Bonaire Expensive?

[berick]

Hi,

I've read in a few posts here (and other places) where people claim Bonaire is expensive (food and gas). How expensive is food? Is it expensive by US standards or just by Caribbean standards? How does food cost compare to Cozumel (my frame of reference)?

My wife and I are considering a trip to Bonaire, and, since we don't really cook much at home, we probably aren't going to cook much on vacation.

Thanks

Bob

 

[AGF]

I'm from the UK and went to Aruba last year and found that it was certainly more expensive when compared to most of our Mediterranean and Canary Island haunts, but not sure how this compares with the US as I haven't been over there for many years. Our hotel chef was from Bonaire and he said the prices were about the same in Bonaire as Aruba - if not a little more expensive.

We were paying $5 for a small bottle of beer in most of the bars, and an average starter and main meal (and a couple of beers) for two, in an unpretentious restaurant, was around $80-100. In the Canary Islands we would expect to pay around $40-50 for the same thing!

 

[AEIOU]

I ate out every day for lunch and dinner in Bonaire. The food is no more expensive than if you were to eat out in the U.S. I ate at Casablanca's twice while I was there and paid about twenty bucks for a steak that was the size of a small cow. Beer was about 2-3 dollars. I usually spent around ten dollars including tip for lunch. If you are traveling with a large group I recommend splitting into small group of no more than four for meals. Groups any larger and the meal will take hours. Most of the restaurants are small. The meat and seafood I ate while there is some of the best I have ever had.

 

[herman]

Actually, food on Bonaire is about on par with Raleigh. You can get meals anywhere from $5pp to very expensive. As an example, a good sized hamburger and fries at the City Cafe on Bonaire (good place by the way) runs around 10Nfl (~$5.70 USD). The restaurant beside my LDS gets more than that for an equivilent burger plate. I know of a very nice place for breakfast that is $8 for an all you can eat buffet including made to order omlets, fresh fruit, coffee, and a lot of other stuff. No doubt you can get steak, lobster and a bunch of drinks and run up a pretty heafty bill, but that's anywhere. The resorts tend to be a bit more pricey but there are loads of great places to eat on Bonaire, I highly recommend the local "snacks". My typical Bonaire meals budget/pp is- Breakfast buffet $8/ lunch PBJ-$? not much/ Supper $20 . We don't eat fancy often or drink much.

Gas is expensive but with the small trucks and fairly short distances the total cost is not too bad. We do a fair amount of driving and our gas bill is in the $40 range. Split up between 4 people, the cost is trivial.

Even if the cost of food and gas is high, the cost per dive so much overshadows the other cost Bonaire works out to be fairly inexpensive.

If you don't insist on being on the water, I can recommend a nice small place for around $465pp (room/truck/unlimited shore diving). We stayed there in Dec and would go back in a minute. It's not fancy but it is clean,safe and a good deal.

 

[chuck e]

I ate out every day for lunch and dinner in Bonaire. The food is no more expensive than if you were to eat out in the U.S. I ate at Casablanca's twice while I was there and paid about twenty bucks for a steak that was the size of a small cow. Beer was about 2-3 dollars. I usually spent around ten dollars including tip for lunch. If you are traveling with a large group I recommend splitting into small group of no more than four for meals. Groups any larger and the meal will take hours. Most of the restaurants are small. The meat and seafood I ate while there is some of the best I have ever had.

I agree. Food is priced the same as US. Favorite places were Zeezicht for lunch and Richards, and Rendezvous for dinner. Favorite dish - catch of the day. When catch is wahoo, you're in heaven!

 

[berick]

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad to know its probably in the range I'm used to paying.

That's what I thought about Aruba a couple of years ago. My wife and I stayed at an AI, but, went out a few times. Food prices were comparable to US. Did go to El Gaucho's one nite which was expensive but worth every penny for the Argentinian beef.

 

[herman]

If you like grilled meat, go to Casa Blanca and get the mixed grill for 2. This thing is huge so do it early in the week so you have plenty of time to eat the left overs. It is around $38 USD and comes with 2 big plates of salad and potatoes and a tray of meat- 2 full chicken halfs, 2 good sized pieces of steak, 4 sauages, 2(4?) pork chops and (4?) 6 beef ribs. More than 2 people can possibly eat.
If you want good local food, look up a fellow named Gibi. He runs a restaurant of sorts in his house-it's almost like visting a friend....well after several trips it is visiting a friend. Great food and a super nice guy.

 

[RICHinNC]

i am still having dreams about that meal herman....man it was good.

 

[scubaaaronh]

Dont forget Bistro De Paris north of town or Bobby jeans bar b que. Good food good prices and Richards and Casablancas put my in heaven, Herman is right about City Cafe best burger i've had and cheaper than i get around home.

 

[Natasha]

I've been meaning to get to this thread. Now I'm finally here! Ha!

Seems Herman has done a perfect job as usual, explaining the prices on Bonaire.

I have always prepaid for breakfast at the Plaza Resort (76.00 for 7 days and includes a freshly made omelet bar)

Lunch is a quick sandwich of tuna or fruit and cheese. We always go out for a nice dinner. Still, the most dinner has ever been is 40.00 and that was lobster. You can get pasta or a fresh catch for much less.

I would compare it to most major US cities. Bonaire is not as cheap as Cozumel, but then the Caribbean is never as cheap as Mexico. Yet, I love them both.