We finally head to Bonaire next week I thought of (at least) a few more questions.

>We are initially staying at the GRI -- is it in walking distance to any restaurants? We will have a truck but I was just curious.

>What is the nearest nice beach to the GRI? We are aware Bonaire isn't known for great beaches, so it's just a general question.

>Our departure flight is at 7 a.m. We have to also drop off the rental truck. Ages ago, I had read you need to check in VERY EARLY for departures. Is that still true? It is on American (fwiw).

>Our first full day there are two cruise ships docking -- will it seem really crowded?

OK....gotta get back to my lists & packing Thanks!

GRI is walkable to Rum Runners, Buddy Dive and Den Laman. There is a side walk. A bit further is Bongos Bar and Restaurant.

I fly the AA flight often and get there 5:30 AM and do just fine. I have seen people come as late as 6.

Our island is never crowded..well, lately we do have a few traffic jams.

Thank U

I have no idea if the AB Rental office is open then (figure it isn't) so I'm not sure what our drop off procedure will be. Is their office IN the airport or nearby????

Thanks for the info....so we don't have to rise in the 'middle of the night' for our return flight....just the 'wee hours' ;)

I've done the early flight. Here is what you do. Unload your luggage, park the truck, and get checked in. By the time you finish with that it should be 6:00 or a little after. Then mosey on over to AB. If I remember correctly, they open at 6:00 during the week and actually open earlier on the weekend. You should be fine.

Terri -

Because Bonaire is a small island and it is easy to get around, you might consider cutting your car rental costs and last-minute details as we have when we've used AA.

An approach we've found that works quite well when taking the early AA flight, is to drop the car off the night before the flight and take a taxi to the airport in the morning.

Conversely, if you're coming in on the late AA, you might consider not picking your car up until the next morning. You could take a taxi to the airport, but you might well find a free lift if you make it known around the hotel you need a ride.

Following this scheme, you can probably avoid one full day of rental cost, a cost that is marginally beneficial insomuch as there's not much you would likely do with a car later at night and early in the morning.

Regardless, what a treat you have in store on Flamingo Island. You'll find the water significantly warmer and clearer than at home.

Buen viaje!

Charles Poteet
Dallas

Yes, we are basically doing that on the front end. Arriving late p.m. and getting free ride to hotel and then getting truck the following morning. Guess it would depend on the cost of a taxi vs. how time consuming it is to drop off the truck before our early departure. Thanks

Here's the AB web site - shows open at 5 AM on Sat., 6 AM otherwise.

http://www.abcarrental.com/

They do mention a 'night service' available at their airport location, for an extra charge, just below the operating hours. We've never used this 'night service', so I can't comment on it.

"Article 9" has more details for after hours stuff. Again, we haven't used this service ourselves.

http://www.abcarrental.com/reservations/terms_conditions_en.html

regarding the cruise ships...you'll see more people walking around in town and you'll notice more tour buses on the roads but it shouldn't affect your plans. there has been a craft mart set up in wilheminapleine across from the dock. some of the shops will be more crowded...lots of lookers but i don't know if they actually buy anything. we've been there when the queen mary docked...it was very impressive to see but it seemed like most of the passengers remained on board.