2-month stay in Bonaire: recommendations for diving, car rental, etc.

[slippy_lolo]

Hello everyone! I will soon be staying with a friend for 2 months in Bonaire. It's our first time on the island and we have a few questions regarding what's typical for prices/logistics.

• Diving. We will not be diving every day, but mostly every week-end + a few days here and there. Additionally, while I have my own gear, my friend does not. Do you know of dive centres which are best able to accommodate for this and offer us a package over the two months?
• Car rental. We checked around a bit, but what car rental company do people recommend for a "long-term" rental of two months? We are looking to get a pick-up to facilitate the diving.
• Accommodation. We have found a few great villas to rent, however a bit curious on what would be typical prices for a 2-3 bedroom place. Two months is shorter than the typical "long-term" rental deal.

Thank you very much!

 

[arew+4]

Dive Friends did, and may still, sell punch cards for fills, like 10 or 20 tanks at a time, at a discount vs. the single rate.

Have you checked with any on island real estate brokers? They do more monthly rentals than vacation rentals, I don't know if they all have minimums or how long they are but they are cheaper than the weekly rates through VRBO etc.

 

[junkyard_dawg]

I haven't stayed in Bonaire at that length, but I have always stayed at a vacation rental. Sometimes through VRBO sometimes booked directly through their website. Sunrentals Bonaire - Villas & Apartments is one I personally have used.

As arew+4 mentioned, I believe some dive ops still have option of number of tanks rented vs unlimited for 6-7 days.

I have no idea about a long term vehicle. I'd reach out to a few of the rental companies and see if they would rent monthly vs weekly and hopefully give a decent discount.

 

[shopguy]

I'm currently half way through my 3-month stay, and I was here for a 6 week stay in 2022. I don't have vast knowledge, but I've done the same thing twice, so will speak to what I do (2022 was with my wife, this year alone).

Stay: AirBnb - almost every stay has a monthly rate that is usually around the same price as a 10 night stay. In 2022 we had a huge 2 bedroom place that was $3,000/month -- way more than we needed. Currently I'm in a very nice 1 bedroom right downtown overlooking the water (1 block away though), paying $1,800/month.

Tanks: I've been using Dive Friends, but I'm sure there are cheaper options. I like that they support me as a solo diver, unlike Buddy Dive which refused to rent to me, and also Buddy tends to deny access to tanks when weather gets a little bad (yesterday, with the hurricane passing), even though diving was safe. Dive Friends has a 15-tank card for $210, so $14/tank. Buddy has a 12-tank card for $100, so $8.33/tank. I save money some days by doing an unlimited day for $38. When I do that, I get 2 tanks in the morning, do 2 dives, then get 2 more tanks before they close at 5pm (and don't use those tanks the same day).

Truck: Both times used AB Truck Rental. Pay around $2,000/month. I'm sure there are cheaper options, but I like their big trucks and no hassle policy. I haven't had any accident type damage, but I got a flat tire from driving on rough roads, I had a tailgate latch break off, and also a door latch (things rust out quick here), and they never even ask questions or try to find blame, they just fix the problem quick or give me a new truck. This visit I'm finding a decent stereo to be a bonus, since I don't take phone/etc when diving, all I have is the truck AM/FM to crank up the music and dance topless between dives (don't get too excited, I'm male).

You didn't ask, but... even diving can get boring when staying this long. I fill in the gaps volunteering. The animal shelter, Mangrove Maniacs, cleanup dives (Dive Friends quarterly), random strangers that need ditches dug or whatever my not-too-old-yet body can help with.

 

[NDL_Diver]

Try Huurauto's Bonaire - Fairmiles Carrental. Open in Chrome and translate. They offed a Toyota pickup for 330 per week with insurance. May offer monthly. May not have long term because smaller company.
Don't expect discount from anyone during high since they can get full price weekly.

 

[arubabob1]

Hi there. I do 2 to 3 months in the summer and winter on Bonaire. I rent a air B&B inland and Avis or Budget are usually the cheapest. But you cant rent over 30 days so I have to book 2 or 3 res. Hope this helps. If you want to hook up, send me a message. Aruba Bob