I am so excited about our upcoming trip. Is anyone out there going at the same time? It would be great to make some new friends. Does anyone have any suggestions for good dive sites and topside activities? My girlfriend and I dive but my husband doesn't and I don't want him to get bored while we swim with the fishes. I would also like to plan a day trip to Venezuela and maybe Aruba and Curacao. I'm not quite sure how to get started planning that, any suggestions? I would love to see turtles while we are there any ideas on some good spots to see some? I would appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks Kim

Kimberly: Try Karpata for Turtles!

Just because those places are close to Bonaire, doesn't mean it's easy (or cheap) to get there, especially as a "day trip." Except for Curacao (which is do-able as a day trip--arrange that when you're here--if you still want to after seeing Bonaire), you'll spend many many hours traveling (read: waiting in airports). And just because it's accessible, doesn't mean you should waste a day there...

The rest of the information you want is all over this board--start doing your homework!

Check under the "Everything Else" thread for the July/August that has a list of the people who will be on the island during that time frame.

Welcome to BT.

There is so much to do, but none of it has to be done in a hurry. The island is not big or crowded.

As far as dive sites go, close your eyes and point on the map. Go there, and repeat. Bonaire has no bad diving-it is wonderful.

I have been to Aruba-it's very very different from Bonaire. If you like jetset stuff, tons of casinos, lots of shopping, and lots of wealthy people spending money, then Aruba is the place. Bonaire is such a sleepy laid back island-if you like that, don't bother with side trips. Topside activities include birding and exploring the island. If you read the threads, you'll find many disappointed with Curaco. And like Ruth said above, it's very expensive to travel to the other countries.

Keep in mind that while Bonaire is quiet, it has some fabulous restaurants. Read about those in the dining section.

Enjoy! I wish we were going there soon, but we're building a house, so we have to recover $$ wise. But we'll be back as soon as we can-it's my favorite island!

Our first trip to Bonaire was last October and we thought the same thing, do a day trip to Curacao. Not!!!! Too expensive to get there, even by ferry and then with the schedule we would have had to stay overnight. Way too much to do on Bonaire if it is your first trip and if you still want to go to those other places, then plan a few days on them but be prepared to pay lots. After Bonaire, I don't think you will want to go anywhere else. My next trip Feb/04 and can't wait to board that plane.

Kimberly:

Where are you staying? We're at Lion's Dive Aug 2-16. Does your husband snorkle? He could snorkle the sites while you dive them.

Kimberly, agree with all that was said above. My wife is a non-diver and she had a great time on Bonaire. Plenty to do and see right there.

One suggestion is to dive spots that are also good snorkling, Andrea I comes to mind.

We hear that there can be a lot of unrest in Venezuela. We're in B6 at Sand Dollar, stop by and say hello and we fill you in on what to do around Bonaire. We have a nice suggestion list that we can e-mail to you if your would like

Alan & Joan,

I would like to see your suggestion list please :-)

belzap@alltel.net

Thanks!!

Belinda

Hi John,
We are staying at the Plaza. My husband isn't much of a water person. I'm hoping he will be willing to try. He pretty much let me pick where I wanted to go and I was dieing to try Bonaire.
Kim

Alan and Joan,
Hi, that would be great if you could e-mail a list to me. We will stop by and visit with you all. Kim
krissey45@aol.com

Be sure to go to the Bonaire Taker's gathering on Tuesdays at 6pm at Gibi's. I'll try to meet others from this board there. I would be glad to share my list of things to do with you.

Talkers...ooops

Kimberly, you made a good choice the Plaza is wonderful. Take your husband snorkling to the left of the Tipsy Seagull at the Plaza. If that does not make him into a water person nothing will.

