We are thinking of renting Casa Kromgelegen but have been warned that it is subject to noise from plane overflights. Obviously this isn't a problem when you're diving, but how about when you're hanging out, relaxing, reading on your sundeck, taking a siesa, snorkeling, or watching the sunset?

We're a little concerned that the peace and quiet will be shattered by these overflights. Want to feel that we're in paradise, not a war zone!

Has anyone had a problem with this?

Any idea how many flights a day come in to land at the airport?

We like the looks of the house and its access to the ocean, but should we try harder to be out of Belnem area?

Experienced Bonaire vistors or residents - please give me a sense for how bothersome this can be.

Thanks,

Cecily

Cecily, I just looked up the location (based on Bonaire Partners website) and it says that it's 1 mile from the airport. You'll be fine. If it were at the end of the runway, or close to that area you might get more noise, but a mile from the airport isn't a big deal. There is a KLM flight that arrives at 3:30 or 4AM every day, but when we stayed at Belmar in Belnam in March, never heard a thing and we were on the top floor...

plane noise shouldn't be a problem. if you are near donkey beach the klm might disturb you but the AE and BE planes are prop planes and only come in a few times a day (once a day for AE). we are about 3km from the airport and hardly hear a thing.

Did yo have the AC on Yo? Because in Casa Cia, just a little farther from the airport, the noise was like a comedy routine, with stuff rattling off the glass tables at 3 AM. Even with the AC on it was pretty loud.

We stayed in Casa Cia last year and the plane noise isnīt such a problem because they come only a view times a day, donīt worry about that.

Ton, it's the 3AM flight that got me every night at Casa Cia.
Some folks have different tolerance levels for noise. Myself, being a light sleeper, I woke up every night.
Light sleeper and staying at Casa Cia? Bring earplugs. Been there, done that.
Mare

I agree with those for whom the plane noise is a problem at Casa Cia. The KLM flight arriving woke me up every time. (But I was the only one in our group of 6 who was seriously disturbed.) I wouldn't choose that house again, tho, because of the proximity to the airport.

It's a shame that Bonaire, which has an economy that must rely heavily on tourism, has allowed KLM to refuel there and create a disturbance to vacationers who wish for peace and quiet.

It looks like DreamBonaire will be our preferred alternative, and we're just hoping it isn't directly under the approach path of jumbo jets at 3 a.m.

If you know anything about this place, do let us know.

We're all from very rural (wilderness) Alaska and are probably more noise sensitive since there are no jets at all here!

Cecily, many tourist that visit Bonaire arrive on that aircraft.

Cecily, without the KLM flight European visitors could not get to Bonaire, it is already very expensive and I could not afford to fly via the USA.

Stayed in Belnem last year at Happy Holiday Homes
I am a very light sleeper and was never bothered. I think the hum of the AC unit may have drowned any noise out.

Have booked again in Belnem this October

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. Of course planes carrying people to Bonaire need to land there!

I understand, though, that Bonaire has a deal with KLM that allows them to land from Holland simply to use Bonaire as a refueling station on their way to South America. Perhaps this isn't true.

Cecily

I am on vacation in Bonaire now and arrived a few days ago on the 3:00am flight. It is a mixture of Bonaire and South American passengers. There is another flight that lands about 01:00 from South America and departs with Bonaire tourists to Amsterdam around 02:00.

The Plaza is close to the airport and some rooms have a view of the parked planes, I have seen very few complaints though.

Julia - I'm in the US and can barely afford flying to Bonaire from here. Thank goodness KLM is there for you guys!

Brian and Cecily - I am a light sleeper. (Honesty up front). I "dealt" with the plane noise at the Plaza for two trips because 1) Bonaire had me in a trance and 2) the Plaza was so darn incredible I couldn't imagine staying any where else. I have posted a picture of a plane parked outside my room at the Plaza on another thread. Well...the trance and the Plaza have warn off and we are heading north for our next stay. Not a complaint, just need to get some sleep if I am diving 5 times a day. Cheers!

It doesn't directly answer your question but just a few minutes north of the airport are TONS of great resorts and rental properties.

When I stayed at the Divi the airport was a short scooter ride away yet I never heard a plane. Anything town side of the Plaza or for that matter just a bit further south of the airport should give you a good night's rest. The air approach to Flamingo is over the ocean so the big birds are only over any land for a short time and a specific flyover zone.

At least that's how I remember it. In the interests of truth in advertising, here in Chicago I live just 2 miles east of Midway Airport. Perhaps I'm just desensitized to jet engines. lol

the planes landing don't create the noise...it's the klm taking off that you'll hear...and sometimes air jamaica. i've heard that it's a bigger problem in lagoen than in other parts because of the flight paterns. i'll hear the klm's during the night sometimes but then i just go back to sleep.

We dealt with the 3 am KLM flight at Casa Cia by yelling "INCOMING!!!" and then immediately falling back to sleep. We were so tired it did not matter.

That's so funny, Meredith! Joe and I would do the same thing at the Divi when we would hear that puppy in the skies above us! GMTA! Carole

The noise from landing planes is only the thrust reversers near the end of the landing run and that is away from the west side of the island. Now, the takeoff...

During 2 weeks in Belnem, I woke up a few times. Not bad.

Just returned from a week at the Belmar. We could see and hear planes approaching the airport but the noise was never loud enough to wake us up. We didn't consider it a problem at all - actually, we thought it was cool to sit on our veranda and watch them come in.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in with information on this question. After reading all the comments, I have the following conclusions to offer:

1. Plane noise is only a problem at night - maybe because everyone is under water in the daytime!
2. While Belnem is just one area of a relatively small island, some parts of Belnem are more subject to plane noise than others.
3. Some people are more sensitive to plane noise than others, so this is an individual experience.
4. While visiting Bonaire we all need to remember that we arrived and will depart by planes whose noise may have disturbed someone.
5. We can choose to respond to the noise with humor ("Incoming!") as opposed to irritation ("Blasted planes!")

Based on all this our final resolutions are: if possible, rent a house that is not in the direct flight path or too near the airport; bring ear plugs and a sense of humor; enjoy Bonaire for the incomparable experience that it offers and accept that every place has its trade-offs.

What do you think?

Cecily, good job! :-{)}

I think I like the way you think!

Nice recap Cecily, you get 100% percent for reading comprehension; a gold star for keeping it under 150 words; and extra credit for having five points.
My new idea is if the planes wake you up just go diving...

Go book what you want and be open minded! We got a tremendous laugh out of the "incoming" every night. It was cool in the late afternoon to see the plane land (whatever airline that was) and we could wave to the folks in the plane while snorkeling in the water. We also loved dealing with Josie at Sun Rentals who gave us a squeaker dolphin to play with for the week. We also loved the cool water to take showers with, I had no idea Casa Cia did not have a water heater! We also loved the ass theme for the week, you know --lazy ass, wise ass, smart ass, every donkey we saw we would think of another. And we loved Bart and Bob and all the locals. This is why we are returning again this year for the 3rd time. Bonaire is euphoric to our senses!