AE/AA Flights San Juan to Bonaire advice

[karenpadi]

I am flying through San Juan to Bonaire on AA (booked with a group) in March. Based on earlier threads, it seems that I am setting myself for lost luggage/being bumped.

I am a pure "vacation diver" and will be renting all but mask/snorkel/fins from the dive operator. My question is, would it be worth the extra trouble for me to not check any luggage (i.e., only take a large carry-on)? This would probably mean buying fins in Bonaire, but eh, I don't like the ones I have anyway.

Has this flight improved at all since the posts last fall?

Any bare minimum packing suggestions for Bonaire? (sample toiletries, I know...)

Also, I have a five hour layover in San Juan. Any suggestions? I could just read a book, but when in Rome...

 

[diversteve]

On the AE puddlejumper to Bonaire and back, they don't have big enough overhead bins for even a standard carry-on. But they don't tell you at the gate. The trick is to board the tram with it and have them check it plane side so you can watch it being loaded. Then just recover it in Bonaire. Separate your passport etc. in the terminal, there's often propwash from other departing planes on the tarmac.

We had a slightly longer layover. There's no lockers at the airport in San Juan. So we took cab to one of the big hotel/casinos in Isla Verde (10 min away), asked the bellman to hold our bags and had lunch. Maybe the Condado Plaza, or the Intercontinental, I can't remember which. Nice views. They all have on-site casinos also.

Don't go out to the beach past the security checkpoint though, unless you have a room key they won't let you back on the property. That's what our waitress told us.

Then we took a cab to Old San Juan and looked around for a couple hours. You won't want to drag your bag there though, the streets/sidewalks are narrow, hilly and torn up. Almost all the shops sell the same cheap souvenirs, catering to the cruisers in port. The open air market in the square was worth a look, live birds and other stuff.

Then cab back to get your bag, Isla Verde is a five minute detour on the way back to the airport. You can usually find a cab in old SJ just up the hill from the cruiseport. Most drivers speak a little english and they all know the names of the hotels and aeroporto.

Or there's the Bacardi factory tour...might be cutting it kind of close to go out there and back.

 

[karenpadi]

Thanks! I was thinking of a carry-on suitcase and a messenger bag for my passport/necessities.

Thanks for the tip about stashing my bag on lay-over. Old San Juan sounds especially interesting.

 

[reefdiva]

There is a luggage storage facility in the San Juan airport. It is on the same level (upper level) as the ticket counters. It is across from the American counters and very near the Cinnabon bakery. You will need to show your passport, give the time of return and pay 4 dollars per bag. After leaving your bags you can head down the outside stairs to the taxi area. We like to take a cab to Isla Verde to go to the beach and have lunch at one of the beach bars. There are also vendors who rent chairs for 4 dollars each. Cab to Isla Verde is ten dollars one way. When you return to the airport and collect your bags you will need to go through security again -- head to the security area marked gates 1-5 as the lines are shorter.

 

[H2OU]

If you have a connection time of less than 2.5 hours, avoid the San Juan airport if at all possible. That is my advice.

 

[diversteve]

I should clarify that there are no lockers in the American Eagle terminal. Although we asked an airline employee and were told there were no lockers anywhere. We never went near the American counter.

 

[karenpadi]

Thank you! I will be avoiding the airport! Thanks for the bag storage tip!

 

[chauncy19]

In the camp that anything can happen so take this as just one person's experience. I have flown to Bonaire on AA three times.
Last time in March. Have never (knock on wood) had luggage missed placed, lost or delayed. Funky delays yes. So I would be prepared but not panicky. Always carry on essentials just in case keeping in mind as mentioned over head bins are small on the leg to Bonaire.I am going again this March on AA as well. hoping my good fortune continues.

 

[Cacia]

San Juan, in my opinion, is a problematic airport. Not saying don't do it, but prepare for every possible problem, especially theft.

In the eight years I was in the West Indies, I avoided it if possible, but I did fly there quite a bit with patients. It's the kind of place where a 2 pound baby on 02, waits an hour behind people claiming Johhny Walker. Think wild, wild west, and you'll be okay.

 

[karenpadi]

Thank you! I am really looking forward to Bonaire!