Hello! I have a few questions maybe you can help and I would GREATLY appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!

When is the best time to go?
Can you tell me a site with good prices for diving.
Did you feel safe in Bonaire safe?
What's a good hotel to stay for budget traveler?
Do you recommend getting a vehicle?

MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Since I'm so close, would you recommend a flight to Aruba and stay there for a few days?

Also, I'm curious to how long to stay here...I'm confused. Some peopel are saying 2 weeks, this island isn't that big, you don't run out of things to do? If not, what are you doing this whole time?!?!;)

(Message edited by wes2004 on March 10, 2004)

I lived there for 6 years and that wasn't long enough. Many sites to see, many activities such as caving, snorkeling, swimming, lazing in the sun, observing local culture, windsurfing, moonlit walks on the oceanfront...and that's just the first 3 years.

Best time to go: Anytime.

By "Site" do you mean Web Site or Dive Site?

Crime: Run a keyword search on "crime" "theft" or "safety" to see a number of threads on the topic.

Many options for "budget" hotels to be found here: http://www.infobonaire.com/hotelbudget.html

Vehicle: Recommended.

Aruba: Really a matter of personal preference. If you want the added adventure of dealing with the airlines and customs process between the two, go for it. In my personal opinion, I wouldn't try to cram both islands into one trip.

My 2 cents.

Welcome to the board Wesley.

I will give your questions a try.

1. Best time...anytime, the weather conditions don't change enough to make any real difference.

2. If you mean a good travel agent, I use Caradonna travel with good success. Others have used Bonaire Pros and like them www.caradonna.com/caradonna/default.aspx

3. We feel as safe on Bonaire as we do at home..yes there is some petty crime that goes on but I know of nowhere that does not happen. If nothing else, you never get hasseled by street vendors.

4 There are a lot of places to stay. We usually stay at Buddy Dive but Sand Dollar, Lions Dive and Eden Beach, just to name a few,are nice as well. I would suggest that for your first time you pick an ocean front resort. It cost a little more but there are advantages for the first timer. For example, the "Drive and Dive" package at Buddy has everything you need included with one operator. You don't have to worry about getting a room one place, diving at another and a rental car at still another. Most of the resort packages include 6 boat dives, you can drop them (I always do) and save yourself around $100pp

5. A vehicle is needed for you to really enjoy all of Bonaire. You will want to travel to different dive sites and it allows you access to the many good restaurants on island.

6. Aruba...well I go to dive,eat and sleep, all of which are great on Bonaire. I could care less about shopping or gambling so I can't imagine what I would want to go to Aruba for.

7 How long to stay really depends a lot on you. If you are looking for nightlife then you may be bored after a few days. If you are into macro photography I am not sure 2 weeks would be long enough.. Try a week and decide for yourself.

I need a good website...I should of said dive shop. I'm not in my right mind today.

I'll probably take your advice on Aruba. Airports are a pain in the neck to deal with and I'm sure I'll dread it the whole time.

I just use the shop that is associated with the resort I am staying at, it's usually just easier that way but it is not a problem to use any shop on island. The websites of the resorts usually have a link to the site of their dive op. Specific shops, Buddy Dive, Bon Bini divers (Lions Dive), Capt Don's, Bonaire Dive and Adventure (Sand Dollar) and Wannadiveboniare just to name a few, any of which I would be happy to dive with. I have not heard of any bad ops on the island. Try this site for a list of a few of the other operators http://www.infobonaire.com/diveoperators.html

Wesley, Another good website for lodging, dive ops and a whole array of other bonaire links is http://www.bonairesite.homestead.com/

I've planned two trips in the last year to Bonaire and have gotten good information for both trips from Bonairetalks and this site.

Good luck and have a good time

Drop me a line if you got specific questions.

