Hi all, To my great sadness I read in SCUBA magazine that the DIVI DIVI Hotel/Resort chain is going to begin building an All Inclusive Large Resort next to the Den Laman. Construction is to begin in Spring of 07 and complete in 08. Good for the local economy, but sad for an enduring little island meant for divers and for me. Does anyone have any other info on this project?
Thanks

It will replace a hotel that was a bit smaller in scope and if it does materialize as planned will not do much to change Bonaire. This island has a funny way of keeping its identity no matter how many entrepenuers come and try to "light a fire under us". So Sandy, never fear. Bonaire will prevail!

I worry about the kind of divers that frequent all-inclusives and cruise ships, and their impact on the reefs.

call me crazy but don't most of the hotels on the island offer "all inclusive" packages?

and what do cruise ships have to do with it?

don't mean to cause a stir, but those comments seem very random and misguided.

I for one do not want Bonaire to become a destination for "cruise ship divers" either, but I just don't see the connection.

Scott...I don't know how to answer your question, but have one for you. Where have you found an all-inclusive on Bonaire? To my knowledge there are none (except for the two now being built) and the packages offered by the resorts do not even come close to the amenities at an all-inclusive.

I'm not sure there is a correlation between where divers choose to stay and their diving ability. When I worked as a DM in the FL keys, we would get loads of cruise ship people on our dive boat. some of them were gumbies and some of them were really careful. the same was true for people staying in budget motels who were there for a hard core diving vacation. some were good divers, some would stand on top of the reef to adjust their tank. i think it all depends on how well you were educated about coral reefs.

wow, so quick to knock a place before it is even built...

please reference the all-knowing expert Michael Gaynor's response. I believe that he is on the money with his analysis.

this is not the Ritz that they are building. and how do you know all of these "amenities" that are not even offered yet?

Sandollar, Divi Flamingo, Capt Don's, etc...they ALL offer some sort of all-inclusive, just Bonaire style...which I am hoping will be the case at this new resort. Judging from what I have read, this will indeed be the case.

as mentioned above...not all divers are looking for the same thing.

David - I like all-inclusive resorts and cruise ships...so does that make me a coral cruncher...get real Man!}

please don't argue with me. I do not want to bicker, that is ridiculous and unnecessary.

all i am trying to point out is that this place is not even built and there is so much hostilty towards it.

see Cactus Blue discussion. there are always 2 sides to the story.

In my opinion, there is hostility toward the all inclusive among repeat long-time Bonaire visitors because the all inclusive concept conjures up the image of guests who are more interested in the accomodations than in the diving. I ran across this same take from a long time Bonaire resident in a conversation I was having while on island last week. I am wary of cruise ships and all inclusive resorts - they are the primary reason I shifted to Bonaire from Cozumel 6 years ago. This is just an opinion - I would suggest that noone really knows for sure until it actually happens - which I hope it doesn't. Nonetheless, I'm planning my 9th Bonaire trip as we speak.

"I ran across this same take from a long time Bonaire resident in a conversation I was having while on island last week"

The opinion of one long term resident does not necessarily represent the majority of residents. I'm sure there are many residents that will welcome the new all-inclusive resorts. If handled correctly the all-inclusives should increase tourism to an island that survives on tourism.

Scott..take a breath, relax. The amenities I was referring to were in reference to the current all inclusives you mentioned. There are no true all inclusives on Bonaire: watersports, dancing, drinks, all meals, multiple restaurants, etc... There was no knocking of any amenities in the proposed new establishment, just trying to figure out where you came up with the idea that there were all inclusives already on Bonaire.

Your first post was vague and you were making it sound like there were already all inclusives on Bonaire. There are not any which are comparable to the normal and acceptable term of all inclusive, which is why the African Resort and the new Divi are proclaiming to be the first.

Too many people are upset when they discover that their package was not all inclusive, just look at some of the trip reports. It is not fair to state there are all inclusives when the Bonaire style is not what most people think of when they hear all inclusive.

Some of the resorts on Bonaire offer packages - but none of them so far (prove me wrong with an actual pointer to the web pages, please) offer an "all-inclusive". If you are unclear on the concept, look at Jamaica.

Tim: It seems to me that what you're saying assumes there are many all inclusive only guests waiting in the wings to travel to Bonaire once an all inclusive is completed. I find that hard to believe.

wow Susan...that was unnecessary.

Marcus: I didn't give any numbers. I didn't assume anything. I don't know how many all inclusive guests there are "waiting in the wings".

But it seems reasonable that if a corporation is going to spend a lot of money and build an all-inclusive there would follow a reasonable marketing effort to fill that new resort. There is a good chance that these marketing efforts will reach people that have not considered travelling to Bonaire.

