My husband and I and another couple are planning a trip to Bonaire the end of February 2001. Both husbands are experienced divers. Us ladies are currently non-divers but will be beginners by the time we get there. After reading all the postings on accomadations - I can't decide what to choose, so I'm hoping someone can help me out. We don't need anything expensive as we are hardly ever in our rooms anyway. But we would like a hotel or whatever close to town with a restaurant, pool and beach. As we will be renting a car we can actually stay further out of town. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!!

Kay

I have to think that Divi Flamingo, which will have finished renovations by that time, is your best bet to fill the requirements you mention: reasonable, pool, restaurant, close to town...and they do have the best and most accommodating dive operation! Also allows easy walking to nearly every restaurant. If you feel uncertain and you can wait to make the decision, several frequent contributors to this website are going there in May, and will be reporting back on current conditions, but I believe it merits serious consideration for your stay.

We will be going end of May and will gladly make a report, in fact we're going back in Oct. for my birthday and then I will make an honest comparison
too.It has had some renovation and promises more.
Both Robert and I feel the same about Divi, My husband & I learnd to dive there and my sons took there open water there too. (a great idea then you can max your time under) the dive staff has been together for a while now and are very competent teachers and their nice guys too. DM's know where to find things so we like to dive with them sometime. and so clear lots of fish right off dock,then you can take your first dive with your husbands right there . As many places as we dive on Bonaire we seem to find the most amazing things right in our own "backyard" at Divi, walk to town no fear at all, The people are so friendly drive around and see the sites. Divi has a small casino too. very casual Check back After June 11 cann't wait to go!

I would try Sand Dollar or Captain Don's or Plaza. All three will meet your description. They come generally recommended on the web sites.

Bill's recommendations are good ones, as well. One question is "what do you mean by close to town?" Walking only, or driving? Plaza and Divi are walking distance...I don't know if I would relish the walk from Sand Dollar or Capt Don's.

Bob is right, Sand Dollar and Buddies are far enough out that one would not want to walk into town under a hot sun or carry groceries back. Lisa wrote "As we will be renting a car we can actually stay further out of town". If you stay at any of the three places, you will have good accomodations with snorkelling on your doorstep. All three have first class dive operations as well. Putting a restaurant and pool on your list pretty much locks you into the resorts.

Next door to the Sand Dollar there is a small grocery store, and a ice cream parlor (Lover's, if I am not mistaken) that are very useful: if you need something suddenly, you don't have to go to town. It doesn't replace Cultimara, but can be very useful.

Check us out at www.barankabonaire.com as we can make a suitable rate for you.

Sincerely,
Leo mayer

Check out www.barankabonaire.com. We rented a 2 bedroom apt. with kitchen at the Oceanfront Apts. last month. Very nice and prices are very reasonable. Close to town (walking distance), on-site tanks and equipment storage (tanks provided by Dive Inn), Very nice/clean fresh water pool. We were there 2 weeks and found this to be very comfortable.

Returned yesterday from our stay at the Divi.Would stay there again. Yes, renovation in progress, but making good changes. Best snorkling for fish right out the beach. Can go Morning,noon and night. Easy walk to town, but don't made it a 2:00pm one, cause it is hot.Many close choices to eat.

Hi Kay,
I think that your best bet it to stay in a private home or villa. It would be cost efficient for you. Check out www.sunrentals.an for less expencive places to stay.

Myself and two diving friends just returned last week from Bonaire. I can highly recomend the Belmar Apts. as a place to stay. They have great apts. with real nice kitchens and living areas. The staff is very helpful and they have a dive shop service provided by The Plaza Res. right outside your apartment. They will also take care of rent car or truck in our case and your tanks for shore diving. We stayed four nights and had a 2 bedroom deluxe suite with unlimited dive tanks and a brand new Toyota Crew cab truck for just $418.00 U.S. each. They have a real nice pool area with beautiful ocean view, but no beach or resturant on sight.