Could somebody let us know the best place to buy fresh fish, where it is located and the hours they are there to sell it. Thanks

Talk to me when you are here. The answer varies. It largely depends on when the boats come in, weather, wind, etc.

Any advance info would help. We're trying to put together an information guide for our unit at Sand Dollar and would like to include that if possible

Alan & Joan, I don't know if this helps you any, and it's been a year or so since we picked some up, but there's a lovely old local guy that sells fresh fish next to Richards Restaurant. We picked some up from him upon Richards reco'n. and it was just wonderful. As for the hours, he appeared to be there in afternoon into early evening. There's also a place opposite the Warehouse Food Store (can't think of the name, but we pick up good steaks there every year), I think they also sell fish (not certain though)..

Sarah

That's Doie Diaz..famous partymaker too...I see men sell fish at Lac Bay too..

I will try to have a page of fishy places put to together and perhaps Jake can add it to infobonaire. There are no less than 12 places that sell fish. Look for the sign Aki ta Bende piska or a scale hanging in a tree. You can sometimes just follow your nose. Cultimara also now has "fish cart" opposite the meat counter.

Michael, you can start with these from last year. Jake also added them to InfoBonaire. If you know of more you can update them.

Local Fish Markets

Local Fish Markets 2

Thanks, this will be very helpful

Hi, Ellen! Thanks for the links. I will save them for the next trip.

Glad to see you back on the board again...we have missed you! Have any new photos you can tease us with?? You are soooo good at underwater photography! Ayo. Carole

Thanks a lot, Ellen, I have saved your fish market info!

I'm amazed to read that Americans pack pounds of frozen meat to take on holiday. But I guess we all have different needs. I've been wondering if we will be able to get fresh (not heat treated, long life, U.H.T.) milk in Bonaire. Especially for our early morning cup of tea when we arrive from England at 3.45 a.m. I don't think a carton from home will survive the journey. Also are fresh fruit and vegetables readily available as I imagine everything is imported. Looking forward to our stay in Oct/Nov. Pat

Pat- There is regular (homogenized, pasteurized) milk available at Cultimara, and other stores, as well as UHT. You can even get whole, 2%, or non-fat (skim). Fruit and produce are great, but do vary, in the grocery stores. You may see iceberg and romaine one week and not the next. You can get fruit from the Venezuelan fruit boat downtown on the water too. I don't get the steak thing either. Part of the fun of Bonaire is going to the stores and seeing what they've got. It's part of the adventure for me!

Ditto, Kate...not all Americans haul along frozen meat! Depending on the island and arrival time, we sometimes do bring along a small amount of initial supplies in case grocery stores aren't open. But a cooler-full??? No way. Each to their own, tho.

Hi Ginny,

Just to let the rest of the board know, the only frozen meat going on my Air Jamaica flight from Chicago to Bonaire in November will be ME! lol depending on the weather, of course.

I guess there just must be a lot of finicky eaters out there. As a well-tested 53 yr old, single omnivore myself, if it doesn't move faster than my fork, it's mine. lol Sometimes tourists don't stop to understand that while they are only visiting, the local folks LIVE there! Of course they have food, beverages and the generally accepted civilities of life (KFC and Subway not withstanding)much the same as any community of 12,00+ would anywhere.

No offense meant to anyone who would actually go all the darn way to Bonaire and eat at the Colonel or the Underground railroad, but folks, you're missing out on some wonderful island cuisine.

DSAO

Some of the ex-pat North Americans living on Bonaire like the occasional piece of meat from home so some of us get to carry cuts that aren't available on island. Not like 'the old days' though. Much more variety there now.

Thanks Kate, Ginny, Randy & Glen for replying to my query. We can't wait to try some island cuisine. Especially the fish as this is our first visit to the Caribbean, Pat

and how about those maine lobsters, glenn?

Did that in June, too!!! :–)

Michael,

Re your note above about '..just follow your nose...' to fish sellers: do you really eat fish you can smell that far away??!!??

Next time don't tell me about the lobsters..introcue me hand to claw. I will put the hot water on and melt the butter...

we usually like to pack our cooler with things from new york to share with our friends in bonaire now, not like it use to be. A NY steak is my husbands idea of heaven anywhere, plus then we have a cooler for our stay ( although, you can pick one up there or "rent" it from hotel now )and a place throw our wet things in for the ride home, also good to carry the wheele of Gouda cheese back too.I can never travel light.