There is also a great many people that will ONLY stay at all-inclusives, which means that once the all-inclusives are built, those people might actually consider coming to Bonaire, whereas previously the lack of all-inclusives would keep them away.

I can see how you would find it, "hard to believe" that there are many people waiting in the wings to come to bonaire to stay at an all inclusive. I said and implied no such thing. I simply said that having such resorts, if handled correctly "should increase tourism to an island that survives on tourism" I did not say how much it would increase; as I don't know.

Tim: True, you didn't say how much tourism would increase. All I can tell you is this - here, where I'm from, there are 8 of us who have been to Bonaire anywhere from 1 - 8 times in the last 6 years and to a person we are against and won't support an all inclusive on Bonaire. This, and posts on Bonaire Talk, is the only representative sample of opinion I have to go by so I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I Hope this deal is "well handled" for the sake of Bonaire's reefs. Have good day.

Scott, what on earth does Cactus Blue have to do with this discussion?? Two sides to a story? What story? I posted a very horrid experience I had there when they first opened. Over time, others went and posted good stuff, some posted some negative experiences as well., so all that shows you is a mixed review in MHO. Rant over.

Sorry, didn't mean to start a firestorm here. Just wanted to know if anyone else had more info on the project. Michael,thanks for your input, I value your opinion and your comments about Bonaire surviving make me feel better. I just don't want Bon to turn into Cozumel or Cabo or other locations that people go to mainly to party or for Bonaire to become so overdeveloped that there is very little open space left to breathe. It is good to know though that all of you guys who responded do share some kind of passion for Bonaire and all feel comfortable to share your feelings. Thanks all. Can we all go back and play nice in the sandbox now?

Scott,

What was unnecessary, telling you that I believed you were wrong (but inviting you to prove that I was wrong)? Stating that Bonaire resort "packages" are in no way comparable to all-inclusives a la Jamaican resorts like Sandals and Beaches? They aren't.

How is that unnecessary?

I've been known to be mean to people here before, but I'm completely at a loss as to why you seem to think it's happened here.

"If you are unclear on the concept, look at Jamaica." ---that is totally unnecessary and patronizing. Nobody compared anything to Jamaica except you.

Susan, can you/we please just drop it? there is no need to keep bashing each other here.

Agree to disagree okay? just stop attacking.

Wow. Thinnest skin on record.
If I attack you, you'll know it.
Now, I'm done.

Jeez Susan...I guess I will just call you 2 cents Susan.

you are some piece of work.

OK I will have the last word ENOUGH!!!

I find this post troubling. I have been a Divi owner for many years and have found them to be a first rate organization. If you look at their other properties you will find them all to be well-maintained and operated in an "Island Friendly" manner including the all inclusive on Aruba. Let's give them a chance. I am sure Bonaire will benefit from another Divi resort.

PEACE...LOVE & HAPPINESS shall prevail on the lovely island known as Bonaire..

Jeez.

Tim,

I didn't call you a coral cruncher.

Your logic is faulty.

Bye.

Okay..time to weigh in here again. There are some places that will offer a modified all inclusive package here on Bonaire complete with plastic bracelets, etc. They seldom work since divers are a gregarious lot and don't want to be limited to one place to eat, dive, play, etc. My predicition is that Divi (an extremely well managed busiess) will end up with some sort of middle ground after testing the waters for a while. Please remember that Bonaire's procuct (tourism) is also a pretty well managed business in that even when it occassionly shots itself in the foot, they manage to keep delivering.

Need to increase my post number count.
There...I feel better... see how this works.

PS: Like the Divi operation on Cayman Brac, now closed. Like the Divi operation on Bonaire-and this is getting better. IMHO

Personally, I would never go all the way to Bonaire for an all inclusive. It's too hard logistically, I'd just go somewhere easier to get to (Coz, Belize, or others).

Don't forget that there are Antilleans from Curacao & Aruba that may be interested in such a resort, (I know Bonaireans who travel to CUR & AUA for the same thing). When Hotel Bonaire/Sunset Beach passed away, it greatly affected the local travel market; it seems like no other hotel/resort picked up that local traveler. The location was a favorite, because parents could hang at the bar/tables, with their kids only a few meters away, on the beach. It was their "comfort zone."

An all inclusive is not for everyone. But there are many out there who love the ease of no bills on checkout. Not having to worry about where do we eat our next meal at, or the cost of auto rentals etc. It has worked for many islands. Maybe because some of these islands are not safe to venture out in, or again just the ease of no worry. There are a few resorts on Bonaire that already offer some type of all-inclusive now. Eat, drink, sleep,dive& drive pkgs. This might open more routes from the US, and make it a bit easier for those who love to come to Bonaire to get here. I hope that the government does continue to allow for free beach access.

