I am working on plans to take a 2+ month holiday in the spring in Bonaire after retiring at the end of December. I'd like to take a bicycle to Bonaire. Has anybody had any experience shipping a bike to Bonaire? Do you have to ship it as freight or can it be boxed up and shipped on the airlines? tks

Gregg,
I don't have personal experience of this, but a friend of mine (the same person who recently moved to NZ) has travelled with his bikes a lot. He is a serious bike person, and recently came in something like 9th in a field of 700 riding in a race up Mount Washington in NH.

As a matter of fact, in trips to Switzerland, Ireland and elsewhere, he and his wife transported a tandem. He would disassemble it and pack it up, then reassemble at the destination. As long as he took it down to a shippable size and it fit in a box, a bike always accompanied him on the plane.

Gregg,

I would suggest taking it to a reputable bike shop and have them dissasemble it for transport. They will pack it in a "box", then you can ship it to Bonaire.

Be sure to have tools available to put it back together. I have had bikes shipped this way in the past. The only catch is that you need to have the knowledge to put it back together correctly.

Of course, this all depends on how complex the bike is.....

I'd love to have my triathlon bike on Bonaire. The Southern part of the island is perfect for that style of riding - long and flat. A nice trip around the south end, then up through Rincon stopping at the Rose Inn for a Bright...... would be nice, but not worth the trouble during a one week stay :-( Too much diving to do in one week!

Good Luck.

-dave.

Gregg,

Boxing it up is the best way to go, but I'm not sure that even then American would be able to take it. Air Jamaica would be a better bet. Either one will probably charge you an excess baggage/over-size baggage fee though.

Shipping via freight will probably cost more than the bike (it's about $120 minimum for boat freight if you include all taxes and paperwork fees involved).

You may be better off buying a bicycle here (drop a note to info@discoverbonaire.com and make sure you indicate in the e-mail that this is a question for "Cycle Bonaire" and see what they have available).

Jake

Also, you can check out long term rental with cycle Bonaire as well....

Or go directly to http://www.discoverbonaire.com/bike.html .

Thanks for the tips...my strategy was to purchase a bike, haul it to Bonaire to use for transportation for 2+ months then sell it. I'm not a bike freak; it is just a mode of transportation. This idea was suggested by several dive master friends on the islands. In the end, I will consider the options to rent, lease, or haul my own....besides, I need the exercise to work off the Brights/Polars/Amstel/Coral while I am there :-)

Greg
I just looked at "De freeweiler" site and they have a 7 speed bike for $41.67 a week. I'm sure there are taxes involved, but I don't think you could justify the hassel involved for the money you would save. They may even cut you a deal for long term use.
Mickey

I just took my bike to Bonaire in November. I would recommend having it taken apart and boxed at home. Chat with your airlines about transporting it there and the extra cost.

I would recommend having your bike put together by the guy at de Frieweeler (sorry about the spelling). He does a great job and only charged me 21 guilders.

Ann