Bonaire Recommendations on Place to Stay

[nhawrylyshyn]

Hi,

So airfare is booked for a week Jan 8-16. I've done my own research on trip advisor / etc. and was wondering where people favorite for purely diving in Bonaire.

I don't need all inclusive, shore diving only would be ideal (will buy an extra dive probably), close to a cert place (girlfriend needs to do checkout dives) and ability to cook own food would be great. Would rather it not be a hole, and just something that is of good value.

Any thoughts? My own research suggested Coral Paradaise.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[DeputyDan]

What is you budget per person and do you want to be on the water or not?
In Bonaire most packages include --> room/rental auto/dive package/ occasionally breakfast very seldom any other meal.

You can ala carte these items but you generally receive just as good of a deal to do the package rather than do it all yourself. Also, the boat dives are optional and you can opt for the shore diving only package (boat dives can always be added once you are on island)

Based on your answer to the above you will get good advice!

 

[oly5050user]

Taking the girl friend I would stay at a place that is on the water.Buddy Dive is on the water and their "stay,dive,drive" package includes 6 boat dives(if it your 1st time on island I would recommend it) unlimited shore dives,rental truck,buffet breakfast every day,free nitrox..
If you are on a bit smaller budget try Caribbean Club just north of Buddy dive..a bit less expensive,same package,but they are on a Hill overlooking water.Their "house reef" is a short drive down the hill ,takes all of 1 minute,called oil slick..These 2 resorts will pick you up at the airport.Both of these locations have very good security on the grounds, unlike some of the smaller rental properties.

 

[jl_va_21]

I was at Plaza Resort Bonaire in June. It seems to meet all your requirements. The rooms are nothing fancy (some even a little on the rundown side perhaps) but large and pretty comfortable. The dive shop was really good. The resort/shore diving packages are well priced.

It also has a little beach area and a good house reef (18th Palm).

 

[DiverVince]

Here's another tool for you to use. Check out this site which lists accommodations in accordance to their price structure. Rest assured Bonaire has accommodations to satisfy any price range, from the very spartan to the very opulent. It all comes down to your needs, what you want and how much you're willing to pay. Pick out 3 or four and then try to elicit specific responses from folks who have stayed there. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Info Bonaire - Hotels & Accommodations - Resorts, Condos, Inns, Apartments, Houses and other accommodations

 

[boat sju]

Golden Reef Inn. They have efficiency units so you can cook and dive and drive packages.

Golden Reef Inn Resort--Home

 

[oly5050user]

Golden Reef Inn. They have efficiency units so you can cook and dive and drive packages.

Golden Reef Inn Resort--Home

He is taking his girlfiend..Unless she like to rough it a bit I would not take her there..Not on the water,have to either go out or make breakfast everyday,no bar,the pool is about the size of a hot tub in someones back yard,security not the best.
Liz tries her best,and I credit her for that,but with a girl friend I would stay some place nicer
Good for bunch of guys used to rough it out and not spend any $.. By the time you rent a truck,buy breakfast everyday you come close-maybe within $200. or less- to what you would spend if you stayed somewhere nicer.
Stay at a resort on the water with a house reef and any time you wish to dive you just walk the 30 seconds to the dock,put on gear,fall in water.At GRI you have to load truck and drive,gets old fast.

 

[gypsyjim]

There are so many good choices. Buddy dive, Den Lamen, the Plaza are all on the water, and have instructors for the training. There are other options, but those three have worked well for us.

For a first time visitor, any of them would be a good choice. We often stay off resort these days, and book everything separately, but that is after many return trips, and having learned how to do things a la carte.

 

[Altamira]

We had a great time and good dive crews at The Habitat, also on the water. Food was very good and rooms were better than I expected. Has a pool and two docks.

 

[docBarbara]

We always rent an apartment from VRBO.com. We love to travel that way. Most of them are managed by a local company who will arrange a truck rental and a dive package. Works great for us.
Have a great time.
Barbara