1st timer questions on Bonaire

[DiveMaven]

Liz mentions not taking any US bills over $20. Stupid question maybe, but we were thinking of simply going to the bank and exchanging US for Gilders a couple of times during the trip. If we do that, can we use $50 or $100 bills (with the bank)?

 

[Trixxie]

Nothing that bad. Sorry, just had to pick at you a little, hope no offence was taken. I do get a kick out of first timers wanting to plan next years trip before we leave the island....trip #11 coming in July....for 2 weeks!......and I have an Amstel in my hand now..*$%*^!! PBD!

Here are few more tips for you.

From home take a 2L bottle cap with 3 or 4 holes drilled in it. On island,when you empty a 2L bottle, fill it with water and lay it in the sun (truck hood is great) before the dive. After the dive replace the normal lid with your drilled lid..cheap, instant solar shower. It's really nice for a face wash after a dive. If your leading a group, you will make a big hit with this.

Buy everyone a 1L bottle of water (I like squirt top kind) at the beginning of the week. After you empty it, refill it 1/2 way from the tap and place in the freezer on it's side (don't let the water block the mouth) until your next dive. Then fill it with tap water and wrap it in your dive towel for after dive hydration. The island heat is deceptive due to the constant winds, you need to drink lots. Luckily the tap water is safe to drink...and taste good to boot.

There is no need to carry much on the island. All I carry when traveling to and from a dive site is 1 credit card and a $20 in a waterproof (yea right) case. That is plenty for anything I need to do on the island between dives, no need for C cards, more cash or the like. Everything else stays in the ROOM SAFE. I also put my car keys in the wp case when diving and that goes in my BC pocket. All the stores are use to wet cash.

I am sure you have seen this. Don't leave anything of value in your vehicle while diving. Leave the windows down and the doors unlocked. The breakin problems on island are not nearly as bad as some would have you believe but it does happen..so far 10 trips using this advise and zero problems. Towels, old shoes and tshirts have not been messed with.

no problemo.....gotta mess with the rookie. I'm cool with that.

besides you more than made up for it with the shower thingy... salt water really irritates the skin on my neck. no where else, just there so this will be great!!
Thanks - here's hoping to catch PBD (and not nothing else!!)

 

[herman]

Liz mentions not taking any US bills over $20. Stupid question maybe, but we were thinking of simply going to the bank and exchanging US for Gilders a couple of times during the trip. If we do that, can we use $50 or $100 bills (with the bank)?

I sure you could but there is really no need. I don't bother with carring anything more than "traveling" money, a hundered or so for the road. Once I get to Bonaire, I use CCs and hit the local ATM for cash. There is an ATM beside Chat and Browse (in frount of Sand Dollar). It will give your choice of guilders or USD ($20s) so I see no need to carry lots of cash.

While on the subject of USD vs Guilders (aka Nfl) you will see a lot of prices in guilders instead of dollars. If a price looks about twice what it "should be" it's most likely guilders, if your not sure ask. The exchange rate is around $0.56 USD=1 Guilder, I use 2 to 1 as a rough calculation, thats close enough for estimation. When you get change in Guilders be aware that there are 1 and 5 Guilder coins that look a good bit alike. 5 Nfl coins (~$2.83 USD) add up quickly.

 

[dvrliz1]

I sure you could but there is really no need. I don't bother with carring anything more than "traveling" money, a hundered or so for the road. Once I get to Bonaire, I use CCs and hit the local ATM for cash. There is an ATM beside Chat and Browse (in frount of Sand Dollar). It will give your choice of guilders or USD ($20s) so I see no need to carry lots of cash.

While on the subject of USD vs Guilders (aka Nfl) you will see a lot of prices in guilders instead of dollars. If a price looks about twice what it "should be" it's most likely guilders, if your not sure ask. The exchange rate is around $0.56 USD=1 Guilder, I use 2 to 1 as a rough calculation, thats close enough for estimation. When you get change in Guilders be aware that there are 1 and 5 Guilder coins that look a good bit alike. 5 Nfl coins (~$2.83 USD) add up quickly.

Herman, et al...

It is B-U-T FUL here today...nice trade winds, sunny....not like the HORRIBLE COLD weather in the north east and other areas of the US...(COME ON DOWN ALL!!!! THE WATER IS FINE!!!...LOL)

You do not want to do exchanges at the bank. When you buy guilders, they charge fees, so your rate is less than 1.78 guilders - $1.00 You can bring $50 and $100 bills with you and stand in line (a waste of precious time, remember this is Bonaire, so you can wait in line for up to 1 hour if they are busy!) and exchange for $20.00 bills with no charge.

I definitely agree with Herman....bring your ATM cards and just take FL (guilder) out of the ATM machines....

Liz

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks both Liz and Herman, the money thing is always so important to know about when traveling to foreign countries...it varies so much from place to place that you just never know exactly what to do. I was trying to avoid paying CC and ATM fees, but I suppose there's no avoiding it without big hassles.

Guess we'll bring enough cash for the first few days (nothing bigger than $20 bills), then just withdraw from the ATM enough for a few days at a time.

 

[herman]

Ahhh the good news, at least for me, there has never been CC fees. Every place I have gone has charged me in USD so it's no different than being in the US. I got burned with ATM fees once in Coz but so far neither my bank or the Bonaire bank has charged me any fees.

And Liz I will remember the razzing.....one day I will show up at your door and get you......well steal a kiss at least.
Are you still doing the Monday BBQs?

 

[dvrliz1]

Hey Dushi....(for those of you who don't know...this is not a BAD thing)...it means "sweetie" in papiamentu!

Promises...promises...lol....

Yes, we do still have BBQs! They have been well attended too! Starting 1 March 2008 Gibi will be doing Modified American Plans here at GRI...(NOTE...GRI DOES NOT MAKE A PROFIT ON THIS...IT IS ALL CHEF GIBI'S $$). This will be for groups of 8 or more he says. Different Buffet every night...YUMMO!!!! Los Prinicpas, the local Mariachi Band that performs that night as well is selling their new CDs (their first) for $10.00 so you can stop by get one and have more PBD....

HUGS!

Liz

 

[Trixxie]

we have 24 folks who will be there from 05-Apr to 12-Apr. can't speak for everyone but I am sure we can get 8 of us together for at least 1 dinner. what kind of info do you need from us?

 

[herman]

mauigal, I can recommend the buffet. Gibi is a great chief and a super nice guy. If you want the flavor of real Bonairian cooking and hospitality the BBQ is a good place to get both.
The goat stew...yummm.

 

[keyshunter]

Do I have this right. One must FIRST go to the counter and get a boarding pass and THEN go back outside and pay the departure tax?