first time Bonaire travelers

[jf3193]

Everyone. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter so far. Its given us alot to research!

 

[DeputyDan]

Look at Sand Dollar condos, vrbo, great location, easy shore dive entry, dive shop on property, many dive shop locations, full kitchen . This is our go to place. Been 4 times and looking forward to our next trip. Bill

This is solid advice!

 

[lmorin]

Did someone answer this? At the more remote sites, there are often fewer vehicles. Occasionally, you may arrive at a site to find you are the only one, but more often than not when you return from the dive you will see another car or two or three has pulled in. Being a nerd, I would say expect an average of 2-1/2 cars at any given site at any given time. The divers of some or all of them may be in the water while you're gearing up (or down) and you may or may not see them.

Bottom line: Don't count on there being enough vehicle and diver traffic to scare the thieves. I recall parking at one of the Andrea sites, where we were the second or third vehicle there, and noting that the side window of the vehicle next to where we parked was smashed and glass was on the ground. Looking inside, we could see that some things had been left in the vehicle, including what looked like a cheap backpack (now turned inside out), and they had apparently locked the doors, contrary to all the advice given to vehicle renters. Don't be like those people.

Lorenzoid may very well be correct about the average number of vehicles, but the exact number depends a lot on which dive site, time of day and time of year. We have seen as many as 21 trucks at Hilma Hooker on a Monday AM in February. On Saturday PM, the only folks typically diving that site are those who are staying another few days or more. Everything is less crowded during the summer. There may be nobody at the Hooker. It is not uncommon to park your truck at a site south of Salt Pier and not see a person or truck despite being able to see quite a ways north and south. When we were novices, it was a bit eerie to go to a site in the summer, dive and disappear knowing nobody knew where we were.

 

[morecowbells]

Many of the above posters have been to Bonaire way more than myself. I have visited the island three times. The first two times we rented a condo through VRBO. We stayed just north of town, near the Yellow Submarine dive shop. During our last visit in Feb, we stayed at Delfins Beach Resort in the Belnem neighborhood. I was pleased with all three locations. As a first time visitor to Bonaire, I would lean towards the rentals near the Yellow Submarine dive shop. 1) The shore dive seems to be off the radar for many people, but is amazingly good. 2) House reef is a short swim out. 3) There is no need to deal with parking your truck/break ins since dive shop has storage. 4) The walk into town is convenient and short, no need to drive . The downside is the road which sits between your unit and the ocean. Granted it is a one way road and not busy at night. I am a light sleeper and did not have any issues. The areas near Buddy Dive, Hamlet and in the Belnem area do not have the road between the resort and ocean. The dive site at the Hamlet Oasis is one of my favorites. I would definitely stay on one of their units, but it is also further from town. During our last visit, we had to get some gear serviced by Bruce Bowker. His shop is located at the Carib Inn. It looked like a great set up. I may look into this place for next vacation.

 

[gbf]

Carib Inn can be a tough ticket. Lotta long-time repeat customers.

We stayed there one year and really enjoyed it. Had one of the interior rooms for us and the 1-bedroom apartment on the top floor for the kids.

We tried a couple more times thereafter and availability for our times never matched up.

 

[AdivingBel]

We're Beachcomber Villa folks on the water at Hamlet. We stayed there with Tim & Leanne and now with Walther & Nicole. Nice folks & nice place. Love "dive freedom." Going to be there in the Fall.

 

[agd]

If you like your own rental apartment, in addition to VRBO or Homeaway, you can check with the local agencies: Bonaire Comfort Rentals, Paradise Rentals and Sunbelt, for example, who manage a selection of places.

 

[kristen8416]

I’l just throw out there the Courtyard Marriott. We stayed there last November and it was great. We’ll be there again in two weeks. Newer and clean with dive friends right on site. They have a pool and restaurant on site not that we used them. It’s pretty affordable at $95-$105/night.

Hoping this link will work. There’s a pic of my husband walking towards the hotel and some of our favorite places.
Bonaire pics

Let me know if you can view this. If not I’ll just delete it.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

I viewed it just fine! Nice pics and nice choices for food...

 

[bcaderunr]

I viewed it just fine! Nice pics and nice choices for food...

And where did you get the Shrimp Pizza and Onion rings? Looks delicious!