Husband, 10 year old daughter and myself; looking for a villa/cottage to rent for 2 weeks, end of Jan/beginning of Feb/06 - I'd like full kitchen cause I love to go to the market and buy fresh food, hit the docks and buy fresh fish.. any suggestions for reasonable and close to the beach/water accomodations? I dive, but husband and daughter just snorkel, which is why beach access is a must. We were on Roatan last year, and paid about $700 a week, so think that is the price range again that we are looking at. I've searched the bonaire tourism board, but it doesn't really offer any "private" cottages -- on islands where we have been in the past, we've always managed to hook up with a local who had a friend who had an apartment/cottage available. Any help/comments/advice would be appreciated!! -- AS well, to save me posting on "how to get there", any comments on flights from Toronto to the lovely island? I don't think there are any direct flights yet, would like to hop out of Houston if we could.. what airlines fly into Bonaire and on what days of the week? Thanks so much!

Tara, you might want to try the website www.infobonaire.com as it has a wealth of links for accommodations. You will need a sense of adventure to grocery shop in Bonaire as one never knows what will be available in the grocery stores especially in the area of fresh produce and milk. We spend 5 weeks there every summer and several weeks during the year and I love the challenge of planning meals depending on what is available but know that this can be hard or tiring for some -- especially when it requires visits to multiple stores!
Getting to Bonaire is always a challenge. You can try Continental from Houston (Friday nights to Bonaire and Sat morning returns only). American flies several days a week from San Juan -- days seem to change often so check with AA. Folks also fly to Aruba and then fly BonaireExel/Express (name keeps changing). Another option is to fly to Curacao and take Divi to Bonaire. Good luck with your plans!

Tara: Check this site under accomodations..
http://bonairesite.homestead.com/
Good luck & enjoy your stay..

Tara,
I don't know of anything on the ocean in your price range. If I did I would keep it a BIG secret! Not really:-)!! You could try a Hamet Oasis 2 bedroom villa. They are only one row back from the water. They offer great specials and you are close to Capt'n Dons or Phototours Dive shop/tank pickup.
Yana
www.hamletbonaire.com/

Tara
There is charters from Toronto to Curacao or Aruba, the you take a island hopper to Bonaire.
Cost from Toronto is approx $900.00 CDN/pp, island hopper is approx $100.00 pp/roundtrip.

Tara,

Price may be a problem to meet your request but we love the Oasis Cottages at Capt. Don's.

Here's my '02 Trip Report which seems to meet most of your requirements. We've since been back four times and are booked for March.
http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/31140.html?1021997999

Hi Tara,

Not much on Bonaire in the way of what most folks consider "beaches - as in long stretches of sand", but plenty of coral shoreline and some of the resorts have smallish sand beaches.

Were you talking about $700 per person? If so there should be MANY waterfront places that will fit the bill. $700 for all three of you isn't too likely anywhere you can actually see the water.

ok...trying to skirt the "self-promotion" rule here....if you're talking $700 per person i "might" know "someone" who would rent a place to you. how many people are in your party? ten? twenty? thirty? who cares!!!! i'm pretty sure this person could fit them in. and that person couldn't be me since i won't self promote, plus i'll be there then anyway.....LOL

Tara,
You may want to check with the Black Durgon Inn. They are on the water. There is a kitchen available for guest use on the patio that is a few feet from the water. We cook most our meals there when we visit. The only time the kitchen is not available is mornings because they serve breakfast. You should be able to find something there under $100 a night for the room.
We have stayed at the Black Durgon a number of times and keep going back. Feel free to email me personally if you do not find their web site and I will look up contact information that I have or answer other questions. Hope you find something that works out. My wife and I dive about every 6 weeks and most of our trips are to Bonaire. The island is definitely habit forming.

Try Sand Dollar Resort. They are privately owned condos that you can hagel over the price of your stay. (that's a little know secret unknown until now). You need to know the name of the condo owner or resort manager to get the best rates.
Good luck?