We just returned from Cozumel and realized it is time to get back to Bonaire! Due to other travel plans and work schedules we are planning to book a two week trip to Bonaire over Christmas/New Year's 2008-2009, yes a long way off. We have stayed at the Belmar and plan to book there again. Does anyone have comments on the most direct route from Denver to Bonaire. Last time we did it was three years ago and took (or felt like!) days.

Welcome Christin, I guess you do plan in advance don't you?? The direct routes may change at a drop of the hat and only God knows if the same airlines will be around in two years..Gosh there might even be a direct from Evergreen CO..
Welcome to Bonaire Talk we will help all we can.. Just give us a chance.
Since this is about GETTING to Bonaire I am goin gto put it over there and delete the one you just placed over there.. Again Welcome

Continental offers a direct from Houston to Bonaire. Leave Denver 6pm Friday and arrive Bonaire 6am Saturday. The return is even better leave Bonaire at Saturday 7am and arrive in Denver at 4pm It works out great for us and is much better than going through SJU.

We're in Denver, and visiting the island in early March. We're flying on Frontier to Houston, then Continental to Bonaire. BUT, I just shopped the tickets on Continental's site again, and your best bet is to fly Continental all the way...looks like you'll save $150 per ticket or so doing it that way as opposed to flying a different carrier into Houston!

Christin,
The Continental way...Denver-Houston-Bonaire is so easy that my teenager did it last year with a friend to meet us. (One week High School Spring Break versus parents that NEED to stay three weeks ) She'll be doing it again in a couple of months!
From one mountain folk to another...

our son lives in thornton and visited us on bonaire about 3 years ago. at that time he and his wife flew AA thru san juan. that was before the continental flight. right now continental seems like the best way to go. only disadvantage is that you have to book "even week" trips...no 10 or 17 day trips since you have to fly down friday nights and return saturdays. so....that's a good way to rationalize staying an extra few days.

This is so helpful! We are planning far in advance since we already know our daughter's school vacation dates. We will go for two weeks, have done that in the past and it makes sense. As the airlines start to publish schedules we will look into actual flights and times. Probably Denver-Houston-Bonaire after all the nice feedback from you guys!

Just wanted to add that you are not alone in planning early! We are already looking at Christmas 2007, and for the same reason. Well, also thinking about and planning for dive trips during the winter helps me get through it.

Unfortunately, we have to be back by January 2nd. I would LOVE to take the Continental red-eye--I wonder if they will ever add any mid-week flights?

On our last trip (Christmas 2005) the flights were so awful (lost luggage, canceled flights, many, many connections and an 8 hour layover in San Juan, etc. etc) that I just dread the whole process. Perhaps we'll have better luck this time. And, yes, Bonaire is worth it.

I hope we have an easy time of getting down and back! Where do you guys stay? We have booked at Belmar since our last stay there was pretty spectacular. We have an 11 yr. old who will 13 by the time we take our trip. She will dive for the first time there!

Christin, we like Buddy's, because we had a really good experience there. Did our AOW, nitrox, and Fish I.D. referrals there and they were outstanding. Our 15 year old son also conducted his science experiment on their reef (fish diversity--nothing invasive) and they were very helpful when the suitcase with his supplies and some of our dive gear didn't show up. Actually, everyone was very nice and supportive--it seemed like the entire resort knew about our son's science project and wanted to know about it and help.

We didn't get the luggage, btw, until the day before we left.

I think your daughter will have a fantastic time in Bonaire. I have stated before that Bonaire is where I WISH we had gotten our certification.