Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but wanted to pass this along for those that might be "cost inhibited" by the 1000.00+ airfare.. Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun

We have learned a tremendous amount on this board and would like to give something back.

We have been traveling to Bonaire for 5 years now and granted due to our jobs we are able to adjust travel dates, but we have never paid more than 450.00 round trip per person from Richmond, VA !!! Always using Cheap Tickets dot com..

How do you say? we fly any weekday to a weekday. This may sound difficult but say Monday to Monday or more if your schedule allows. So whats the catch? The first and last day are spent flying. There is an American Airlines regional jet that flies from San Juan to BON every evening. This allows you the flexibility to schedule the days flights to suit your needs and make sure as much as possible you wont miss a connection.

Any airline can get you to San Juan, and the American RJ is always there! If I recall it gets into BON at about 9:30 ish and all the rental companies will stay until the flight is cleared and all have their prearranged vehicles. Note it is important to prearrange the vehicle!!

The return RJ from BON leaves every weekday at about 7:30am which usually gets you home in time to prepare for your next day back to work!!

For our money, saving 600.00 or better per person is WAY offset by planning an extra day or so on BON and relaxing.

If you book early enough, most condos, home rentals, and some resorts are glad to accommodate "off weekend" travelers as well. Not that there are ever any real crowds in BON but you most certainly run into much fewer people and lines traveling this way!!

It may not be for everyone, however if it helps some get there that may not otherwise have then we have done some good here! Cheers!

Sorry for the long winded message, if you would like any more info please don't hesitate to contact us via email or phone (804) 339-2984 with any questions or just to meet on the island!

We will be there 2/25-3/5 next and hopefully look to see some of you there!

Bill & Joan Engstrom

Nice of you to share you secret to cost effective travel. Thanks.

yeah but san juan is the "pits" and cameras tend to get "lost" passing thru

well, in a dozen trips i didn't lose anything but not to say i wasn't worried about it a whole lot...

flying everyday of the week is good just in case and that is a definite plus but...

last i looked AA/AE was about 15% less expensive than continental though...

but it is just so nice to get on the plane in newark and know ok...just a FEW hours now

Thats awesome Bob!! Say hey to Mike at the Chat n Browse store ifo Sandollar..Have a safe and most enjoyable trip, please write when you get back!!!

Whats nice about Cheap Tickets dot com is that as long as you don't mind switching carriers it will give you a list a mile long to get there, all ending with the AA/AE flight of course! So you can catch intermediate destinations etc..and plan what suits you.

William,
Thanks for the info. Have been going to BON yearly since 1994. But have never thought about flying from Richmond or even Roanoke; where we're originally from. Live in H'Burg now.

I am in the stages of trying to get ourselves down there for our first '08 trip; soon! We normally fly from BWI via Air Jamaica but no more after they pull out March 8th

I see your profession. I might PM you about someone you could know in our great capital.

i'm going to pass this info on to my sister who lives near richmond somewhere and who wants to visit us this winter. hope it helps her.

BTW, it's not really a regional "jet". it's an ATR which is a turboprop...noisier and slower than the jets. but going to bonnaire, who cares, you will put up with some noise knowing what your destination is....and when you're leaving you're too tired to care.

May we add our input to your post.

We always do this but, we also take an the earliest flight possible to San Juan.

So we can spend the day in San Juan. and NOT have a full day of traveling.

There is a short term baggage check in the airport so you have some place to put your carry ons and not have to lug them around San Juan, then....

All you need to do is get a cab at the airport and with in 15min. you could be at the beach, in a casino or in Old San Juan.

Add away, this is for everyones benefit!!

We did the early trip once but found we just wanted to be in Bonaire not San Juan! However thats a great tip if you want to see Puerto Rico..

The same pricing is available from most any US destination, not just VA!

Bill

Bill and all,

Great info!! I've done the midweek gig a few times myself, and you are absolutely right about the prices. Now that AJ is not flying out of Baltimore after March, I'm looking to DCA and RIC myself! I HATE Dulles.

As we all know, air is a small portion of the total cost of the trip. You have to factor in the cost of diving, room, rental car, meals, etc. I've found that timeshares work best for me. Not to trade, but to purchase at a location I want to return to, year after year.

We have 2 now, one on Bonaire, and the other on Grand Cayman. Both are 2 BR 2 Bth, oceanfront. The fees are roughly $800 for the week. We always take another couple, and the deal is that they pick up half of the fees, as well as the rental truck or car. Roughly $700 for the week for a room and car. Not bad!!

The other way to save money is to take down a cooler of food, and prepare your own meals in your condo. Believe me, grilling steak or chicken on the beach with a beer in your hand is not exactly what I would call work. If you eat out only 1 or 2 times over a weeks stay, you will save approximately $300 per couple.

Another website to look at for cheap air is sidestep.com. They search several discounters fares, as well as the major carriers. I'm not into getting in late at night, or leaving at the crack of dawn. Plus, I travel Sat to Sat. After a trip down south, I need a day to chill out before heading back to work!

William, We experienced the same savings. It's great.
The only problem with AA is sometimes you don't get your luggage until the next evening at around 9:30 pm.
The plane from SJU to BON is to small!
They get everyone on that has a ticket and leave the heavy dive equipment behind.
Cross your fingers and pack a good carry-on!!!!!