Going to Bonaire for the first time in January.Looking for recommendations on best options on where to stay and dive shops. Is it best to just go through a resorts package deals or can you a la cart it fairly easy?. Thanks
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IThere's a forum for that. Moved your thread there.
Bonaire
Thanks for the info! My wife and I both dive. We are choosing between Sand dollar and Capt. Dons at this point. Thanks to allYou can do ala cart fairly easily, but for a 1st timer in a new place, especially if you haven't set up a few topside dive trips before (your profile dive count is set at 50-99 so I'm guessing), the 'turn key easy' setup of a pre-configured package wit a resort (especially one with a nice house reef, like Buddy Dive Resort) can be a real plus.
If you don't drive manual transmission ('stick'), arrange for an automatic, but they are very much the exception so do so well in advance and it will cost extra.
Even with a package, when you get the rental they'll hit you up to get CDW insurance; not cheap, but a number of people consider worthwhile. Past discussions indicated people who think their credit card gives them CDW insurance as a perk find out it doesn't cover trucks, etc...
Medium-to-thick sole dive boots are your friend. Some places, like Oil Slick Leap, have topside areas that are so rough as to be jagged. Walking on that geared up in thin sole boots can hurt.
Dive Friends Bonaire gets a LOT of positive regard on the forum; Buddy Dive and Wanna Dive are also well-regarded. I think you'd be happy with any of those (I've used the latter two). DFB was multiple locations for tank pickup/drop-off, which would be handy.
Need more info. for where to stay. Going alone or taking a buddy or spouse? Any non-divers along? Are you low-budget (e.g.: I liked Dive Hut), mid-range (I liked Buddy Dive Resort; a lot of people spoke well of Sand Dollar Condo.s, Den Lamen and Divi Flamingo; Scuba Board's used the Plaza (an A.I. that can handle large groups) for big trips) or higher end/luxury (Harbor Village comes to mind by reputation - I'm too cheap for that!)? Do you like near town, or rustic?
Richard.
Check out Villa Safir.....They have a package with diving, lodging, and a pickup truck. They are awesome people and the place is beautiful! Bonaire Villa Safir - B&B Intimate HotelGoing to Bonaire for the first time in January.Looking for recommendations on best options on where to stay and dive shops. Is it best to just go through a resorts package deals or can you a la cart it fairly easy?. Thanks