Hi, I'm confused about what type of vehicle to rent for an upcoming spring, week-long trip to Bonaire.

1. I would like to go to the National Park, which I assume means I should rent a truck, rather than a car. But do the car rental contracts say you're not officially allowed to take anything but a 4WD vehicle on park roads? I wouldn't want to drive in the Park without insurance, but renting a 4WD seems very expensive and like overkill.

2. I'd like to be able to do more than one activity during our day trips around the island, such as perhaps hiking and then later snorkeling (there will be two of us, and we are snorkelers, not divers), but I have read that we should not leave any gear in the car when it is parked. I imagine we could rent a car with a trunk, in which we could then leave our gear, but we couldn't take the car into the National Park. It seems very expensive to rent a pick up with a covered bed, which I assume we could lock, for just two people, neither of whom dive. And it seems like a locked truck bed is just an invitation for someone to try to break into it.

3. I wondered if we should ask the rental company if we could rent a car for most of the week, but switch it for a truck for one day to go into the Park. That seemed a little complicated, but Is it the most sensible option?

4. I also wondered about taking a tour into the park. That might limit our flexibility re park activities. My husband might want to climb to the top of the peak in the park. Is the tour a lot better than driving yourself and picking up a guide?

Can you folks with Bonaire experience tell me how to sort through all this? Thanks so much.

In my expirience you don't need 4 wheel drive in the park. That said, I personally, am not comfortable going into the park with anything but a truck due to poor road conditions. I wouldn't leave anything in a vehicle that you don't want to disappear. I don't believe locked trunks and covers necessarily provide a secure situation - at least I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

Jan, welcome to Bonaire Talk

Marcus is correct, do not leave anything in ANY vehicle, and always leave the doors unlocked and windows down, regardless of car or truck.

You may want to take a stirophome [sic] cooler and put it in the trunk, or hide it behind some bushes if you go to the park and snorkel or hike. If it is gone when you get back, well, not a huge loss. Buy bottled water and put it in the freezer, and throw a couple in the car, so you make sure you have water.

I've made seven trips, and never had a problem. But then, the stuff I leave in the truck, I will not miss if it is gone when I return. I leave flip flops, old shorts, hat, ratty towel, etc.

Renting a car for half the trip, and truck half sounds like a good compromise if you want to go to the park

Jan...Welcome to BT!!! Check out a Suzuki Jimmy. I think it's the best compromise between a truck & a car. Especially for 2 people!

Ya know Vince, you've seemed so adamant about the Suzuki Jimmy in past posts that I'm seriously considering giving it a shot. In terms of insurance, is the Jimmy considered a car or a truck?

Jan,
From past experience, I tried to trade my car rental for a truck for one lousy day to see the park and it was an absolute NO GO. I got the royal run around from the rental agency 3 days in a row. I would recommend renting a truck (or a Jimmy as Vince said) from the start or you may be disappointed.

oh, yeah... welcome to BT

Thank you so much for all the responses and welcomes. I think Jan's post has brought us to a decision point. A car doesn't seem like the way to go. I'll check again, but I think the Jimmy is enough more expensive that we'll have to give it a pass.

And I've certainly gotten the message that we shouldn't leave anything of value in the truck, so I guess we'll back-pack our snorkel masks if we decide to do any sight seeing before or after snorkeling. They have prescription lenses, so I'd hate to lose them.

Our flippers (dive style, that fit over dive boots) would be rather heavy to carry around. Are those something thieves would want?

You can see I'm having trouble with the idea that every time we snorkel we'll need to come back to the hotel to drop our gear before we can do anything else. When I think of island life I think about exploring and being able to go with the flow of whatever grabs our interest. I'm having trouble figuring out how you do that when you can't leave anything in your vehicle.

Some companies allow you to take a truck to the park. E.g. from the terms of ABcarrental:

The renter is not allowed to drive on unpaved roads, nor in the National Park, unless he has rented a pick-up truck or a four-wheel drive car. Damage to cars and buses due to driving on unpaved roads is not covered by the insurance. If cars or buses are found to have been used in the National Park, AB Carrental shall have the right to charge the renter a fine of USD -.150. The renter himself shall be responsible for salvaging the car, if this should be necessary, and any and all expenses involved therewith shall be for his account. AB Carrental is not in any way obligated to provide assistance in such cases.

I read this as pick-up's are ok to take to the park. Note that I have never rented with AB, so I can't comment on their services.
pick-up's are among the cheapest cars as well. It is also possible to get one with a hard cover. That might be a help if you want to leave some stuff in. Then again, I would probably go back to the hotel to pick up my gear (as distances are not that big).

Frans.

Hi Marcus.. Believe me I've done both & am a big fan of the jimmy as you've observed. Mind you that this is for 2 people. If you have 4 then get the p/u truck. With 2, you can fold the back seat down & there easily enough room for 2 tanks & your gear.

Advantages:
1.you have 4 WD if you need it & can easily switch to conventional rear drive alone on the roads (to save gas).
2. parking. I couldn't tell you how many times the smaller size was advantageous to us!
3. The rear section is open & you can't lock it. People see it & automatically assume "there can't be anything of value in that thing".
4. I believe the rental companies construe it to be a car & NOT a truck. In my case moot since I have the AMEX addl. coverage which would cover a p/u truck anyway.

To each his own.. I realize my views are in a distinct minority & the Toyota Hi Lux is the "truck du jour" on Bonaire. But there are many times I have different views from the masses and I always feel comfortable with my choices.

Jan...yes the idea of going back to the room whenever you want to do something else is a bit annoying. I personally hate it! Several times I have wanted to go to Jibe City and hang out after a dive, but then realized I had to go back to the hotel rinse my gear and leave it there. Hence why after 4 trips I still have not hung out at Jibe City.

However, that said, lots of people do not find this annoying and just consider it part of the charm of the island. Whatever the case...do not leave anything in the truck that you do not want stolen. If you do not care if your fins are stolen, then take the risk. If you do care, then go back to your room and drop them off. To date we have lost a bottle of sunscreen and a pair of paint stained shorts. Of course...we left them in the truck knowing the risk, so we are not complaining. I'm just letting you know that things can walk away if they are left in an unattended vehicle.

Our vote is for a truck! The jeep might be good for you, but we always get a truck. And remember, leave your windows rolled down at all times. Have a great trip!

(Message edited by jeanineclark on February 11, 2007)

Thanks Vince. I'll check it out.

More thanks for more helpful information. I really appreciate the specificity of the responses and sharing of personal experiences.

I am feeling less and less confused and more excited as I read the postings. Today from a post on the dining section I learned we will be on the island for Dia di Rincon. Going to a local celebration sounds like a wonderful way to experience Bonaire.