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Getting around Bonaire: Will a Suzuki Jimmy have enough clearance for the Park?
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2005-05-23 to 2005-06-10: Will a Suzuki Jimmy have enough clearance for the Park?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Osenkowski (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 1:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi - we are hikers and explorers and hope to do the park while we are on Bonaire in March. We aren't divers and don't really need a big truck. Hertz has a 4WD Suzuki Jimmy. Will this have enough clearance for the roads in the park?
Thanks! sue

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathalie (BonaireTalker - Post #99) on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 3:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Best to email the Hertz people on Bonaire and ask. The rental companies specify which vehicles can and cannot be driven into Washington Park. You don't necessarily even need a 4 wheel drive. I know from experience that the less expensive rental vans do fine in the park. Have fun!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Gross (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 3:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Suzuki is fine. On the other hand, I have never found a car that won't go through park, and over the years I have rented every cheap model offered on Bonaire, starting 20+ years ago with a glorified golf cart whose name escapes me at the moment. No one ever checks on what you take into the park.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Rushman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #117) on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 1:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Larry writes "... with a glorified golf cart whose name escapes me...".

Daihatsu Charade would be my guess. Small hatchback with manual transmission, often with the floor rusting out?

John R

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michèle Knuf (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 8:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I used to work at Hertz and we would actually recommend the Jimny over the trucks, with all the sharp turns etc. it's easier to tour with the jeep.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Gross (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 9:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Finally came to me: it was a Mini Moke, about 1983, at the Bonaire Beach Hotel. Tires the size of a golf cart's, canvas roof, no doors - which made sunburn a constant concern, but otherwise it navigated the island (over and over) just fine. I think that was the last year they were available.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #219) on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 6:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Larry
I have been going to Bonaire since 1980 and would have agreed with you till last week, having gone to the park in anything I rented. I hadn't been up there in about 2 years, but wound up with a truck last week and so off we went. I would now say you need a truck to go there. The roads are in the worst shape they've been in years. You need plenty of ground clearance. Also, the other nemesis in the park, cactus on the road is a problem. They won't let you in with a car anyway.
'Nu said Mickey

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathalie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #103) on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 6:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think the condition of the roads and what vehicles are allowed in varies depending on the season. During the rainy season the roads can get in bad condition. During the rest of the year I think they're likely to be in good condition.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Gross (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 2:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow, cars banned in park. Takes the fun out of making it through in some unsuitable vehicle. Comes from my mis-spent youth on dirt roads, I guess. Good reminder about the cactus spines, which will puncture most tires.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5288) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 6:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Park took a huge hit after all the heavy rains last fall/winter/spring. It was the roughest (but most fun!) ride we had experienced in six trips. We had a high clearance four wheeler, too. I can't imagine a regular car making it through those conditions. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #228) on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 6:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

they rarely close the park because of bad roads. so what happens is that people can get thru with jeeps and trucks...then the roads eventually dry up and what's left are crater sized ruts. makes for an exciting drive. it would be hard in a car and doable but uncomfortable in a toaster van where you're sitting right over the front wheels.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 10:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If one needs a truck to go through the park, are there any 'tours' that go there? If so feedback on one's experience would be appreciated. Thanks, Cheryl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By monique van berge henegouwen (BonaireTalker - Post #37) on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 4:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cheryl, I know "Outdoor Bonaire" does all kinds of trips from 2 till max. 6 people

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson (BonaireTalker - Post #66) on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 12:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you Monique, I'll look into this.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Ferguson (BonaireTalker - Post #79) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 1:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If we do rent a truck to go thru the park we will need one that handles the pot holes without too much bouncing around (had neck fusion)and would really need to be extra careful .......what vehicle would accommodate this need and where can it be rented? Would tour bus be better for us? Thank in advance. Cheryl
I supposed I can get out and walk around the pot holes! Now that's a idea ..no???

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #569) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 11:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

cheryl, i would recommend a pickup truck. if you rent a van you'll be sitting right over the front wheels and will feel every bump. jeeps have too short a wheelbase and can give a rougher ride. a truck is ok tho...just take it slow and keep the wheels on the ground instead of airborne. sometimes you just can't drive around the ruts and holes so you slow down and go thru them.

 


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