We're looking to go in April or May and have no idea where to stay. We're on a budget, but would like a place that is a bit nicer than basic with a bedroom separate from the sitting area and a kitchen to save some $ on meals. I noticed some places offer a drive/dive package which looks good, but I don't know what places are better than others, or which locations are the best. Or, would it be cheaper to rent a townhouse in the residential area and do it all separate? I'm so confused!

Can anyone help? Please!

Hi Nancy,

Welcome to the board. Get ready to be flooded with everyone's personal favorite. We all have a place which "is exactly where you need to go".

It is my experience on Bonaire resorts and apartments, that:

1. The advertising is mostly honest.
2. The quality in each type of operation is similar.
3. Usually wherever one stays becomes "The best".

Just identify what you are really looking for, then go with one of the operators that offer it.

By the way, for what it is worth, I am returning to WannaDive Bonaire and Eden Beach in less than a week. Which is of course - exactly what you are looking for;-{)}

Next---

good advice from Tom

might want to just take a drive/dive package the first trip - until you have a little more opportunity to check things out...

good luck!

Hi Nancy and welcome to the board.
I have to agree with the rest. There are lots of places on Bonaire and it's hard to get a bad place. Everybody has there favorites. The best advise I can give is to look at everything that is included in the price. Some offer just the room while others the room and a vehicle. I like the room/vehicle/breakfast combo myself. You will want a vehicle of some sort so you will have to rent one if it does not come with the package. With the exception of breakfast, I would NOT get an all inclusive package, there are loads of good places to eat on the island.
One way we save some is to drop the boat dives that are included in the package that we usually get. We much prefer to shore dive and it saves us $100pp. You can always add the boat dives back if you change your mind or just purchase them one at a time.
Ok, guess I should give you my favorite, we stay at Buddy Dive and get the "Dive and Drive" package.

Nancy,
Wherever you stay will be great BUT....
We were just as confused last year when we went to book, so we went down with only one night booked and then did our scouting. My Trip Report says it best.
http://bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/31140.html?1021997999
Or look in May 2002 for a report titled "an Innkeepers Trip Report..."
Linda

You might want to take a look at Sand Dollar, they have very complete, studio , one two and three bedroom units all with very complete kitchens. They have some of the best shore diving right in front, Bari Reef is rated # 1 in Caribbean for fish life. We're a little partial to Sand Dollar, we own a two bedroom unit there. No matter what place you pick you will have a great time.

Divi has an special 777 dive drive stay. We did it last year. Great deal.

We have stayed at Buddy Dive the past 4 times we have been there and they have a great dive/drive package which includes studio apartment and breakfast buffet daily. We have been very pleased with the resort, staff and the package deal.

In fairness I have also stayed at Buddy Dive 4 times, with nothing but praise for the whole operation. Even though I choose to stay elsewhere
I still return to do at least a dive or two with Murph and Alex.

Oh yeah, the Omelet Lady is incredible as well.

Lions Dive is our choice, they do a good package deal along with the Lions Den restaurant and Bon Bini dive (all on the premises) but check out the web sites. I also think that the ads are remarkably accurate!

hi Nancy,

I'm a relative Bonaire "rookie" in that I've only been twice. I've stayed at the Divi and Buddy and have nothing but compliments about both. The shared house reefs at Sand$,Buddy,Lion's and Capt Don's are just fantastic. You could spend your whole trip diving them 5 times a day and see something new on every dive. (Ask me how I know - lol)

If you want to stay on the water with a place with an on-site dive operator it does cost a wee bit more. Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn always gets rave reviews and he's right next door to the Divi if you want to visit a restaurant-bar and casino.

In general the lodging inland is less expensive and nowhere is really all THAT far from the water. You will need a vehicle to fully enjoy the Bonaire experience wherever you stay. A pickup truck or mini van is great for shore diving and lugging around wet gear.

I predict you too will fall in love with the place as all of us have.

Hey Tom,

In reference to your post, I agree, Alex and Murph are just all around GREAT!!!

Renea,

Yes they are.

We like Eden and Wanna Dive and Bongo's....of course thats the only place we have stayed...on our only trip to Bonaire...so we are a useless sample of one.
Our evolving trip report is in that section as Wally and Eva's Random Trip Report (unfinished and not read to much).
Sorry, don't know how to do the link thing and too lazy to learn...Linda?
Can say we enjoyed putting our own "package" together and the money was the same as a store bought package.
But, then again, I was hitchhiking through Europe in '72 at the ripe old age of 15...so I'm probably also a poor example.

Wally, Me too, which is why I am returning to EB next Tuesday.

By the way the reason I chose Eden last year was to dive with my old friends Bart and Roeland ("Call Me Bob"). Bart used to be the Dive Ops manager for Buddy Dive, and Bob was a dive master there before they decided to start WannaDive.

Like I have said in other post on this board every
repeat visitor finds their own "favorite", some find it the very first time - you are lucky to have struck it rich the first visit:-{)}

My wish, is to one day be able to pronounce Roeland properly without bring up phlegm!!!!

Lion's Dive gets my vote-we've been there 3 times! Check out Caradonna Tours and talk to Kim-she was very helpful, and you might be able to get a package. The condos are spacious, the dive shop terrific, and the reef out front is great diving. It's hard to make a bad choice in Bonaire, but as someone previously pointed out, everyone has there favorites. Enjoy!

We have stayed at Sand Dollar twice and this time we are trying Carib Inn mainly because of the feedback I have read and the fact they have a 3 bedroom house which we needed. They seem to be quite reasonable in price - the 3 bedroom unit is only $180.00 per night which for 3 couples works to a reasonable $60. each couple. Sand Dollar was great - we actually stayed in the Zale's unit which is a lovely 2 bedroom unit. It just couldn't accomodate the 6 of us this time. I do know that Carib Inn, because it is a smaller establishment, tends to fill up really quickly. Read some of the postings under Trip Reports to see what people say about where they have stayed and of course under this heading.

image{wannaa}

ooops

Wally...has anyone provided some water and extra sunblock to the 6'3" Dutch woman sunbathing all this time??? Don't want her to dehydrate or fry out there all over the island...she is moving from place to place quite swiftly, from what I can see.....she is "a la buff", too, from what I can depict.....needs LOTS of sunblock for that 6'3" frame! Carole

carol,

surely, it's a male thing but those tall european women frequently seen on bonaire are truly inspirational...

"...i wish there was enough of you to wrap around me twice...can't get enough of you baby..."

whatever,

|

Quite understand, Bob! LOL. Carole

As grandpa used to say to me "Look thar boys..now she's a long drink of water".
Us little boys would look at grandpa like he was nutty...better go get pa's hat ..the sun's making him talk crazy

You may wish to check out our trip report: http://caribbean.wheretostay.com/property/053-reviews.html about the Sorobon Beach Resort.

didyou make a decision yet? we are also carib inn fans but really havent heard anything bad about sand dollar, captain don's, plaza, divi, etc.