Bonaire Groceries - Cost

[pdive]

This is what we spent for two people over 10 days last April-May. (I meant to post this last year when we got back. I just found the receipts cleaning up.)

ANG 631,59 or about USD 354.00

Thats about $18 per person per day.

Most of it was food but we did by some other supplies, like laundry detergent, bug spray, dish soap etc....

We shopped at Warehouse, Cultimara and Zhoung Kong

In addition we ate out only three times - Pizza one night (ANG 57,60), Richards another ($84.20) and one day we got toasties for lunch near Karparta (ANG 24,00). We made a couple trips for ice cream (ANG 12,00) , once to the bakery and once for coffee, (no receipts for those last two)

we put $26 worth of gas in the truck (ANG 1.58 per litre)

Sorry about mixing currencies. The conversion will give you something to do while you are bored at work

 

[DiveMaven]

Thanks for the breakdown. For meals, incidentals, grocery items, park tags, depature tax, and gas, we spent about $1000 for 2 weeks for 2 adults for the past 2 years. We eat in our condo for breakfast and most lunches, going out for dinner each night.

 

[SubMariner]

We have always stayed @ Buddy's, which means a kitchen. Often we will take down frozen meat packed in dry ice, since meat in Bonaire is fairly expensive. (Anything from cold cuts to chicken breasts or even steaks). Of course this works out even better when we have multiple couples in our group and each of us supplies something (protein, pasta, etc.),

That being said, we've always liked Cultimara for the variety they carry as well as their excellent bread/baked goods.

However, everyone needs to remember that as an island, Bonaire doesn't always have everything you might want: find out which day the supplies come in so that you can get the best pick.

Pax,

 

[RICHinNC]

Food costs there are the highest on any island I have visited.

 

[VinoBambinos]

Food costs there are the highest on any island I have visited.

We found grocery prices on recent trips to the Big Island, Maui, and Grand Cayman to be higher than what we paid on our last trip to Bonaire (12/09-01/10).

And even that pales in comparison to traveling in Europe were we normally budget $200.00+/day per couple for meals (most places don't have kitchens).

So we see Bonaire as a value destination...not to mention the low cost for great diving.

 

[SubMariner]

We found grocery prices on recent trips to the Big Island, Maui, and Grand Cayman to be higher than what we paid on our last trip to Bonaire (12/09-01/10).

And even that pales in comparison to traveling in Europe were we normally budget $200.00+/day per couple for meals (most places don't have kitchens).

So we see Bonaire as a value destination...not to mention the low cost for great diving.

Cayman prices are outrageous; their dollar is ALWAYS pegged higher than US currency.

Of course the flip-flop on the Euro from its inception means pricing is now always higher. However, the BP has come down somewhat. Still expensive, though.

Pricing in Oz isn't too bad, though.

 

[skynscuba]

I find the food on Bonaire, whether groceries or dining out, is about 15-20% higher than at home in California. Not so bad. On Barbados last year, groceries were 70%-80% higher than what I pay at home.

 

[DiveMaven]

I have to agree that grocery costs are similar in Bonaire as Maui (unless you go to Costco on Maui!). I'd also add that restaurant costs are similar in both places as well, though there are more cheap options on Maui....go figure, it's a bigger and more populated island with a much larger tourist base.

 

[gypsyjim]

We usually hit both Cultimara, and the warehouse near the gas station, and compare prices. Often they have slightly different selections, and prices. We save restaurants for special nights, and cook in the kitchen at whatever place we rent, and tho a bit costly compared to home we don't get too excited about paying a bit more on Bonaire for food. Realize it all has to be shipped in, and rather enjoy Bonaire being a bit pricy-er, and remain uncrowded, than have it over run, and the lower price "volume" chains move in!

 

[keithdiver]

We usually hit both Cultimara, and the warehouse near the gas station, and compare prices. Often they have slightly different selections, and prices. We save restaurants for special nights, and cook in the kitchen at whatever place we rent, and tho a bit costly compared to home we don't get too excited about paying a bit more on Bonaire for food. Realize it all has to be shipped in, and rather enjoy Bonaire being a bit pricy-er, and remain uncrowded, than have it over run, and the lower price "volume" chains move in!

I agree 100% Jim, i rather have the tranquilty of the island, then the overcrowded feeling!!