I am looking for a one or two bedroom place on the ocean for my wife and me. I was considering Esmeralda (have not heard back for the real estate company). Do yall have any suggestions or comments as to Esmeralda or others. We would prefer a house and we enjoy our privacy, however, economics is a vital part of the final decision. In the past we have stayed at Den Laman and a larger house with our whole family in Belnem and we liked both. This will be our fourth time to Bonaire. Thanks for any suggestions.

If economics is a vital part of the decision, consider renting a little bit away from the ocean! You'll have a rental truck anyway (I presume) so why the need to be right on the water? You'll be oceanfront for most of the day while you are diving and/or snorkeling. I personally do not see the need to be oceanfront in the early morning, late evening and at night. Just a thought.

Warner, We always stay at Captn Don's in Villa #7 or 8 semi-private house studio's on 2nd floor and 1 bedrooms on the main floor - If you Dont need to be ocean front the apartments they have or Hamlet Oasis are also very nice. Our personal preference is to be ocean front.

Warner, two words "Pelican Reef House"

http://www.bonairelodging.com/pelicanreef/

I haven't stayed there but I have visited friends who stayed there. The house reef is Something Special. Quite a few BTers have stayed there and loved it.

(Message edited by lovetodive on July 21, 2009)

If you want to get a package with a car, contact Ann Phelan. Now I need to find her email...help anyone?

Ann Phelan www.bonairebliss.com

there you go Tink

or Anne Phelan www.bonairecaribbean.com

Off the water check out http://bonairenet.com/bougainvillea/
or for ocean side check out
http://www.casa-iguanabonaire.com/
We have stayed at both. Our favorite is Casa Bougainvillea.

We love Belmar..all the rooms ocean front and since you have already stayed on that part of the island, it might fit your bill

Sand Dollar Unit A-15. You can see it at www.vrbo.com. I believe the vrbo no. is 70012. Even if that condo does not interest you, you can search other properties in Bonaire. Great website.

We were going to stay at Casa Iguana this Nov/Dec and changed our plans when we found out that a 2 story condo unit is planned to be built right next door soon. Very nice place, but you might want to ask about the construction. Plus it is the lower level of the house and above you there is another rental unit so you have to share the water side patio with other guests so that was not as private as we preferred.

I have spent several months in Bonaire staying in various properties, including Hamlet Oasis. Then I found Bonaire Exclusief and fell in love with it. Bonaire Exclusief is a community of about 30 privately owned bungalows with a small community pool within 5 minutes walk to the sea front and a few more to Kralendijk for shops, restaurants etc.
Very convenient, friendly and not expensive.

We stayed in a Sand Dollar studio #91778 last year. It was just beautiful, very convenient. The owner thought of just about every possible convenience. It was in F building street level. We are going back next year again.

Trevor, do you rent a place there or do you own a place there?

Hi Debbie No I don't own a place there but rented there on my last two trips.

Sand Dollar A 1 is on the water, you fall asleep listening to the waves, just 1 Bedroom (not a studio) , we loved staying there last April. Can be rented on the www.vrbo.com site ( I am not the owner).