I just got a newsletter e-mail titled "Bonaire EZ News" (from Bonaire Tourist Office I think), announcing new rates from AJ that were too good to be true ($199 from FL, $299 from NYC/BOS/PHL, etc); the rates were stated to be offered only when combined with hotel packages and booked from a tour operator, must be booked before 6/11, and are good for travel from 6/1 to 7/15. I called Caradonna which was listed as one of the official tourist agencies to call, and they finally confirmed that the newsletter carried incorrect numbers. The rate I had gotten for late June (flying weekdays) from AJ themselves was $534 RT BOS-BON. The rate from Caradonna includes hotel and thus I can't break out the airfare, but it seems to work out to perhaps a little below $500 (depending on how you want to apportion the discount between the hotel rate and the airfare).

My son and I are looking to come down after his school is out, perhaps catch part of the dive festival.

Anyway, it does look like AJ has some good rates coming up-- I've seen others posting here inquiring about air fares-- maybe they should check this out.

Peter, check out Bonairepros.com. They list the airfare separately. Looks like on a Mon or Wed out of Boston it is $329 on Sat it is $429, good June 1 - July 15. The website also lists different cities and dates. I am pretty sure you to get the special price on the air you have to book you hotel or rental car with them.

Leigh-

You need to add $67.50 to those prices for departure and security taxes. Airfare must be purchased in conjuction with a land package. Never skip the fine print.

Leigh and Greg:

Thanks for the info. Yeah, it comes to $396.50 for Monday/Wednesday travel and $496.50 for Saturday. And yes it must include a lodging booking from the same agent. Still it's a pretty good deal, so we're working on it for end of June.

Regards,
Peter

Good luck Peter. I think we paid a little more for our tickets, not much though! We are arriving on June 24. Pat Relich will be posting a list soon of who is going to be there end of June/1st part of July. When you make your reservations, make sure you get on the list!

We tried to follow up on the AJ $299 tx from Newark and here's the scoop we found :

1) travel agent hand no access to the rate even though they were one of the ones listed on the EZ bonaire newsletter (she tried talking to AJ directly).

2) After talking directly to AJ, The only way to get the cheap AJ rate was to book thru AJ, it came out to $367 with all the fees just like Greg said, and the rate they gave us for the Plaza did not include any of the current Plaza specials (our travel agent gave us a better overall rate even considering the airfare difference).

So its not such a great deal after all.. bummer!