Be careful in Bonaire (Burglaries)

[messedup]

I wanted to post one more lesson learned. If you do have a phone stolen that has unpassword access to your email it is important to get all your email passwords changed. You don't want a thief to have access to all your financial statements vie email on your phone. This will leave you open to a 2nd crime of identity theft.

 

[Waterskier1]

I am curious of the room break ins, how many were "forced" entry. This is, windows or doors smashed to get in. Or, were the windows/doors left open? Were the rooms occupied? In thefts of rooms that I have read about, most were not force-able entry. Either the door or windows were left open, or, entry appeared to be by key. It's not clear how someone got the key, unless it was someone on staff.

Regarding Travelers checks, I had no problem cashing mine at the bank just north of the roundabout, south of Buddy's. I can tell you that the grocery stores will not accept them, but I didn't try anywhere else....just went straight to the bank. I didn't case huge amounts at one time, so I don't know if there is a limit or not, but cashing a $100 was no problem. They did ask to see my passport and asked where I was staying.

I know that travel is down everywhere with the economy the way it is, but on four trips to Bonaire last year, going down there was NEVER an empty seat on Continental, and only one or two on a couple return trips. I was quite surprised how they managed to pack the plans. I can't speak for Delta, Insel, or others. From the resort managers I've spoken with, things have really picked up this year. Most are either completely full, or only have a room or two left for March. I can't speak to the big resorts, but this is true of the smaller ones.

 

[DandyDon]

DD, Do you know who is liable for counterfeit traveler checks? I wonder if it still would have saved me $300.

I don't understand the question. You would have real ones from your bank, but difficulties using them I think. Banks also offer travelers debit cards and the island seems to have many ATMs. Best to not take a bank card with direct access to you account.

The red-eye flight from Houston to there is wide open this Friday. Plenty of room.

 

[fireflock]

DD, Do you know who is liable for counterfeit traveler checks? I wonder if it still would have saved me $300.

The problem with Travelers Cheques is that so many places won't take them anymore due to the number of counterfeits. You can buy them, and you can bring them, but you might not find a place to spend them.

The ubiquity of ATMs has replaced the Travelers Cheque as a way to limit your $ loss. Pay for the big items (by credit card) before you leave the US and visit the ATM every 2 days or so for spending money.

 

[DiverVince]

I know that travel is down everywhere with the economy the way it is, but on four trips to Bonaire last year, going down there was NEVER an empty seat on Continental, and only one or two on a couple return trips. I was quite surprised how they managed to pack the plans. I can't speak for Delta, Insel, or others. From the resort managers I've spoken with, things have really picked up this year. Most are either completely full, or only have a room or two left for March. I can't speak to the big resorts, but this is true of the smaller ones.

Waterskier..You are quite correct! In fact to set the record straight..
Continental Airlines and Delta have both recently added additional airlift from North America to Bonaire for the remaining portion of the high season and a portion of the summer season.

Effective February 12, 2010 until April 2, 2010, Continental will operate a second Newark flight on Saturdays (EWR-BON-EWR) in addition to their normal weekly rotation. Continental flight #1553 will depart Newark at 11:55 PM and arrive on Bonaire the next morning at 5:22 AM. Continental flight #1556 will then depart Bonaire at 7:00 AM.

Continental will also operate a third Houston flight on Mondays effective March 7, 2010 until March 29, 2010. Continental flight #1898 will depart Houston at 11:30 PM and arrive on Bonaire the following morning at 6:00 AM. Continental flight #1899 will then depart Bonaire at 8:30 AM.

Effective February 13 through August 14, Delta will upgrade the 757 (with 183 seats) currently operated on the Bonaire route to a 767 with 262 seats, providing extra capacity each week.

So when all is said and done, everyone on this board can draw their own conclusions.
The airlines do know what they are doing in terms of filling their planes. Bonaire is indubitably one of the (if not THE) top dive destination in the entire Caribbean.

 

[DiverVince]

And as an addendum to the above...Insel air has just announced lower fares from Miami to Bonaire.
Effective immediately, Insel Air has a special airfare promotion for its Miami-Bonaire route. Now through Saturday, June 19, 2010, there’s a special round-trip fare Miami-Bonaire-Miami of only $280.00 per person. Get it while the goings are good!

 

[clafrieda]

You mentioned that you believe none had night security... I take it that none of them were compound units (like at Buddy Dive or the Plaza)? Were they all smaller rental complexes?

I would assume that places like Buddy Dive and Capt Don's would be harder to burglarize. I didn't hear of any problems there. For example, I believe that Capt. Don's has a security guard there all night. I would feel more comfortable staying there. On the other hand, Capt. Don's is a little inconvenient for doing your own shore dives. You'd have to take all your gear down to the docks to wash it at the end of the day (that is where their lockers are).

Do you think some of the decline on Bonaire can be due to the economy as well?

I believe that the economy is by and large the main reason for the decline in tourism. Unfortunately, the resulting drop in Bonaire's economy is a catalyst for a rise in crime.

 

[messedup]

I usually travelled with extra cash and left in the room safe in case my wallet got stolen and therefore my visa and atm card. The point of the cash was a backup to the visa or atm card. Having no access to money can be a security situation in itself. A better option would have been to separate the visa and ATM. Carry only the visa or only the ATM card and leave the other in the room. Travelers Cheques would have been another option as a backup. I like DD's idea of a travelers debit card. I will have to look into that. Didn't know they existed.

 

[DandyDon]

Bonaire is indubitably one of the (if not THE) top dive destination in the entire Caribbean.

I'll drink to that. So, what are the chances of getting the property owners to finance a better police force and/or private guard company? I'm sure the only way to get better police approved as a tax paid expense would be to make it a rental/hotel tax, or a voluntary association for a guard company with a right to advertise that the propery participates in that program.

Or at the end of the day are you too happy with business to do anything more than typing...?

 

[DiverVince]

I'll drink to that. So, what are the chances of getting the property owners to finance a better police force and/or private guard company? I'm sure the only way to get better police approved as a tax paid expense would be to make it a rental/hotel tax, or a voluntary association for a guard company with a right to advertise that the propery participates in that program.

Or at the end of the day are you too happy with business to do anything more than typing...?

DD..There are many private homes & associations on Bonaire who indeed pay for private security. Spend some time on the island and investigate it yourself. You may want to check out this website..
Bonaire Security Force

And at "the end of the day" yes, I am happy with business and I also pay the Bonaire government a bundle in income/property and hotel occupancy taxes. In other words, I put my money where my mouth is.

However as has been stated ad nauseum on these threads; property owners (especially foreign property owners) we can only do so much.
The Dutch criminal laws are more lenient and different than those in the U.S.