Hello all!!

We're planning a trip to BON in a month (3rd wk of March) - and this time we decided to find an apt/condo instead of staying at the Plaza like we've done our last two trips (loved it but want something different). We want to use Toucan Diving again, since we had such a great experience with them.

We've been looking at several places, but many have air conditioning only in the bedroom. My husband thinks he'll sweat to death while watching TV and is afraid of being stuck in the bedroom in order to stay cool. I say we'll be ok, but I have a higher tolerance for heat.

Any comments from more experienced folk?

On a side note - anyone else going that week that might want to get together????

thanks!
-Ana

AC in the bedroom only is fairly standard on Bonaire. Many places have ceiling fans in the non-AC rooms. I think he would be okay during March. I wouldn't suggest it during our hottest times like August or September for someone that is very heat sensitive.

might try the belmar apartments - if you run both bedroom air conditioners and leave the bedroom doors open you can freeze the whole place ;)

(my mom made me do it)

for me, part of the fun, given that bonaire is ecologically aware (or something), i try to go all week without AC - made it last time in dec but i did have a couple of rough nights...nothing that a good morning dive couldn't fix though...

And please remember to close the AC when you leave the hotel/house for the day...the elec bills are high there..ok, off my soapbox.

(my Mom made me do it too)

Hi Ana,
We have been to Bonaire in July and found it fine with ceiling fans and AC in the bedrooms. I think you will be fine in March.
If you want to know who will be there and when go to Everything Else Bonaire and look for Feb/Mar BTers. That has most of us and our dates.
We will be there the first two weeks of March. Have a great trip! Mary Lou

Ana:

Watching TV,are you nuts! Just kidding. I run hot, but am still able to get by with AC in only the bedroom. First day or two I may be hot but after that all is fine.

Oh, and whats wrong with being stuck in the bedroom?

Dave

very good points, Dave!

My sister is very heat intolerant, she thinks anything over 60f is hot. She managed in June without A/C during the day by wearing cotton clothing that she dampened and wrung out and by using a spray bottle to help keep herself damp. Bonaire has a very steady breeze that helps keep you cool also if you are in the shade. Besides who wants to sit around watching TV when there is all that water with fish to enjoy.

Hi Ana and everybody else,

At Port Bonaire you (can) have A/C in all the rooms . So, even the living room can get chilly. But then you'll need to keep your doors to the porch or balcony closed, which is something that I don't like doing on Bonaire...
Of course, your husband can also stay in the stone cold bedroom watching tv, while you're hanging out in the livingroom with the ceiling fan on and the doors open..

Well, if it isn't Ana!
Long time no C!

Last June when you were at Plaza, Michelle and I were at Casa Oleander / CocoPalm Garden. You may recall we recommended it for your next trip... and now you are planning your next trip... so...

I think all of the units there have hammocks. If you close the curtains while away during the day and ventilate the room for a few minutes (with provided room fans) upon returning for the night, you'll have no worries about heat. Bare feet on the tile floors and a tall glass of lemonade will be the only A/C you need. But just in case, the rooms have quiet, modern A/C units if Frank just can't bear the natural air.

Got any spare airline tickets? We'd consider changing plans and meeting you there if you do... ;-)

Eden Beach and Caribbean Court have fully AC units as well as a few at Sand Dollar.

Thanks for all the responses (even the naughty ones, LOL!!)

Unfortunately, after looking at the finances again, we decided last night to postpone the trip (Major Crying Bout going on right now...). We'll start planning to go during the off-season to take advantage of the lower costs so your responses will still be useful.

I guess I'll just have to come back and prowl the board again to help me deal with the not-there-yet- Bonaire depression I'm sinking into...

Hi Leif - good to hear from you! Yes of course I remember you guys - and tell Michelle I loved the Chem Eng. song she emailed me.

Hey, you all over looking one of Bonaire's best assets!!! Ana, we own a townhouse in Bonaire and rent it out. We only have air conditioning in the Bedrooms. All of our previous rentees have told us that the "TRADE WINDS" truly keep the downstairs comfortable, and the ceiling fans help out. We also find this to be true. The trade winds make it feel a lot less hot! My dad has an intolerance to heat since his stroke a few years back. He visited Bonaire with us last year and didn't have a problem. Good luck!

Major Crying Bout... hehe... If the Maduro&Curiel's Bank ever messes up our paychecks, I'll know what to call them now

we've been to bonaire four times (admittedly in february/march/april when the breeze helps a lot) but we have never used the a/c. as long as you have screens on the windows to keep bugs out you should be fine