Hello BTers. Does anyone know where I can get a complete map of Bonaire with street names for ALL the roads? I find a lot of ones with just the main area of Kralendijk but I can't seem to locate ones that have all the roads.

I appreciate the input.

Mara

Mara, the question has been asked a few times, you may want to do a key word search for "map"...however, to my knowledge, there isn't one. It's kind of like Sint Maarten, they give you a map with the main road that goes around the island, and a couple other off shoots and that's it...we got lost a few times on Sint Maarten because we had no idea where we were going! LOL! Bonaire is MUCH easier, not too many roads and the island is so much smaller (however brushing up on Dutch road signs isn't a bad idea) ;-)

Actually I was doing both of those things Cynde. I was reviewing my Dutch road signs the other night and I did do a key word search under map but didn't really get anything. It makes it kind of hard to get the full grasp of where all the different houses are without that full map but what the heck. I guess that means that when we drive on the bicycle trails I can't get into tooo much trouble - no map said I couldn't or that it wasn't really a road. hehehe

Mara

Marabeth, it really is easy to find your way around. If you get a regular map, with only main roads, you'll be fine. Just do some exploring and give yourself some time to really look around and appreciate the beauty. I always love the drive down south past the salt pans, around the south end and up the east coast to Lac Bay... such a great drive. Enjoy !

Marabeth, we bought a street guide at the Flamingo Book shop a few years back. It's nog a map, but it has the streets in it and a general description of where they are located in reference to main roads.

There is a Drive and Dive (or the reverse) map that is pretty good that you can pickup on island. If it is an odd road, I relie on a paperback book that has the roads listed alphabetically with directions and mini-maps in relation to major roads. I don't know if it is still available or even if it has been updated. I bought it on island at the bookstore.

Your best bet is don't leave the pavement except to park or go in Washington Slagbaai park. Most people will give you landmarks in addition to a street address for directions. I could give you easy directions to Gibi's but I couldn't tell you what the street address is at all.

Linda, do you know which store sells the guide? Kelly and I never did find the Warehouse and ended up who knows where...I had to back track the right and left turns and was using houses as markers as where to turn in case we got lost (which we did). We ended up at Tropicana, but they really didn't have anything that Cultimara has...stay on paved roads...good idea...we took a few "dirt road" turns on Sint Maarten and definitely were in the "wrong" areas of towns...

I bet if someone had a really good map of the island and the roads, and what the road signs mean...they could make photocopies and make a fortune! Anyone have a map they want to send me?

I agree - having been to Bonaire 8 times I am pretty good at knowing my way around but it sure would be nice to have something when I am looking at homes and what not on line to have a much better idea of where they are. And yes - if someone had a really good map of the island and the roads I would bet they could make a fortune. Look how many of us still don't have one - even though we have been there.

There are 2 bookstores that might have it. Flamingo as Martin mentioned which is located on Kaya Grandi on the same side as the Botica. And the 2nd one, I don't know it name. It is refered to as the boekhandel. It is across the street from RentoFun, just north of Croccantino's on Gob Debrot. See what I mean about landmarks versus street addresses :-)

Exactly Linda - because I can see all of these places in my head. Does this mean I am seeing things???????? Hmmmm. And thank you. When I get there I will look for them, I just hate it that I will have to wait. :-(

We ordered a fold-up laminated Bonaire map from Amazon.com last year. (Currently out of print.) Very complete but very tiny typeface. We found the free maps available at all the resorts much easier to follow and used these far more. It still didn't prevent us from getting lost in the outback trying to find our way to Sorobon/Lac Bay going southeast out of Kralendijk. We got there but it was quite an adventure. (Advice: take the coast road south and avoid the outback.) It was really more of a navigator problem than a map problem. (If my wife is reading this I'm only kidding.)

If you do a search there was a website mentioned in an earlier posting that sell various maps including one of Bonaire. I bought it and found it to be very good and it was laminated as well. However we found it was probably no better than the ones you can get at the rental car places and tourist information stands and they are free.

Here is a link to the website where I ordered my copy from
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/caribmart/bonairemapbybb.html

Also here is the link to the previous postings about road maps
http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/32/166771.html?1095008204

We love dirt roads....how would you get to Maiky Snack if you didn't venture off the beaten path?!!

Oh boy - do we ever venture off the beaten path when we are there. And I LOVE that about the island.

Well I've ordered my map and I much appreciate it. Hopefully it will be everything I ever wanted and more - LOL!

Thanks everyone.

Mara

I think Michael Gaynor is producing a
new updated map; I recall reading about
it here.

I have an up to date road map...There are some available to be mailed in the US....send me and e mail and I can have one forwarded. info@chatnbrowse.com

Michael, I think you stole my idea...you owe me royalties ;-) As I stated earlier in this thread...hee hee ;-)

---

quote:

I bet if someone had a really good map of the island and the roads, and what the road signs mean...they could make photocopies and make a fortune! Anyone have a map they want to send me?

---

Michael, Just sent you a quickie email. Hope it gets through OK.

Great idea!! See you soon...Carole and Joe

We give the map away at the airport, TCB and car rentals. I have a friend who mails it in the US at his expense. This is the third edition of the Bonaire Road Map....So far it is a laor of love and we are still trying to collect from our main sponsor!

Michael, it's nice to know that you refer to us as your friends.