Aruba has been our vacation spot for the last 5 years. It was great, but now to crowded. We do enjoy evenings at the casino, what's this like in Bonaire. We don't dive, snorkel a little, just looking for a nice pool, sandy beach with shade available, not a ton of kids and restaurant. Will rent a car/truck to explore. Is it safe to jog/walk the island. Flying from Boston. Thanks

You found your new home away from home! I am sure you will hear from dozens more...welcome

Have you considered Divi on Bonaire? 2 nice pools, small casino, small sandy beach, plenty of shade, and hammocks scattered throughout the property and near the water

Lorraine, Bonaire is very different than Aruba. It's about the same size, but Aruba has 50,000 locals while Bonaire has 13,000. Much more laid back with no traffic, little crime, but also little nightlife and only two Casinos. You see divers go to bed early.

Now the other thing that Bonaire does not have is long white sand beaches. It's mostly coral and coral rubble. There is a small beach at Eden Beach and The Plaza. The latter is probably where you should look. The Plaza is also where one of the Casinos is located. Bonaire is a beautiful place and the people are a good as it gets, you will not regret a trip there.

Welcome, Lorraine! We were Aruba "regulars" for many, many years and watched the developers destroy the island (in our opinion, at least). We had thought about exploring Bonaire many times but never made the flight over...then one year I finally decided...we are going to Bonaire this year.

Well, needless to say...we have NEVER returned to Aruba since last trip in 1998 and never intend to. We fell in love with Bonaire before we arrived...I, via a prior posting board with Michael involved..sweet, sweet and dear man...and then as the plane flew OVER Bonaire before we landed. We could "see" from the air that this was the place for us to be, forever.

As said before, Bonaire does not have the long, white, sandy beaches like Aruba but it also does not have the crowds, hustle and bustle and traffic jams, etc. Nice and easy does it on Bonaire.

We ended up buying a unit at Divi Flamingo Beach on our first trip to Bonaire. We already owned one in Aruba at the Divi Village so now we use both weeks in Bonaire, strictly.

Divi Bonaire has a small, intimate beach with very easy access, lake-like waters and wonderful fish to see even without having to wear a mask! Just look down and there they are....we love the Divi. You might want to try the Divi as it is intimate, has the little beach, the casino, restaurants, mini shops, salon, pools and is very, very close to town...short walk along the walkway on the waterside.

Just keep in mind Bonaire is not Aruba but I think you will enjoy the quiet, serene and relaxing atmosphere she has. Not to mention her beautiful people. Try snorkeling at the Divi house reef...Calabas...it will be will worth your while! Ayo.

I hope someone here will comment on this from experience on both islands but I believe the 'casinos' on Bonaire are rather smaller with lower stakes than Aruba.

Hi, Glen, you are very right, but that is another wonderful thing about Bonaire in my eyes....more intimate casinos to go along with everything else which is not done on an over-large grand scale. I could do without the smoke in the casinos (everywhere, actually) but that is "life" in the casinos and that won't change any time soon.

Divi's casino was expanded a bit recently and is nice. Very small compared to Aruba and other Caribbean casinos, but just as much fun in my book. cb