My husband Ray and I will be making our first trip to Bonaire in two weeks. We are counting the hours. We live in Michigan. It is cold and they are predicting 3" of snow tonight. Can't wait to feel the sun on my face and the water at my feet.

We heard that there is a ferry from Bonaire to Curacao. We have been to Aurba and thought this would be a nice day trip to visit the third island. (That is if we can pry ourselves away from Bonaire.) Can anyone give us any tips on taking the ferry, cost, schedule,are reservations needed or any other useful information?

If we go to Curacao, any tips on "must do" things?

Thanks,

Pam & Ray Lee

Pamela, I found the following on www.infobonaire.com:

*Important Note* - A new ferry service from Flamingo Fast Ferries began November 1, 2001 between Curacao and Bonaire. Tel: 717-7001, Fax 717-7002. There are two roundtrips per day - one in the morning and one in late afternoon.
Many people ask but unfortunately there is NO ferry services of any kind between Aruba or Venezula and Bonaire. Scheduled travel between these destinations are limited to air travel.

I believe the prive was 90 NAFL. The departure was (I have to trust my memory....) around 07.00 or 07.30 and you would be back around 18.00. If anyone knows for sure, please correct me ....

the fare is now 95 florin ($50) and the schedule has been reduced to one rt per day until calmer seas prevail (some weekends there are still two trips). They will resume regular schedules in the spring. It does leave at 6:30 am from Bonaire. If you do make the trip, be sure to visit Cura Hulanda, the new cultural center in Outrabanda. It will blow your mind!

I hear the jewelry shopping is better (better prices?) in Curacao? Anyone want to give me any names of places? What were your experiences vs Bonaire? We are coming in March and I'd like to go over for a day and check it out!

Also, once one gets to Curacao how does one get around the island to get to Cura Hulanda and shopping? Is it advisable to rent a car? If there's only one ferry per day at 0630, when does it return? How long is the ferry ride? Thanks for answering my many questions! Joan

Taxi's are readily avialable in Curacao, though not in Bonaire. I am not a big fan of the Bonaire/Curacao ferry. They almost never adhere to their schedule, sometimes being hours late(especially the late afternoon ferry from Cur to Bon). They seem like a bunch of rag-tag neophites trying to run a transportation business, but not doing a very good job. I was fairly horrified at the lack of professionalism throughout the entire organization, from ticketing through the passage itself. If you go, don't expect any of the standards we have grown to expect with American transportation systems.