My wife and I are hoping to come to Bonaire in November for our first visit. We will be snorkeling and sight seeing for the week. We would like a place that has a kitchenette, is within walking distance to a beach (so my wife can relax while I snorkel), has great snorkeling that is not really deep or too far from shore, and is not super expensive. It does not have to be beachfront (bonus points if it is or has a view) but close enough we can carry our gear.

We plan on renting a vehicle for at least part of the trip to do some snorkeling in the park and at Lac Bay (along with sight seeing) and we hope to do a few snorkeling tours. I figure if we can save a bit on accommodations we can use the savings on tours, etc.

Any input and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie
We have regularly stayed at BonaireFun Apartments and were very satisfied with them. Centrally located on walking distance from shore, dive shop, sandy beach and town centre. Very decent rates. They do have fully equipped kitchens.

Coco Palm Garden is a great place to stay. Have a look:
http://www.cocopalmgarden.org/

Prizes start around $ 60 a night for 2 people including all taxes and charges.
Apartments are great and really reflect the island feeling, they have dinner night as well, forgot what day but great place!

Beaches are close by since it is on the road to Lac Cai. Bachelors Beach is a 2 minutes walk and Donkey Beach a 5 min. walk.

You can check with Anne Phelan www.bonairebliss.com . Maybe she can help you out

Divers paradise had a good price for us for 2 weeks. You have beach access at the Black durgon to the beach.


http://www.diversparadisebonaire.com/

Hi, Jaime.

I'll add my vote to Divers Paradise along with Ryan's. I think Michael gave me a fair rate for 8 nights in November. This will be my first trip to Bonaire as well. After much thought, DP ended up being my choice. Request an oceanview rate.

Jamie,

Sorobon Beach Resort meets all your requirements. All the chalets are only steps from the beach and the snorkeling in Lac Bay is great. The chalets all have a small kitchen and have a/c at night. The resort itself is small and the people there are wonderful. It is clothing optional, but after the first day there you will become very comfortable the environment. My wife and I go every year. www.sorobonbeachresort.com Greg

We were in your shoes in March and after quite a bit of research settled on Eden Beach. The accommodations were actually ideal - beach access, 1.5 km walking distance to town, wonderful staff, nice rooms with kitchenette, great views from the 3rd floor rooms, great breakfasts, reasonable rate. We also are snorkelers and you have access to some really fine, easy in and easy out shore locations. Give them a go. Only caveat - specify a soft mattress because that was the only negative we found.

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/cgi-local/bbs/show.cgi?tpc=24&post=573609#POST573609

Sorobon is lovely, but unfortunately it's very expensive - especially as they've now added an unadvertised 5% service charge on all bar/restaurant purchases!

Greg, I would like to respectfully disagree with Sorobon. Lac Bay is a great place for snorkeling and beach but it is really somewhat of a distance from everything else that Bonaire has to offer first timers. I really believe that a place more central benefits the first timer so that they too can suffer from traumatic post-Bonaire Syndrome, The only remedy for which is to return asap!!!

Ken,

Although Sorobon is not in town, nothing is really that far away, if you have a car. Renting a car is a must if you want to see the island, especially the park.

Agreed Greg, but I still think that a newbie to the island is better served by being located more central. Anyone else have some thoughts?

My husband and I spent a week at Divers Paradise in february and it was fabulous. So quiet, not walking distance to town, but you have beach, water access right across the street at black durgeon, good snorkeling right there, and wife can sit at black durgeon, or lie in a hammock, everyone is super nice and divers paradise is awesome, you have a good view nice balcony and a kitchenette,very spacious place.LOVED it!!

Thanks for all the great info, keep it coming. Sorobon is probably a bit pricey and a bit 'adventurous' for us but it does look great.

on our first four trips to bonaire we stayed at carib inn and loved it. first room was #3 which is a studio unit on the pool. on our third visit we moved up to #7, a two room unit with a kitchen overlooking the water. can't beat it. on the water, great dive shop, walking distance to town, good house reef...what more could you ask?

I would definately look at the Caribbean Club or even Buddy dive for this...not a real beach at either place, but relatively inexpensive and areas to enjoy the sun and water for snorkeling. Caribbean Club would be my better choice for snorkeling and Buddy's for the beach type atmosphere.

First trip ~ Divi Flamingo

Our 5th trip to Bonaire and spent two weeks at the Caribbean Club, would not recommend that for a first timer. We called this last trip Bonaire on a Budget, that is "Caribbean Club" I would rate it a "C". However I heard that their new two bedroom rooms are very nice, the older side is just that old. It is the stepchild to Buddy Dive, they get the older trucks, maybe they will fill the tank room if not you can get tanks at buddy dive, and if the cook calls in sick there is no breakfast. (Just a few things that stuck out) I feel that it would give a first timer the wrong impression of the beauty of Bonaire. Then after a few visits and a person knows their way around and are comfortable with Bonaire then Caribbean Club is ok for saving some money.

Bonaire Ocean Front is a 3 minute walk to the center of town, has a waterfront pool with palapa's, steps just outside the gate to the ocean. It also has full kitchen, and every unit has a view of the sea which is directly across the blvd for swimming,snorkeling or diving. About a quarter of a block to club nautica's pier where the water taxi will take you to Klein Bonaire.. the best beach and snorkeling on the island in my opinion. The water taxi is 7 bucks I think and runs most of the day.

Hi Joan!
Yes Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments is a hidden jewel! Clean, full kitchen, A/C, and a veiw that is hard to beat! Plus you get a free breakfast(5x)per week. The free wake up food is really GOOD! Fresh water pool, and Diveshop on site! The price is the best treat! Book it soon as there is only 13 apartments... Ron


SunRentals Bonaire.
Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments
info@sunrentalsbonaire.com
www.sunrentalsbonaire.com
Phone: +599 717 6130
Toll free: 011 866 464 1786
Cell: +599 786 2312
Fax: +599 717 6136

(Message edited by ronindiana on May 12, 2009)

Indeed it is. I don't know if you remember me Ron, it has been a few years, but I met you at oceanfront.