We're looking for the least expensive way to do a Bonaire trip in March for 4 divers, shore diving only. I'd appreciate any tips on airfare, and the best places to stay, rent truck and get unlimited air fills. Not worried about fancy but we do want "clean". Thanks!

a good starting point would be the www.infobonaire website. There you can find the accommodations based on price range. Unlimited airfill packages are widely available.

As is often mentioned, you trade price for amenities. Not on the water, no dive shop or restaurant, may or may not include a vehicle places (and there are MANY) up to and including full service, on the water resorts with EVERYTHING available.

If you are then able to narrow your choices you should be able to search the archives here and find trip reports or user reviews for most places.

Randy provides good advice -- it is pretty important to have an idea of what amenities are important to you and what your budget is.

Many hotels offer packages with diving and car. Travel agents can often do packages that also include airfare as well. Or they can all be bought individually.

Here is what I might do if I wanted to do the "cheapest."

I would start by doing research about where you want to stay. As Randy noted, you trade location/amenities for prices. Depending on your budget, you may find it worth it to pay a little extra to get more. Or not. Still, if you are going for a week or two and compared to the price of airfare, the price of upgrading your lodging choice is not much in the grand scheme. And I love having a nice house reef to dive anytime I want!

After that, spend some time searching the archives here, looking at the website of each hotel and, perhaps, browsing through the "trip reports" and "where to stay" topics.

I would then check with w/BonairePros (I have no personal knowledge of them) and Caradonna (I have used them and was very happy) and see what they can do for a package. They both have websites. Sometimes the package will get you a break on airfare. The Caradonna website also gives you an idea of prices.

So, here is take on the rest:
a) Airfare -- Check the normal places (Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia as well as airline websites -- especially American and Air Jamaica. Sometimes it is cheaper to fly into Curacao and take either Bonaire Excel or Divi Divi to Bonaire. Some have had some luck with priceline as well -- be sure you understand that service before you use it!

Do you have any frequent flyer miles sitting around? That can greatly reduce/eliminate the cost. Most useful would probably be American, Delta or Air Jamaica. Also, packages can often knock the price down.

b) Car rental -- I suggest a Toyota Hilux as it can carry four folks and gear w/o a problem. They also tend to be less expensive to rent. Note: most credit car insurances do not cover pick ups.

When comparing prices, be sure it is apples to apples -- all insurance you want, all taxes plus rental price plus any extra driver fees. Be sure you understand what insurance you are purchasing or declining -- it is not all the same nor all the same price. (I was very happy with budget last time -- about $300/week for a Hilux w/airco with all insurances w/a $300 deductable and taxes). The Infobonaire site lists the many car rental places. Finally, many hotels or tour packages offer rental cars and that is sometimes less expensive.

c) Diving -- Expect to pay $99 to $110 for six days of unlimited shore diving. This includes weights, weight belt, tanks and unlimited air. I prefer to dive with my hotel (if they offer it) as it is just much easier. If not, I would look for a place that offers drive through service (such as Buddys) but that is also reasonably close to your hotel.

d) Lodging -- I would suggest getting a unit with a kitchen (most have that) as it can save you lots of $$ on food. As with rental cars, be sure you are comparing apples to apples -- some charge a 10% service fee and most rates exclude the per person per night room tax. Hotel Bonaire Inn http://www.friarsinn.com/rates.html#rates might be the cheapest but there are many for just a bit more. Places like http://www.goldenreefinn.com/our_partners.html or the place near the Old Inn or Wannadive hut or Yacht Club Apartments...

A step up in price would be places like http://www.happyholidayhomes.com/rates.html (I found it very nice although no pool and most are not waterfront although a few are). And then there are many other options on the water (Divi, Carib Inn, Dons, Buddys, Eden, BelMar, etc. etc..).

For example, a two bedroom at Happy Holiday would be $99+taxes (they *might* offer a break if you book directly through them). The two bedroom at the Carib Inn (almost always booked) is $149+taxes. So, for $350/week extra you get a waterview room, pool and a pretty nice house dive.

My advice, ask yourself:
a) What is my budget and how much flex does it have?
b) What amenities are important to me (clean, on the water, house reef, pool, dive shop, bar, etc. etc.)?
c) One bedroom, two bedroom or studio?

and then go from there!

In may I rented a bungalow and a car from these people:

http://www.bonairebungalows.com/

Prices of bungalow and car were good.
It's in a bungalowpark 3 minutes drive from Bongo's; just around the corner of Donna and Giorgio.
When I was there, there was no guard and no alarmsystem.
Neighbours were very close. It's a residential area where some of the owners rent their houses.

Black Durgon Inn is $398. for a week, with shore diving, breakfast, and room in the package. Very relaxing place on the water. Small Wall is one of the house reefs. We stayed there in July,04. There is a communal kitchen for guest use. It's about 3/4ths of a mile north of Habitat/Lions Dive/Sand Dollar grocery, etc.

Have used the great escape pleasant people little english clean, a little basic breakfast adequate for a UK appetite I cant manage most of the US size portions we have been served at buddy etc

Jerri, welcome to Bonaire Talk !

For what you're looking for, I would also recommend www.goldenreefin.com. The owners (Liz and Ed Ginocchio) are just DOLLS and you will love them!

Keep us posted on what you decide and how you like it !

We did Coco Palm Garden in Sept. and Marion set us up with a dive package that in all was very reasonable. The accommodations are very nice, and included unlimited air,one boat dive (you really should do at least one out to Klein) and a truck. It's not on the water but right down the street.

I've lurked on this board for some time now and since I was put in charge of planning our spring trip I posted this request for info on Bonaire. Please know that I appreciate the helpful and very comprehensive responses I've received. I feel that I have all the info I need to plan a great dive trip to this special place without breaking the bank. Thank you for taking the time to give me some terrific input....

Y'all ROCK!

I'm extremely partial to Bonaire Town Homes. Rates for one bedroom units (with full kitchen --- VERY clean and comfortable) are $60/day, plus 10% service charge. two-bedroom units are $80/day. www.bonairetownhomes.com

Check Everts car rental for a small van, good rates, and credit card ins. will cover CDW on a van while it won't on a pick-up.

I spend six weeks on Bonaire each year, and can onlyh do so because these folks are so reasonable -- and VERY nice to boot.

We fell in love with Bonaire on our first trip in 1999, and have returned every year since then. There are so many other places I also want to visit, but keep coming back to that lovely island and its people -- you'll love it.

I would suggest you consider the Tropicana Apartments. I've checked out most of the economy rentals and these are new, roomy, and a few blocks from the water. You will not beat them for the price. The Aqua Viva apartments are nice but if it rains that area smells very badly--of course, the good news is you then know which way the wind is blowing. When we stayed at the Tropicana apartments we rented air and some gear from Yellow Submarine which is close to the apartments. We've rented a pickup from Poppy at Telerin@bonairelive.com and have always gotten the best price I could find on the island. Good luck and have fun.