Airline fares to bonaire summer 2009

[dvrliz1]

Ok, a few people have asked me about airfare so I figured I would do a little investigating. Found out a few good things.

First, even though Continental says it has stopped its direct flight Newark to Bonaire, and will go through Houston, it looks like they will still do the direct flight if they can justify the cost. I found quite a few great flights. I remember when Continental added the 2nd flight from Houston (Sunday), they didn't even have to advertise, it just filled up. That flight (2nd Houston) was only suppose to last for a few weeks every high season, but it flies anywhere between 8-12 months a year depending on load factors.

OK Did some checking and this is what I found. I did a sampling mid July and mid August. All prices include taxes, etc., per person RT.

CONTINENTAL:
EWR: $450
ORD: $550
BOS: $585
IAH: $620
LAX: $635
PHX: $705
SEA: $740
DEN: $760

INSEL:
Direct to Bonaire starting 2 July

MIA: $520

DELTA:

I definitely recommend flying into Curacao. I found flights including taxes for about $600 RT and you can connect with DAE, DIVI, EZAir, Insel Air

ALSO:

Check flights to Aruba, you can get to Bonaire by DAE, Insel and my fav, Tiara Air (direct from Aruba to Bonaire).

Hope this helps.

Liz

 

[chauncy19]

Love Bonaire and will be flying there again this August on Continental newark redeye on the 22nd. But can't figure out why change airlines in Curacao. Why not just stay and dive on Curacao. I admit to never having been to Curacao. But because AA is no longer going to Bonaire and my many FF AA miles my next dive trip will be Curacao. Maybe I can better answer my own question then. Plan on staying at All West Apartments and diving with Ocean Encounters west. Sorry if I am Hijacking the tread I am just having trouble thinking about changing airlines to get to Bonaire when Curacao seems like a good alternative.

 

[dvrliz1]

Chauncy,

There is a tremendous amount more shore diving on Bonaire, then Curacao, hence "diving freedom". All West is beautiful, but it is located in Westpunt, which is about a 30-40 minute drive to town. If you only want to stay in that area and dive only in that area or don't mind the drive, then that is a good option for you.

In Bonaire we say everything is 15 minutes from everything, and it is basically true. You also have a greater independence when it comes to diving, restaurants, town, etc.

I have been to Curacao often and one time stayed at Habitat. It was very nice, but it took us 30-40 minutes to get to Denny's (breakfast/lunch), a casino and over 45 minutes to get to Punda, the shopping side of Wilemstad. Also, driving back to Westpunt (Habitat is there as well) at night is not fun, dark, little to no streetlights, and one again a long drive.

Liz

 

[DeputyDan]

The DIVI DIVI is worth the experience.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I had heard that Continental is stopping the Newark direct flight Saturday night red-eye / Sunday AM arrival. Is that the case or did I misunderstand something?

 

[chauncy19]

ScubaSteve,
I believe they are only stopping it for the "slow" times. I am going the 22nd and coming back on 30th of August. I believe that is the end of the Newark run till November. I am not a fan of short red eye flights but direct flight should be a winner for me. Having said that I actually live in New England. I am visiting my brother in NJ so thought I'd make the hop.
Thanks Liz for the info. I haven't been to Curacao yet but what you describe would fit me fine. I am not into night life and enjoy no street lights etc. Just like it use to be here on Cape Cod. Find light pollution annoying but that's progress. anyway thanks again--sounds like it will be a good fit for me but I am still hoping to get back to Bonaire too . Have to use up those free miles.

 

[FlamingoVilla]

ScubaSteve,
Thanks Liz for the info. I haven't been to Curacao yet but what you describe would fit me fine. I am not into night life and enjoy no street lights etc. Just like it use to be here on Cape Cod. Find light pollution annoying but that's progress. anyway thanks again--sounds like it will be a good fit for me but I am still hoping to get back to Bonaire too . Have to use up those free miles.

Chauncy,
I think that Curacao will be perfect for you. I am not much into the night life either. Would rather just hang with others, relaxing on a star-lit porch with a cold beer or glass of wine and recounting dive encounters. There are more shore dives to experience than you can ever get to in just one week. It will leave you wanting more! And skip Denny's for sure, yuck. I would not recommend that restaurant to anyone, ever
When is your trip planned? Where are you staying? Please give us a trip report.
Flamingo

 

[Damselfish]

There is a tremendous amount more shore diving on Bonaire, then Curacao, hence "diving freedom".

Perhaps there are more shore diving sites on Bonaire but I think calling it a "tremendous" amount more is misleading. There is plenty of shore diving on Curacao, possibly fewer sites overall than Bonaire but more variety in the sites. And probably more than most people will be able to cover on their vacation anyway. Granted, because of the topography of the island and layout of the roads it takes longer to get between a lot of dive sites. (Personally I consider that a fair tradeoff for the variety.) As far as "diving freedom", I believe that actually started as the catchphrase of Habitat on Bonaire? It's also used by Habitat on Curacao. Neither island has a monopoly on this.

You also have a greater independence when it comes to diving, restaurants, town, etc.

How so? I've never had anyone tell me when or where to dive on Curacao. Never had anyone tell me when or where to eat, and there's more (and IMO better) restaurants on Curacao. Independence when it comes to town, I'm not even sure what that means?

I have been to Curacao often and one time stayed at Habitat. It was very nice, but it took us 30-40 minutes to get to Denny's (breakfast/lunch), a casino and over 45 minutes to get to Punda, the shopping side of Wilemstad. Also, driving back to Westpunt (Habitat is there as well) at night is not fun, dark, little to no streetlights, and one again a long drive.

Curacao's a little bigger and there's places to go/stay that happen to be near the far ends. So depending where you are some things can be a longer drive. Or not. If someone wants to frequent casinos and Denny's (yuck) then it might make sense for them to stay closer to them. As far as dark drives at night, plenty of places are dark at night - that's what headlights are for!

 

[morecowbells]

Last year I tried planning a trip to Bonaire. Unfortunately, AA canceled that route and we booked Curacao instead. To be honest, I was not looking forward to that vacation at all. I kept hearing reports about the over fishing resulting in a lack of fish-especially adults. I kept low expectations towards the island and it's diving. Fortunately I was wrong. We had nothing but awsome diving experiences. I always anticipate on having at least one sucky dive during any dive trip. Each and every dive presented something new. We only shore dived 5 of the sites. This was because I was so pleased with the abundance of healthy coral and marine life(we saw 5 eels on ONE dive alone-this is more than I have seen during an entire vacation at any other destination) that I wanted to return to the sites. We found ourselves driving anywhere from 10-20 minutes to different dive sites. I didn't mind since it was part of our surface interval.

It is true that Westpunt is rather isolated and a good 40 min drive to Willemstead. After spending a day in town, I was so grateful to be away from the SOS(same old shops) geared towards cruise ships and the crowds.

I still want to visit Bonaire. It has the reputation as the Dive Mecca of the Carribean. I keep checking on Kayak.com and the cheapest airfares are at $900. I even e mailed Insel air and they qouted me an absurd rate. When I find an airfare that I can live with I will definitely book a Bonaire trip. Until then I will suffer with the compromise of diving in Curacao

 

[BonaireDan]

I just got airfare on CO from CMH - IAH - BON for $550 + taxes and fees ($612) for October coral spawning week. NO EWR flights at that time, only IAH.