I just tried reserving a car from Netty's a few weeks ahead of our planned trip there in mid-February.

Netty's replied back saying that all their vehicles are rented due to it being their high season and to give them *four* months advanced notice next time!

Four months?!?!

So if you plan on using Netty's ... at least during the busy season .... be sure to book your car well ahead of time.

Martin,

I also tried renting a car during the busy time of the year (Christmas through New Year) and every single car company laughed when I called. They all reiterated that I should have booked three months before; so I learned my lesson.

Once I got to Bonaire, however, I called the car companies each day to see if they had cancelations. About three days into the trip I got a rental from Budget. All worked out in the end...

-Stephen

Try Everts, I just got booked with them when Netty's couldn't accommodate me. Nice people, too.

I'm waiting to hear back from AB Car Rentals. I completed a reservation form online and should know something fairly soon. If not them ... I'll give Everts a try.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Just returned from a week trip last Saturday. Based on the lack of crowds, I'm surprised about Netty's high-season comment. But perhaps February is busier. However a word of caution: It seems, at least at AB Carrental, that most vehicles are manual transmission. The gentlemen ahead of me in line had reserved an automatic and it was not available. AB did drive his party to their accomodations that evening, but I'm not sure what happened after that. I've used AB several times and have not had problems with their vehicles (again, manual transmission). But the minivan I rented this time needed a new muffler. I think I scared many of the fish away from divesites with the car's noise. No wonder we saw fewer flamingos this trip!

On a different topic, I had a very nice walk to the top of Mt Brandaris in the park. I was at the park at 8AM when it opened to beat the mid-day heat. I recommend the walk highly but a sturdy pair of shoes is needed. It's probably not a good walk for smaller kids - there's some scambling needed toward the top. Walk time: 40 minutes up, 35 minutes down. I didn't stop for too many photos. Drive to and from the trail-head (taking the short route): hours. The road's not it too bad of condition, but it's still slow going.

Where does the name Brandaris originate? One source said "Brand" is Dutch for "fire" and Brandaris meant "Mountain of the Fire-breathing Dragon". Another equally reliable source said it was "Mountain of the Fire Ants".

Just heard back from AB Car Rentals. They had one (and only one) of the 4 dr. Pickups to rent. I'm assuming it will be manual transmission which I can live with for at least few days.

Just happy to have one.

I must rent unpopular autos.

I have never had a problem, but then again I always plan ahead. Just today I found exaclty what I looking for, at a good price, for the first two weeks of April.

Shop around. Email rental places and ask for quote on best deal for auto which you desire. I find it almost impossible to believe that all the rental cars on Boniare could be rented at one time.

Patronizing one, or couple of places, may also help in the long.

Dave

I think part of my problem was not realizing that I needed to start looking more than a few weeks prior to leaving. Any other time I've tried renting a car someplace, it was never an issue.

I'll be there in mid-February and since I'll be there with the whole family (5 people), I was needing a vehicle that could haul all of us along with scuba gear.

Since you started well ahead of time (I would have thought that your two+ months is plenty!), I would imagine the availablity and choice would be much greater.

When I was first turned down by Netty's, I thought others might appreciate the warning so that they could plan ahead a little better than I did.

Martin:

Don't take my comments offensively. You actually provoked me into looking for a rental. I would have waited otherwise.

I just have never had a problem. Even on much shorter notice. I was curious if you or others were getting the run around. I thought that maybe the rental people were hopping for a higher bid.

I look up transportation on infoboanire and the list of rentals is as long as arm. Someone must have what you need.

On a similar note, anyone know where I rent a "Maruti" (Spell?) It is a jeep type thing with bench seats in the back facing each other.

Dave