I have been scouring all the great info supplied by you folks. I am a bit unclear about whether to depend on taxis to and from Flamingo airport (renting a truck for a few days only) or renting for my whole week's stay. The problem is the Continental flight from Newark that arrives around 5:00am Sundays and departs 6:00am Sundays. I'm a bit nervous just leaving a rental car at the airport around 4:00am if there's no one to check it for damage before we depart. I'm also wondering whether we'll be able to even get a taxi at 4:00am. We're staying at the Sand Dollar July 8-15th. Also, we don't need a truck for diving, just so we can go through Washington-Slagbaai. Sorry I'm being so wordy as a first time poster.

Barbara,

Everyone who rents cars has to do the drop off. It's all good. You can always check in and then drop off your car. They open at 5 AM so ample time to do it all and actually see a rental agent. IMHO.

we left at an ungodly hour also, so we made arrangements with the car rental simply to drop it off on the morning of the flight. The previous evening, we had the pick-up truck inspected for scratches, dents etc and had everything signed off at that time

Hi Barbara,
Welcome to Bonaire Talk.
There are taxis available during the wee hours. And most car rental companies have folks returning rental cars early.
If you do plan to go up to the park, might I recommend a four wheel drive vehicle and leave early in the day as the park lets in the last driver at 3ish in the afternoon. It takes a while to drive on the unimproved roads in the park.
Feel free to ask questions.
all the best,
Mare

The taxi drivers are 99.99% reliable..I would suggest you make arrangements well in advance and get their cell phone #. Unfortunately, the phone at SD does not allow for cell phone calls but they may have an alternate landline # to call.

Thanks to all of you--you've supplied me with several reassuring options. I've been lurking for some time trying to get an answer, but decided to join in the happy Bonaire fray since my departure is only a month away. I've visited twice already, but twenty years ago! My partner has never experienced the fabulous snorkeling there. By all of your descriptions, I'm so pleased to hear that things are still basically the same on the island--laid back, beautiful, quiet, friendly, awe-inspiring.