We arrive this Thurs., flying Delta to Aruba, then Dutch Express to Bonaire. On the way there we have a 3.5 hour layover, and on the way home we have a 4.5 hour layover in Aruba. Any sugggestions as to where we can go,probably via cab to enjoy this island too.

Thank you, and I appreciate this board, has been very helpful in planning our sailing/diving trip.

Kathie, welcome to BT. I suspect that this thread will get moved over to Getting to Bonaire, but in the mean time.

When you clear customs, take a right and go though the doors and straight ahead is the DAE office. It is just a window but you want to check in with them to verify your flight and check in.

What we do is hop in a cab and go to the beach. There are hundreds of resorts on the beach that are glad to take your money for lunch and some drinks. They will also guard your luggage for you. It's $17 to the low rise resorts and $20 to the high risers. The beaches are on the other side of town but it's not a long ride, maybe 15 minutes or so. We asked the cab that brought us to also pick us up at a set time. We used Manchebo Beach coming and going last time. Not a tough way to wait for your plane.


When you return go to the last building on the right (just behind the DAE office). There you check your luggage then exit right. Then you enter the departure building. Take a left half way in the building to international departures. There are two security lines, one for the US and one for everything else.

Kathy, welcome to Bonaire Talk! Cecil is correct, I have moved this thread to "Getting to Bonaire." You may also want to look at some of the other threads in this section as there are a lot of recent ones that discuss the layover/going through Aruba.

Cynde

Last building on the left, Cecil.

Does anyone know whether Aruba has any museums, art galleries, or other places of historical or cultural interest not too distant from the airport? The nuisance would be the luggage, of course. Cecil, thanks for your suggestions.

Cecil and everyone, thank you for your help.
Manchebo Beach is where you go, is there a specific restaurant resort or public beach you recommendthere? Perhaps Manchebo Beach is a specific place. Or if I tell the cab driver Manchebo Beach they will know what I mean.
Thank you once again, from a first timer, who has been lerking finding great info from everyone.

Since there's no place to leave your luggage, Nathalie, taking a cultural break would be really tough.
Kathie, a word of caution. The airport is not close to the Manchebo Beach Resort (or other resorts on that beach). You've got to go through the town first, which can take a while, and then head up along the coast. And before that you must get off the plane, go through immigration, wait for your luggage, clear customs, and wait to talk to Dutch Antilles Express. Then you want to be on time to check in for your flight, get your boarding pass, go through immigration again, and get to the gate. As frequent participants on BT know, I tend to be cautious, period. DAE has been known to overbook. Just be sure you have enough time for two cab rides, lunch, and all the rest of this. If not, you can eat at the little place near the DAE office. It might not look like much, but I love their Antillean food.
Or, if you want a shorter cab ride, there's an Indian restaurant that fronts onto the square where the buses stop.
And, yes, I go through Aruba often, and I have stayed at the Manchebo Beach Resort. Cecil's choice is excellent as long as you feel you have time.

Tish, I'm headed to Bonaire through Aruba next week, with 5hrs. between Aruba arrival and departure. To be cautious, would you suggest with that schedule, that it's better to stay in the airport area? A friend travelling the following week has an 8hr layover. I sure wish they would increase the frequency of flights.

Perhaps if I wear a flamingo hat on the flight into Aruba, it will get the attention of fellow Bonaire bound passengers who might like to share a cab to town.

Thanks for your input.

Nah, Nathalie, you should have plenty of time, more than Kathie! And your friend has enough time to swim to Bonaire. Well, not really, but that's pretty outrageous.
Yes, DAE needs to add flights, but I guess they feel they can't make a profit if they do.
Flamingo hat is a great idea, but if you look for folks who appear to be divers--that indefinable something, plus extra bags--maybe you will spot the divers anyway.
Hang in there, Nathalie! Pilots are trying to establish new airlines to meet this need. The Curacao and Aruba governments don't approve the paperwork quickly, but sooner or later. . . .
Safe travels to you, and have a great time on Bonaire!

This is to confirm the Manchebo beach trip as a very positive experience.
We did exactly as Cecil recommended and our two days of travel (to BON and from) we nicely broken up by 2.5 and 1.5 hours on their wonderful sandy beach.
Do have a question though.
Passing through town I saw a couple of other hotels like Tamarijn. (?) Do they let you leave your luggage there? Also there is Eagle Beach. Has anyone gone there? It seems about 5 mins shorter.
Finally there is a quiet beach very near the airport just as you go through the traffic circle. What's the name? Maybe that would be a great place to stay for a couple of hours and the cab ride should take only 5 mins to the airport.

All in all I loved my Aruba connection.
I can't go back to BON