Jan, just a remider, Bonaire really does not have free beach access, as you have to pay the $30.00 fee to Bonaire Marine Park.

James, I was unaware that if you want to go to a beach to swim, build sand castles, relax, have a BBQ and enjoy the warm sun, you would need to pay a $30 fee to the Marine park

Especially since it's still $25 - for divers - and $10 for everyone else:

From infobonaire:

---

quote:

It is necessary for all who use the waters of the Bonaire National Marine Park to pay a Nature Fee of $10.00 per year ($25.00 for scuba divers). At the time of payment, you will receive a specially designed tag indicating your support for nature preservation and a receipt. Keep both, as they will also provide you with complimentary admission to Washington-Slagbaai National park throughout the year your tag is valid. Tags are available at all dive operations, hotels, resorts, windsurfing operations, sport fishing charter boats, sail/snorkel/water taxi operations, marinas, and other water sports operations on Bonaire.

---

This talk is very interesting. We happen to enjoy trying out different restaurants. However, an all inclusive would make it easier for families with children or non-divers to vacation together on Bonaire. It will open the door to divers that would otherwise miss out on the wonderful diving in Bonaire as it will offer a family friendly alternative. As for Scott & I, we will continue to enjoy the well established dive resorts and a variety of Island restaurants.

Don't get in any hurry for the Divi all-inclusive, they haven't broke ground yet. There is still a lot of old foundation material in place that will need to be removed before they can get started. The site is beginning to look good though. We were on the site on the old Sunset Beach Hotel last Wed. to look at the beach area, the sign for Sunset Beach Hotel is still up and even still has phone numbers on it. So will be a while yet before the Divi goes up, be patient, remember Bonaire is on island time.

Andy

I emailed Divi Flamingo to ask if they were planning to close/sell their current operation on Bonaire. The answer was that they plan on keeping DF open and in its same configuration.

Susan, Jan, et al.,

Glen Reem sent me an e-mail to ask for confirmation clarification on who has to pay the Marine Park fee.

Here's what Elsmarie Beukenboom of STINAPA had to say:

It does not matter where you go in the water, the law is that you have to have paid the entrance fee to the underwater park.

The fee is:
$25 for SCUBA Diver for a year and $ for a day.
$10 for users who will not be SCUBA diving for the year or $2 for a day [e.g., cruise ship tourists].

Exempt are children 12 years and younger.

To SCUBA dive everybody pays, also children.

The rangers of the underwater park will check if the fee has been paid by the users. Both the receipt (the white paper with your name on it) and the tag have to be carried by the ones who have paid the fee.

Users get free entrance to the Washington Slagbaai National Park when they show the receipt, the tag and a ID.

Take the white paper receipt with you underwater also?

Thanks Jake,
I too had emailed the park last week , as I was uaware of those who just swam or went into the water to cool off needed to pay... besides children 12 &under the following are also exempt: Antillean & Aruban Residents,and the crew of ships in transit.

Sorry,
The law passed on March 30, 2005.
It calls for an entrance fee to the underwater park.
Exempt are children 0-12 year, Antillean and Aruban residents and crew of ships in transit.
Everybody else pay to enter the underwater park to SCUBA dive $25 or $10 a day or $10 for any other use of the waters and $2 for a day.
Paying the entrance fee to the underwater park also covers the entrance to the Washington Slagbaai National Park. the user has to prove by bringing the white receipt they get when paying the fee and a picture ID to enter the terrestrial park.
The day pass does not give the free entrance to the terrestrial park.
I hope this explains.
Elsmarie Beukenboom

So my next question would be ... Do you think that the Divi or other hotels tell their guests who are non divers, snorklers, windsurfers or kite boarders that they need to pay a $10 fee PP to just go into the water.

Jake's post got me reading this thread. I remember Bruce Bowker posting on this thread. We all know the proposed $75.00 departure tax is now defunct, but I wonder if the cruise ship folks are still not paying the $2.00 user fee until November of 2007. Just curious :-) Guess I'll email the BPM and find out ;-)


http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/30/267393.html

Jan, to answer your question when we stayed at Divi in April they told me my children did not need tags (they are both under 12) and I knew from visiting many times my husband and I needed them but they did not tell us we needed them.

I have ony stayed at two all inclusives in my travels to the Caribbean. Once in Aruba at the Tamarin (sp) resort, and once on St. Lucia. There are people who will ony go to an all inclusive. If building an all inclusive will help better flights to get to Bonaire, so be it. Personally, I still like the smaller places without some maniac with a microphone directing water aerobics in the pool.

James, I am not a big fan of all inclusives myself but to each his own. I will say I had to laugh at your post because all I could picture was Richard Simmons with a megaphone!