John,
Hi, that would be great if you could send me a list of your things to do. Joan and Alan sent a great list but I'd appreciate more suggestions. I am definitely going to go to Gibi's on Tuesday night. I would love to meet everyone. I've mentioned this message board to my husband and girlfriend and they are eager to meet new friends as well. So where are you from? How long have you been diving? My e-mail address is on another one of my postings. Thanks Kim

Cecil,
Hi, I'm going to try to get him in the water. We had a discussion yesterday about snorkeling and he said he might try it. He says he isn't interested in whats in the water. I think he is just a chicken but won't admit it. Kim

One thing to think about is some equipment for him, make sure he has a good mask. A leaky mask can ruin the experience. If you don't buy him one or can't borrow one I reasonably sure that Toucan divers at the Plaza can fix him up. You're going to love that outfit before your done. Nice group well run and very efficient.

Some other Plaza recommendations, Tuesday night Caribbean Buffet at the Tipsy Seagull is worth catching, don't miss the Seasame Encrusted Tuna at the Banana Tree.

John, Bob and I will arrive at Lions Dive just a couple of days before you. Our surname is Graves so ask for us at the desk and call in for a beer!
I think there is a family of BT'ers staying during this time too!
Julia

Julia,
Hi if we don't stop by we'll be try to meet you all at Gibi's on Tuesday night. Kim

Cecil, Thanks I feel better. I was a little worried about some of the postings I read about the Plaza. A few weren't very good. Do you have ant suggestions on where to get good food that isn't seafood? My husband doesn't eat fish. Kim

Alan and Joan,

I would appreciate receiving your suggestion list...our trip is now! scheduled for Oct. 8-21!!

Thank you,
Linda

thumpersan2@aol.com

Kimberly, we had no problems at the Plaza and very impressed. I've read some of the same reports before I went, there was some truth but it was nitpicky. The Plaza is what it is a very beautiful property that is well run and would I recommend it, yes. Is it perfect and flawless, no.

One other suggestion, ask for a second floor room. I e-mailed my request ahead of time and they were very accommodating.

As far as fish on the menu, pretty much every place we ate had beef or chicken. I don't think he's going to go hungry.

Kimberly -

For your husband who does not care for fish, he is in luck!

Some of the better beef we've ever had (this coming from ranch-heritage Texans) has been on Bonaire. They get good American beef, but also excellent beef from Venezuela, Brasil and Argentina.

For a real meat treat (actually our current No. 1 favorite on the island), try Casablanca. It is an Argentine beef place and the food is top-notch. The service is good, the owners cordial and the setting very Bonaire. But be prepared: the servings are quite large and the prices very reasonable given the quality and quantity.

Casablanca is on the main street between the Plaza and downtown (on your left as you go into town). It is not a large place, but you'll find it.

We also have had excellent steaks at the Tipsy Seagull restaurant at the Plaza, good beef kabobs at It Rains Fishes, superb steak (in 1999) at Rendevouz (downtown under brand new management), good beef satay at the Old Inn (right across the street from the Plaza), the Old Moon (on the waterfront just south of downtown) and probably other places we don't recall.

Your husband is going to have no difficulty finding non-seafood dishes. His problem is going to be choosing among the many options.

Here's a useful link about many of the restaurants on the island: http://www.infobonaire.com/restaurant.html.

And regarding the Plaza, we echo Cecil's comments. Overall, a most enjoyable place, nice grounds, the best hotel "beach" on the island, excellent snorkeling right in front of the hotel, and if your husband decides to stay on the beach (let us join the chorus urging him to try snorkeling...it is literally some of the best in the world), perhaps he will be diverted by the topless Dutch ladies who lounge on the Plaza beach.

First time to Bonaire: Bon bini na Bonaire and do give us a trip report upon your return.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

Kimberly:

Why don't you post your list of things to do here, and then we can add in things you don't already have, rather than send you duplicate items.

Thread moved here from Trip Reports since it's not a trip report...

The Moderators

Hi Kim, This will be my 1st time to Bonaire. We are going to be there the same time. Hope to see you at the BT meeting at Gibis. Welcome to BT

See you soon.
Rob

Rob,
Hi, you are so lucky to be leaving in a few days and to be staying so long!!! We will be sure to look for you all at Gibi's! Kim