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Getting around Bonaire: Won't a car do?
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2005-06-01 to 2006-06-01: Won't a car do?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Amy Brown (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 1:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We (two of us) will be visiting Bonaire April 11 - 20. After reading others' comments, I see that trucks are way preferred over cars for those planning to dive, but am still resistant. We plan to split our time between snorkeling, scuba diving, biking, hiking, and general exploring. Our preferred mode of operation on vacations is to hop in a vehicle with whatever we might need for the day (dive gear OR bikes, say) and just go where we please. Sounds like the main reason people prefer renting trucks is for the park -- which we certainly want to do, but maybe on bikes? Or is that not a good idea? I would much prefer to rent something with a trunk we can leave our gear in so it's out of sight while we walk around somewhere or stop in for a bite at a restaurant. If we rent a truck, we'd have to stop back at our bungalow first to dump off the dive gear. We're staying at the Carib Inn.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #171) on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amy, you pose an interesting question especially considering your preferred vacation. We have rented both cars and trucks and both have their good points. I do not recommend biking in the park, the road is nearly impassable in many spots. For the park you'd need a truck or jeep. Have you considered renting both types of vehicles? Rent a car for most of the time and then trade for a truck for a few days.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #617) on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 5:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amy, my personal preference is a truck because it is easy to load and unload dive tanks, you can use the back for gearing up and then sit in the back when you are done and ready to take off your wetsuit without standing on the coral rubble found in most dive site parking spots. Have you looked for a truck with a locking box on the back. Am not sure which company has them but think it might be AB. Also, Bonaire is a small island and it is often not a great distance to return to your accommodation to drop things off.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #563) on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 6:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome to the board Amy.
Like Susan said, nothing is very far away on Bonaire, it's a small island. A truck is so much more diver friendly. We do a 2 tnk dive in the morning, go back to the resort for lunch (PBJ most days) and head off for another 2 tanker after lunch and a rest. There is really no need to take a lot of gear with you and really you should not take what you are not going to use. No need to present an opportunity to a dishonest person. I hate to say it but a locked vehicle is asking to be "looked" into. Windows down and doors unlocked is your best bet. We never leave anything more than a towel and some water in our truck.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Rushman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #127) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amy, If it doesn't rain, you can do the park in a car, but it's a challenge - drive slowly, cautiously, avoiding the deep ruts and potholes. Get to the park first thing in the morning and plan to spend most of the day there. If it has rained recently, they won't let you in the park with a car. When you get to the Carib Inn, talk with others about if the park is passable in a car.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #619) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Amy, if you plan to do the park in a car you need to check your rental agreement as some of the companies do not allow their cars to be taken into the park.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Becky Hauser (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #269) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 10:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'll chip in my 0.02... I rented a car, which worked fine for what I wanted to do. I tried as George suggested above, to trade for a truck to see the park (this was last October). I was told to come back later that day... none available, I was told to come back the next morning... none available, I was told to .... you get the picture.

I made 3 trips to AB Car rental and was told "none available" even though I counted no less than 20 trucks with their stickers in the lot.

My advice would be if you think you want to see the park - get the truck from the beginning.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2687) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Truck is so much easier for shucking the wetsuits, hauling tanks, gearing up on back.

BTW, you can't really "get a bite" in Bonaire restaurants, if you mean zip in and zip out. They are not set up for any zipping at all. Zipping will not occur.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #460) on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 8:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb,
LOL, coffee on screen...
*****
Zipping will not occur.
*****
I just love it when Zipping does not occur

Amy,
I am not so sure that 1 bike will fit into the trunk of a car in Bonaire. I know when my sister (non diver) goes to Bonaire with me she always comments/calls her car rental "matchbox" You might try renting a truck with a full cover over the bed. But then again that screams "I've got something back here and I don't want you to see it" Just my .02's
Yana

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #438) on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 2:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We agree with everyone about a truck being the best bet. On Bonaire nothing is very far away, And if you are going to eat at a restaurant/cafe in town it will not be very fast. you will also need to take shorts and/or dress with you to change into before going to restaurant. The Bonairians are a fairly modest people, so it is recommended that you not wear your swim suit into town. Which ever you decide on car or truck have a good time. You will love the island and its people.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Amy Brown (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks to everyone so far for the feedback. Just to reassure everyone, we have no intention of zipping anywhere or for any reason. What's the point of a vacation if you can't avoid zipping? And we would never walk around town in our bathing suits, even in Ocean City -- good point about needing to change first. One big reason we're looking forward to Bonaire is the opportunity to dive (or not) on our own schedule instead of the dive boat's, and we want to be able to be spontaneous.

Again, thanks for the input. We are anticipating a great time!

 


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