Bonaire in January 1010

[cwdiver51]

My wife and I are visiting Bonaire for the month of January. Our first visit. We are staying at Divers paradise apartments across from the Black Durgan Inn. Has anybody used this accommodation or dive shop? I`m told groceries are very expensive.

 

[phelana]

Near Diver's Paradise is a Chinese Grocery in Hato. It is a great stop to get wine, beer and staples to get you started. Prices are fair. Cultimara is my Sunday 8 AM stop for fresh fruit and veggies and some dairy products. The bakery is ok and the butcher, well I find the meats not so fresh (I shop for my dogs for ground chicken). They have a nice cheese selection. On Monday hit Warehouse on Kaya Industria for great bakery, good cheese department, pre sliced deli meats and butcher area, ok veggies, great canned goods and staples. The Island Supplier is a good spot for hard liquor and other items. Progresso has cheap beer/Polar. La Portuguesa in Tera Cora has great fruit and veggies. Up past La Portuguesa you may find fresh fish at the brown house on the right, RIGHT before Sonrisa ballpark. Another fish stop is Dooi Diaz next to Richards Restaurant. Fish is about 15,00 ANG a kilo. I tend to look for fish around 3 PM.

At the Sand Dollar rotary (new rotary rules) Deepak has great wine at the Bonaire Gift Shop. Next door is a great shop DA for beauty and cosmetics. Antillean Wine Company has great wine and olive oils...across from Bonaco Gas on Kaya Industria.

 

[reefdiva]

Divers Paradise is not across the street from Black Durgon. It is about a 5 minute walk south. The apartments are very basic. Even though Divers Paradise is managed by the owner of Black Durgon you do not have to use BD for your dive shop. In fact, I would recommend that you consider a different shop such as Dive Friends because the tank location is not particularly convenient at Black Durgon. I stayed at DP before and after it was managed by Al of Black Durgon but no longer stay there as he is not great about customer service. We had several problems and he was either very slow to respond or non responsive. One problem included no linens for the first two nights of our stay, another was that our cooking fuel tank was empty and it took 2 days to get more. Folks in the next apartment had to wait out on the steps of BD for three hours before Al showed up and gave them their keys even though they had made arrangements ahead of time.

 

[chauncy19]

Have stayed at the black durgon 7 times. I am not gonna defend Al.
Yes you are free to get tanks from other operators. They may in fact be better for other reasons but the tanks at the black durgon are in a very convenient location. Not drive thru but if 5 feet away from your truck is inconvenient I guess I am confused by the word. If you use Nitrox other places are probably a better choice.

I don't find groceries to be expensive. The new chinese store referenced above is a great addition. Another great grocery store is "More for Less".
your going to have ask others how to get there. I know how to get there but not good on giving directions.
Eating out covers the range. You can certainly find places to eat that are good and affordable.
Bonaire talk website is a good place to go for suggestions.

A month visit sure makes me jealous! After a week you'll be an expert on the place!
I'd also suggest maybe once a week (maybe just once)have breakfast at the black durgon, its a good way to meet others staying at the Inn, get good info and also meet Doris. She cooks breakfast and does cleaning at the black dugon. If you need things like towels or linens she is the go to person at the Black Durgon. Not sure if she has anything to do with Diver's Paradise but she's a great person and it can't hurt asking her.
anyway ...

 

[cwdiver51]

Thanks so much! Lots of good information.

 

[cwdiver51]

Why do you suggest other places for nitrox?

 

[Papa_Bear]

Just got back and going again in Dec. I agree on the markets etc mentioned above all good reports. You can find pictures and a report at: Two Tanked Productions HD & SD Underwater Productions and video services
I do like the Hong market and they are very friendly! The Hill Top inn and Bar has a great cheese Burger!

 

[chauncy19]

Al gets his tanks from Habitat. He will I believe pick up nitrox tanks but at an added price. I think if Nitrox is important to you there are several dive shops that do a free nitrox upgrade. I doubt you'll find that at the black durgon but i am only guessing --email Al if its an issue. Wannadive is close by and I believe they do a free upgrade to Nitrox. Dive friends may as well. Again if this is an issue for you check in with dive shops--
I know of people who stayed at the Black Durgon and were using Nitrox so it can be done there.

 

[chauncy19]

okay you got me on that one. where is "The Hill Top inn and Bar..."
sounds like its at the Carib club.
anyway inquiring minds want to know

 

[Papa_Bear]

Ya, just before you get to Oil Slick! Great Cheese Burger!