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Getting around Bonaire: Do you need a truck/suv on bonaire?
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2004-12-31 to 2005-05-17: Do you need a truck/suv on bonaire?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Meyer (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 1:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I noticed that many people rent pick up trucks or SUVs on bonaire. Is there a need for a vehicle that you can take off-road, or is it more a matter of taste/coolness-factor ?!
Or to ask the other way round, can you reach most dive sites on a "proper" road (+short walk maybe)?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13114) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 1:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Frank, I don't think there is a "coolness" factor to any rental vehicle on Bonaire...you'll see what I mean when you get there. You can get around the main roads, and to dive sites with a truck or mini-van. You just need something that will fit tanks and gear. If you plan on going to the Washington S. Park, then you need the truck, as it's really offroad...but now that I think of it, I've never seen an SUV on Bonaire...just beat up cars, trucks, minivans and vans...

The only dive site you can get to with a "short walk" will be the house reef at your resort...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Frank (BonaireTalker - Post #86) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 1:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You can rent cars, small suv's such as RAV4's, compact minivans or pickups. The most popular rental is the ubiquitous white Toyota Hi-Lux, a basic, sturdy, reliable model which is apparently the most popular truck in most parts of the Third World (and briefly famous as the Taliban's vehicle of choice in Afghanistan). The pickup is simply the most practical for shore diving. Most come with a simple tank rack made of 2x4's. you just load some tanks, toss your gear in the back, and pick your dive site.

-David

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Meyer (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 1:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, thanks. I guess my point was more if a "normal" passenger car (toyota camry for example) is sufficient, as some rental agencies offer them cheaper, and some credit cards cover the insurance for them (and not for pick up trucks).
At home I have a "normal" car and can fit in all my diving gear just fine.

I saw the recent thread about CDWs, so that's one reason why I am asking.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Feldman (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1187) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 2:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't think I've seen anything as big as a Camry. Though they do have minivans (and I do mean mini). Think european compact car size - low, narrow, short, small tires. My husband, who is 6'3" and 235lbs, would probably divorce me if I suggested we rent a car in Bonaire. :-)

If you can fit yourself and your dive gear in something that small, and you don't intend to go to Washington Slagbaai, then you should be fine.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3851) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 3:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Susan, I KNOW there is a Camry for rent on Bonaire, we used it as our wedding car. I believe it's rented at Avis.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Feldman (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1188) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 3:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ah, I stand corrected. I can't say I've seen it though. Mostly, I've seen those Daewoo things, in both "hatchback" and "minivan" style.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13120) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 5:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I guess I didn't think of the RAV4r's as an SUV, but I guess they are in that class ;-)

I'm with Susan, don't think I've seen a Camry on bon...but I guess Martini knows best ;-) specially if he rented one...LOL!

Oh, here's a good one...anyone ever seen a limo on bon?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2004) on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 7:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Does the H1 count Cynde?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Rushman (BonaireTalker - Post #73) on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 1:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If there's been no recent rain, you Can do Washington Park without a truck, but the roads in the park are pretty marginal after bad weather. Make sure your spare tire is in good repair and you have a jack and tire iron.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kaye (BonaireTalker - Post #63) on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 7:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Washington Slagbaai Park itself allows entrance to any four wheel vehicle - sedans, minivans, trucks, whatever, just no motorcycles or similar. The car rental agencies, however, allow only their trucks or SUVs to enter the park. (I think that's a universal prohibition among the agencies; I haven't found any exception.)

As a practical matter, you need the added ground clearance of a truck or SUV on the park roads. (Please don't call it "off-road", that cancels everyone's insurance.) It's really touch and go with a sedan, and often more touch than go.

I've found the RAV4 to be superb in Washington Slagbaai - take it slow, and it will go anywhere - on a dirt road that's only a bit rough, you can safely zoom along (at much greater speed than is officially allowed in the park). And since the RAV4 is a mini-SUV, it's covered there by Visa's no-cost CDW (not by MasterCard, which requires "bound pavement" - Visa just doesn't let you be covered "off-road"). On the other hand, believe that "mini" designation. The RAV4s I've seen on Bonaire are a 2-door (called 3-door?) version with a tough climb into the back seat and just a little cargo space behind the back seat.
David

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #184) on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 11:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Frank:

I find the Hilux pickup to be a great choice -- extra clearance for Slagbaai and the odd shore diving side.

Easy to load gear and you never need to worry about where to put the wet gear. It also makes a nice platform to gear up. It seats four very easily. It is also one of the cheaper vehicles to rent; at least before any insurance decisions. (Note: most credit card insurances do not cover pick ups).

That said, you can reach most dive sites via a proper road plus a short walk.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill vermaas (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 1:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If I am a snorkeler, not a diver, is a truck still the best way to go for shore-snorkeling? Is the extra insurance the way to go, seeing how my Mastercard will not cover trucks (I'm not sure about the RAV or Jimy)?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mary Mueller (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3876) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 2:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill - for snorkeling - you do not need a truck unless you are going to the park - however the RAV will also do well in the park - so that may be your best bet. I would not recommend a sedan in the park - though I have seen many in there - but I would be afraid of bottoming out.

As far as the extra insurance - that is a personal thing - depends on the risks you are willing to take

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #260) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 2:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill: If I was snorkeling instead of diving thereby having no tanks or gear to haul, I would be tempted to rent something other than a pickup truck and let my credit card company provide the insurance instead of paying the rental company on Bonaire for the insurance. Be advised though, that a car in Washington park would be a real challenge due to the rough roads (assuming going into the park is something you would want to do).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kaye (BonaireTalker - Post #81) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 2:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill:

See my post above of 2/20. IF you're going into Washington Slagbaai, I think the RAV4 with VISA insurance is a good choice. The Jimny would probably also be covered by VISA's CDW, but you should call VISA to be sure. I've never driven the Suzuki, so I can't comment on how well it does on the park roads.

If you're not going into the park, rent a sedan. Don't be tempted by a minivan. Every minivan I've rented on Bonaire has been an awful rust-bucket; besides, you sit right at the front of the van, over the motor housing, and YOU are the crush zone in case of a collision.

David
(Who has just survived two weeks completely okay in a minivan, but that's another story)

 


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