It will only be 2 of us diving. Do we need to get a truck or will a small hatchback do?

Don't rent a car for diving as you will get stuck in the sand/rubble... Ron

Most folks that dive Bonaire rent a small pickup truck. These are usually 4 door Mazdas or Toyotas and can seat up to 5 people, and almost always standard shift until you get several levels up. Bottom-of-the-line rentals are basic vehicles without power steering, radio or air conditioning; also vinyl seats (i.e., hot). Next level up (and just a little more money) comes with power steering (very helpful), radio (nice, but not critical), air conditioning (very helpful), and cloth seats (so not as hot or sticky). After the first time of renting a basic truck (Group 1), we have gone to the next level (Group 2) every time since. We use AB (many vehicles) and have been pleased. Others will surely chime in on their satisfaction with almost every other rental agency. Suggest reading through the other posts in this "Getting around Bonaire" thread for info on leaving the vehicle unlocked and not leaving anything in the vehicle while diving (heed that advice!), and insurance alternatives.

Advantages to a truck:

Easier to haul tanks around

Easier to sit down on the tailgate to gear up and put on the bc/tank

Easier to toss off your booties sitting on the tailgate, and shuck off your wetsuit in the back of the truck, keeping the sand off.

Easier to toss your gear in back.

I know AB has done away with their low end trucks, all have ac now.

Alyson...Welcome to BT!!! I go to Bonaire with my wife so it's usually just the 2 of us. I used to rent the Toyota p/u trucks but basically found them to be too big & clumsy. Now I'm sold on the Suzuki Jimmy. Great for 2 people, has 4 wheel drive if you need it, you don't have to worry about locking it up (since it's opened) & when the rear seat folds down you have enough room for tanks as well as equipment for 2. My advice, skip the Toyota Hi Lux & get the Jimmy!
PS you'll also find it MUCH easier to maneuver in town!

I wouldn't shore dive with anything but a truck. If you rent from AB, get with them and ask them for the Mazda - better truck than the Toyota.

If it's worry about driving a vehicle the size of a truck vs a car - many of the cars available in America, domestic and foreign, are about the same size or larger than the pickups available for rent on Bonaire.

I think the Jimmy or comparable is more expensive than the basic pickup - not quite but almost twice as much for the comparable on the AB website. I don't know if price is an issue for you.

another thing to consider is that visa and mastercard will usually cover the cdw on a car but don't on a truck. check with your credit card company to see what they'll cover.

We have used the small cars several times on Bonaire. Last year we dove almost every day for a month using a small hatchback with no problems except for not being able to enter the national park area. We actually prefer the small vans but our rental company did not offer them last year. Cars and Vans are covered by most credit cards. This year I have an Amex card and they will cover trucks for a small additional fee so I plan on using a truck so we can visit the park. In the past we did tour the park with a van.

Hi Alyson! I'm with the truck people on this one for a couple of reasons. First, when it was just me on island, I rented the truck and loved it. Second, you can use the tailgate to set up your gear on, which is much easier on your back than trying to stand fully geared from the ground. Third, my car's bumper at home is the perfect reason to rent a truck. If you get tired at the end of a long day of diving, it is much easier to toss your things into the bed of the truck then to hoist them in and out of a car. I have a couple of nice thick scratches on my car from taking gear in and out of the trunk.

What ever you pick, you will have a blast! Bonaire is a wonderful dive destination.

I love the mini van I get from Everts -- it's so easy to sit on the back and get the gear on, the open door often provides shade, and it's a piece of cake to load and unload. Everts provides a tank rack on request, and they are a great company to deal with.

truck

Truck (for all of the reasons Seb said plus the increased clearance)