,000 coverage.
If anyone is interested in this, the number to call on the information I got is 1-800-858-5947, and you should mention code 5FK. They may ask you what rate you were quoted (there are two - $19.95 or $24.95 - tell them the lower one).. Ron

Greetings Keith! If you have any of AMEX's gold cards, regardless of which program you have it under, the Premium Car Rental Protection Plan is part of it - free! I was shocked when I upgraded from Green to Gold.

The one serious issue with AMEX...always call them and tell them when you are traveling. They tend to turn off cards when you go out of your normal range, for fear of theft. When I call to give them travel dates, I always confirm that the make/model of the vehicle I am renting is covered on my card car insurance. Everything so far been covered, including my pick up truck in Bonaire. However, my dive buddy is my SONAS and not my husband (significant other not a spouse), so we do have to officially add him on the car rental contract for the coverage to include him. Everyone officially on the contract is covered on my card car insurance.

Have a great trip!