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Getting around Bonaire: Is 4 wheel drive necessary for the park?
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2006-06-01 to 2006-12-31: Is 4 wheel drive necessary for the park?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl Justice (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 3:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

All the guide books recommend 4 wheel drive for touring the Washington Slagbaai Park, although those car rental agencies on Bonaire that do not carry 4 wheel drive claim that a "high clearance" vehicle is all that is necessary. It seems 4 wheel drive is quite a bit more expensive. Any advice. We will be there in Feb.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #898) on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 6:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We went through in a 2 wheel drive toyota pick up no problem. You have to go slow in some places and carefully pick your line so you don't get hung up on a rut.

No problem really. And really cool by the way. Took me 5 trips to BON before I got up there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Thomas (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1334) on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 10:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hummmmm - Coming up on my 7th trip and I've never been in the park, because we've never had 4WD. But if we can go in our standard Toyota "5 pack", maybe this will be the year! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Carter (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #140) on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 8:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We used a regular truck , no 4 wheel drive, and had no problems.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2138) on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 9:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

4wd is not really necessary for the park...Just a high ground clearance. Pick ups are just fine

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #910) on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 1:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We made a nice trip through the park a few years ago in a suzuki mini-van.....high clearance. No problems!

I think it depends on when you go. If it has recently rained the mud would be hard going without 4wd.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #913) on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 11:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

we drove thru the park last march and the roads were the worst i've seen them in all the time we've gone there (since 1995). we had to back down a few hills and pick a new line up so we didn't scrape the bottom off the truck. the roads could really use some regrading.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Boycott (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 5:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Did the park when i was there in June, hired a jeep and it scared the bejesus out of me,its hard enough for a Brit driving a R/H drive car and being on the wrong side of the road, but the park was a course in extreme off road driving!. still enjoyed it though.
The park ranger at the museum told me that there were plans in place to re-concrete the roads in the park either late this year or next year.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4649) on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 6:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

"The Park" is great...and the road may not need a 4 wheel drive...but the road is bumpy and LONG...even the short route. Plus it is one way....so once in...you have no choice but to "enjoy the park". Remember Bonaire is very hot and desert like. We have done the park twice and if we ever go back...we will go on a "guided tour". This way you are assured (?) that if you break down someone will find you...and you are sure to see the best sites. Enjoy....

 


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