Cheese Joe

Hi Wesley,
Thought I'd stick my head in here for a sec and throw in my 2 half-cents.
I haven't been yet, but having been to Hawaii several times, I think I have a pretty good feel for what constitutes time on an island. If you want to experience night clubs, dancing, and scantily clad (albeit somewhat large) Asian women, or if you absolutely must have a soft sandy beach to hang out on, or if people speaking foreign languages all around you unnerves you, then go to Hawaii - it costs the same. If you want quiet relaxation, and tons and tons of snorkeling or diving, and possibly the cultural experience of being in a foreign country, go to Bonaire.
I found the least expensive place was listed in the AAA Tourbook for the Caribbean. That way you know it's clean, too. (There are only four in there). (I'd tell you where it is, but I don't want the whole world to find out. I'd rather make everyone work for it.) I have done exhaustive research about Bonaire over the last couple of weeks and I have decided for myself that I at least have to experience this place for myself. I do not frequent bars or night-clubs and I try to avoid excessive sun so I dislike beaches (Bonaire has very few and they are all imported sand.) My wife and I absolutely love snorkeling and could do nothing else for the rest of our lives and that would be great. It sounds like there is about 2 days worth of non-water activity on the island (mostly driving tours and a couple of caves?)
The sunsets appear fantastic (check out the webcams around 5:30pm EST)
Sounds safer than Hawaii sounds.
If you don't get a vehicle, you will be limited to two or three snorkeling sites (there are over 40 dive and snorkeling sites listed)
Two weeks is our standard trip length.

I just read your other thread and found out you're 17 years old. Well, if you're looking for a party atmosphere, I understand that everyone goes to bed early on Bonaire to rest up for the next day's diving. If you're into water stuff, please do enjoy it, but read up on what you need to do to not damage the corals. (i.e. no walking on it, touching it, taking souvenirs, no feeding the fish (this makes the aggressive ugly looking ones take over the area). I know I might be generalizing and you might be a 17-year old divemaster or something, but I really don't see anybody less than 35 or 45 in the pictures of people who visit. I won't be surprised if my wife and I are the youngest tourists there when we go. Just click on a few of the names of people who write these posts and you'll get a good idea of the demographic on Bonaire. If you're comfortable around a bunch of people who are old enough to be your grandparents, then great. Please forgive me if I sound like your parents or something, I'm just trying to give you a good idea of what kind of time (slow and laid back) you can expect on Bonaire. (P.S. I researched whether the cannabis laws are the same as in Amsterdam and they are not. They do not allow the stuff. Sure would be nice though, wouldn't it?) Hope this helps!

Wesley, Joe's pretty right on with the age group...really late 20's on up to the 60's. However, a lot of the DM's and dive instructors are younger and generally whoop up a good time in the evenings at Karel's...so you will find a young crowd, but they live on the island He's pretty right on about the night life...not much of it...most folks go to dinner and then go for another dive or hang out and tip a few more relaxing by the water...at least that's what I've experienced...if there's more action going on, it isn't obvious! That being said, Curacao and Aurba have more nightlife and action if that's on the list of things to do

As for non-water activities, I'd say there is far more than 2 day's worth. But it largely depends on each individual's preferences and idea of a "good time." There is a lot of history in Bonaire. A lot of interesting wildlife. A lot of interesting little side roads that take you through life on the island.

Again, it's personal preference (and this is all just my opinion). For me, most of my time will be spent exploring top-side. Maybe a day or two windsurfing, some snorkeling, a daily swim, lots of walking around the town. Remember that people live on the island, and they don't all dive when they're not working...gotta wonder how they spend their time.

Some of us old folks bring teenagers with us. We'll have two with us when we arrive in 2 1/2 weeks! ;-)

Can a 17 yo travel to BON on his own?

17 Year olds can travel to which ever corner of the world they like I presume. Nobody ever tried to stop me anyway.

Now renting a car... that is not an option I fear. Legal driving age is 18 and even then most rental companies will only rent you a car if you are aged 21 (some have a minimum age of 23) and you have had a driving license for at least 2 years.

With any luck a scooter is the best you can get but I would check in advance. Without transport on Bon you are kinda stuck.

Also before you book your trip make sure this is the place you want to go to. It's an absolutly wonderful island but it all depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. I'ld hate to see you stuck there thinking "why did I go here in the first place?"