any suggestions for calls back to usa. had real hassles in bahamas. cell wont work. phone card wont work.

Don't use the blue phones.

Rent a cell from Chat n Browse for free (or cheap) and buy phone cards. Then you can also make dinner reservations and what not.

Chris,

The phones that you can rent from Chat N Browse will work fine. The call back to the US without difficulty.

Liz

(Message edited by dvrliz1 on November 9, 2004)

You also can use our cell phone service which is very inexpensive. E mail me if you need particulars.

You have at least four options I am aware of:
a) The blue "international phones" located at many resorts. Pretty expensive and best avoided.
b) Telbo phone cards. These work OK but you have to figure out what hours Telbo is open to buy the card and then you can only use their pay phones in front of their office (but those are always open). On the upside, the phone cards used to have cool christmas tree worm photo on them. In the old days, this was the only way...
c) Go to Chat-n-Browse (near the Sand $ Grocery and the ice cream lace) and use their phone. Something like $1 for 3 minutes back to the US. This is your best bet if you just want to call the US now and again.
d) Rent a cell phone. I think both Chat-n-Browse and one place downtown do this. Perhaps others...

And your resort may offer a way as well...

(Message edited by bonairetrip on November 9, 2004)

most places sell public phone cards in nafl 10 or 25 denominations and they can be used in all phones including ones in most hotel rooms (check if there is a connection charge)

Definitely go to Chat-n-Browse. Michael is a DOLL and his shop is great. Also, as Ann pointed out, you'll have the phone for restaurant reservations and whatnot. The "whatnot" being having to call the restaurant and telling them you won't make your reservation because you got a flat tire in the park... lol...

Just to make it absolutely clear, Michael Gaynor above is Chat n' Browse: telephone and internet access. I wouldn't say he is a doll (Kelly can!!) but he does do it right.

The blue phones charge a hefty per time fee and high rates-- I seem to remember short $45 calls being talked of here. Plaza also has had hefty charges on their in-house phones so check resort call charges before calling overseas.

As simple as ( Blue phones= High rates )

You should go visit with Michael at Chat n Browse and use the "pay as you go" method or obtain a cell phone for the duration of your stay...great deals and nice, nice man. He has some of the best "stuff" in his shop, too! I get into some real trouble when I go visit with Michael...and that can be on a daily basis most usually! My credit card folks LOVE Chat n Browse! LOL.

PS I doubt you can make that cell call from the Park itself...LOL....no signal up that way...at least I never could get one in the Park. That's OK, tho...I only want to talk to "nature" up in the Park, anyway! Ayo. Carole

I picked up a lot of Bonaire Bath Salts at Chat n Browse as gifts for friends here at home. Everyone LOVED them! We also ran out of sunblock and picked up more there. They have a great selection of teeshirts, too.

And of course, right next door is Lover's Ice Cream! I can't remember the name of my favorite ice cream there - Dulce de Leche, I think? Yummy!

I hope I can hop onto this thread with similar questions.

We're first-timers to Bonaire and have a villa reserved in February through SunRentals. Should I arrange my truck and/or phone rental through SunRentals or is it better to piece-meal these extras? This isn't the first time I've heard good things about Chat n Browse, but is the convenience of doing it all through SunRentals worth it? Are all cell phone rentals alike? We'll be making calls on the island and to the USA.

Regarding the pick-up truck, we've signed up for the "premium" rental coverage with American Express (thanks to the outstanding information gleaned on BT). Should I expect problems from any of the rental companies if I don't want to use their insurance? The rates at SunRentals seem fine but I haven't finalized the details, nor have I checked with any other rental companies.

I appreciate all advice and opinions! Thanks!

Thanks Glen for the (un?)kind word...BTW saw your granddaughter yesterday...she is really all grown up. I I think Sun Rentals lets you use their cell phones if you pay just for air time. If you do get a phone from them, have them make sure it is activated, espcially if you plan to arrive on a weekend.

One thing to consider about the car rental: make certain sure that the company accepts AMEX. I noticed while standing in line waiting for ours that one of the Rental places (I can't remember which one, sorry!) had a sign in the window saying that they don't.

By the way, if you pick up the car at the airport, it isn't actually in the same building. As you walk out of the airport, diagonally to the left and across the parking lot is another building. That's where the car rental places can be found.

Michael,

My email to your Profile email address bounced. Is it current?? Please send an email offline with your working address.

Glen

Chris,

Another option is Access Bonaire. They have phone access, phone rental, and internet access.
They are located near KFC. We purchased internet time and mostly used e mail to contact USA. We felt they had convenient hours and several computers to use.

Randall

Having done this a couple of times now, I would highly recommend Chat-N-Browse. We were on the island a few weeks ago and I couldn't get over there and used the calling cards instead.(Sorry Michael) I wish I would have taken a cab or whatever and got the cell phone again. The last time we used it, it turned out to be the best price on the island and the quality was great.

I will never go to Bonaire again without getting a phone from Michael.

Hope I don't get in trouble by saying this (have not had a chance to update web site) but we do deliver phones for folks who are not able to pick them up. We also have arrangements for pick up at the end of your vacation.

You are so good to us all, Michael! See you in May!! Carole

Blue phones= High rates
EVEN WORSE:
BLUE PHONES= THEFT !!!
THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY !!
THEY KEEP THE RATE AS A BAD SURPRISE WHEN YOU COME HOME AND CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD

Many people have had good luck challenging the blue phone charges on their credit cards.

Michael: Does my husband need to bring anything to connect to his e:mail (a sin while on vacation in my opinion)? I can't remember if your place is wireless or not?

Nothing to bring...just stop in and I will give him a password....

Ahhh...now it is all coming back to me. He logs in - I go next door and buy a six pack and wait and wait and wait... Finally threaten to drink all the beer myself and he frowns and turns the crazy thing off. Just hope it stops raining or I will let him work for hours at your place.

you also can eat lovers ice cream to your hearts content......