Is there a minimart close, or somewhere to get a few "snack" groceries (ie cereal, crackers)within walking distance?

Sandollar grocery store is a few minutes away.

You may want to mortgage your home though if you intend buying more than a few items.

As many of you may already know, the owner of Sand Dollar Grocery is ill and I have been helping him out by taking over the management until he is better and can return. I hope the mods will allow me a brief defence re the "morgtage slam" from Anthony, however the prices are no higher than most convenience stores in larger cities. You all would be amazed at how much the expenses are to run a business on Bonaire. True you will find items that are higher priced than in Cultimara and Warehouse but we are happy to be able to fill a need.

Thanks Michael for your insight. I for one appreciate everything that you do for people.

We ALWAYS get lots of things from Sand Dollar. There are things there that we can not find in the other stores. We always get tea and gatoraide from there. And the cookies...LOTS of cookies! Oh, there goes my diet... See you in 2 weeks and 5 days Michael!

I always get things from Sand Dollar that I can't get elsewhere on the island and it is always fresh, which means a lot. Great selection of American items too. See ya soon, Michael! You're doing a great job and I don't think the prices are too bad at all, won't stop me from shopping there.

Just to clarify, I was being light hearted.

However, it is fair to say that Sand Dollar grocery is more expensive than the supermarkets in town, a fact that you Michael concede.

It is convenient to shop at Sand Dollar for essentials if staying at the surrounding resorts, but, to save money, it is fair to say that a trip to the supermarkets to buy bulk will save money.

Many people who travel to Bonaire are on a budget and it is only fair to point out that there are cheaper alternatives away from the resorts.

Antony (Without the "H")

I believe the question from the original poster was lost here somewhere. Deborah stated: Is there a minimart close, or somewhere to get a few "snack" groceries (ie cereal, crackers)within walking distance?

The key words I see here is "within walking distance" That would lead me to believe she may not have a car. That said, sending her into town to other stores will certainly cost her a lot more as she would have to rent a taxi or car to get there.

Deborah, Sand Dollar Grocery is perfect for what you need, you will find everything you need in that regard. Another treat for a nice "snack" is Lover's Ice Cream, which is right next door to Sand Dollar Grocery. Best Ice Cream on island. They have a/c indoor seating and also some outside seats to enjoy an ice cream treat! Enjoy your time on island. Would love to be there enjoying a tasty wafflecone from there!

"Is there a minimart close, or somewhere to get a few "snack" groceries (ie cereal, crackers)within walking distance?"

Yes, Sand Dollar Grocery meets your request PERFECTLY.

We walk there from Capt. Don's when we need a quick item...just like any "convenience store".

Say, where does that Lover's ice cream come from?

Lovers comes from the C in ABC's as does the Brites!!! The coconut is my favorite :-))

Michael, don't I remember getting fresh bread and things like that at SandDollar grocery back in November? We also found that diet pepsi was only a few more nfl there vs Warehouse, and since we are at SD it pays to walk over for the little stuff.

Patrick

I just now bought a single Polar beer from Sand Dollar grocery to sip while I check my email and do some internet stuff. It was the same price as a Polar at China Nobo last night which is a place where many locals have drink beer. I was there playing pool and having a few beers after I won $15 at black jack at the casino. (boy do I now how to have fun)

Aquama

Barry, enjoy every bubble :-)

Try the tira misau (SP) ice cream..it is fabulous! Of course chocolate is still my favorite. Another benefit of being close to Lovers is the wonderful smell of waffle cones being made. I just about go nuts when they open the door and the smell permeates the neighborhood!

Tiramisau (?) was my downfall on our first trip to Bonaire...I have just been gaining ever since!! And NOW you tell me there's Ice Cream Tiramisau??? NOOOOoooooo!! I'll be there for some on Friday, Feb. 8th...so save me some!!

Barry....is Bubbles watching the board? LOL. You'd better be a good boy while you are down there! LOL. Hugs. Carole

Sand Dollar is just like any 7-11 or fast mart here in the US. Nothing wrong with that.

AND.....the internet cafe' next door sells Cuban and Dominican cigars!!

Lover's is the perfect place for a surface interval and getting into a friendly argument with your buddies about the next dive site! Staying at Buddy's, our group makes good use of that whole strip!

I live here on the island and I always stop in at Chat n Browse and Sand Dollar grocery. They are both really convenient and all the people working there are friendly and courteous.

That being said, prices probably do seem high compared to the US or Canada. You should keep in mind that everything here has to be imported and electricity is quite expensive.

Thanks, folks. We may not have a car the first day, so the Sanddollar sounds great to get us started. Or maybe the whole time. We aren't cooking, so don't need much! Now if only someone there sold Diet Dr Pepper........Guess I'll have to bring a few or go into withdrawal.

Warehouse has it sometimes. Presently they only have regular.

My son loves the pasteles at Sand Dollar Market. he would walk down every day to buy one.

But I wish you could buy real milk there--cannot get used to the stuff on the shelf.

We like to not have a truck all the time and Sand Dollar grocery is a short walk from Capn Don's. It is very convenient and great service. By the way Brights are no longer from C they now came from H.

Michael we are back in about 46 days if you need anything from the UK let us know.

H ????

Fresh milk is always a problem..everytime we try it we run into sour milk. Maybe by the next visit, we can have a reliable source. H is Holland.
A small pack of walkers shortbread always goes well with morning coffee.

Michael, no problem, how about curry powder?

Brian, I am sure Micheal would enjoy some tea and crumpets........ and maybe some bubble and squeak after you have been here long enough to build up a supply of leftovers.........

THe one thing you might miss if staying a week is fresh fruit, which Sand Dollar mini-mart did not have last week and looked like it did not carry - which is not unusual for a that type of business. They did have lots of snack goodies and I believe they have diet coke which was also the only diet choice at the larger grocery we visited in town. I also had withdrawl from Diet DP but diving got me through the tough times.
If you can manage it, a day trip both north (at least until the road goes one way) and south to the light house are really worth the effort. Great views and totally different in each direction.
I went with diving in the a.m. and the driving trips in the aftn which worked well for us. It takes about a 1/2 day in each direction to be able to stop and 'smell the roses'. The top and bottom of 1000 steps has nice views and if you stop at the next dive spots down the road, you can look back at the steps about a 1/2 miles down the road which also has great views. You can also see the remains of a trail that went back to 1000 steps but appears to be no longer maintained.

I love fresh fruit after a dive so I load up on some when I am going diving. One thing I do find, the person with fresh cut pinapple to share with the dive buddies after a dive is one popular person! And I find apples withstand the rigors of my dive bag pretty well when hauling them to dive sites
The grocery in town has both and if you have no transport, maybe one of the dive buds you meet at the resort will take a liking to you and haul you around a bit. Everyone I met was very friendly.

If you make it to town, there is a nice bakery on your left on the road into town but they are closed on Sun and Mon and sometimes are not there during the posted times as well. I think the name was Last Bite Bakery and we liked the products there - they are not cheap but not so different than bakeries in the US. Its about 100-200 yds before the road turns sharp left in downtown and has a sign.