Bicycling in Bonaire?

[Ron G.]

We just rented bikes during our diving week in Cozumel. Simple one-speed cruisers.

We'd do a couple morning dives, then explore around town in the afternoon. That's enough diving for my wife and we got to know the area a bit.

We're now thinking of doing the same at captain don's. It looks like a short bike ride to town, but town looks like you could bike every street in about half an hour.

I know some folks rent mountain bikes there and ride some trails, but we aren't that adventurous.

Would we be disappointed if we rented bikes cause there really isn't much to explore?

Ron

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

David goes to the Extreme Mountain Bike Race in Bonaire.
Me, I rented a bicycle and rode around the entire island. I stopped and had ice cream, stopped (again) for a cold soda, and stopped (again) for a snack on my route.
For a shorter ride, you could make the trek out to Lac Bay, watch the windsurfers and have lunch or pack a lunch and bike to just to the lighthouse.

 

[redacted]

Everything you might want to see in town can be better seen walking.

I can't imagine doing Bonaire and not doing PM dives. We always get a drive and dive package and do 4 dives a day. We have yet to do a boat dive. That package gives you lots of diving freedom - where, when, and how long you want. Plus the vehicle is needed to go food shopping and the occasional out to eat. There are a couple of small market within walking distance (one north and one south) of Capt Don's but the 3 markets in town are much better stocked. The market in town has the best bread and pastry selection but the new market south of town is very nice and has the best overall selection.

The house reef at Capt Dons is quite good especially if you go north to the Cliff.

Enjoy

 

[diversteve]

I'd agree - if I were to bike to downtown I'd probably park it somewhere and walk around. It's really only several blocks long or wide and other than the shops or stopping for food along the waterfront IDK what else would be of interest. Cruise season starts up again next week also - they moor downtown at Town Pier. http://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-kralendijk-bonaire.html

You could ride the other way to Karpata then go inland to Rincon and back to town on the other road. It's mostly going to be bushes, trees and cactus - probably some goats, donkeys and iguanas also. It's also a dirt road starting a little past Don's and IIRC there's a small climb in one area. So you might want to rent mountain bikes. I think from Rincon you'd somewhat coast down back to town and it's paved?

The ride south to Lac Bay or the Salt Pier/Slave Huts/Lighthouse would all be paved. Traffic likely wouldn't be a problem in the afternoon - you may be the only ones in the area. I'm fairly certain you can bike thru the Donkey Sanctuary also - it's on the way to Lac Bay. Take a phone for emergencies - except for Salt Pier and Lac Bay, once you leave Belnem it's pretty isolated.

IDK if you've seen this: Info Bonaire - Cycling Maps of Bonaire

The house reef at Capt Dons is quite good especially if you go north to the Cliff.

+1...also Bari Reef just south of there - easy entry and the most counted fish species in the Caribbean. Even snorkeling there is good.

 

[ronski101]

I would be too afraid to ride a bike on those narrow roads full of tourists in unfamiliar vehicles looking at a map while they drive. once out of the populated areas it might be nice......hot but nice.