Going to Bonaire, need advice on hotels

[FLdiver]

I'm going to Bonaire end of April, and plan to stay maybe either at Buddy's or Sand Dollar (to save a little$$). I've already heard many good things about Buddy's, but what about Sand dollar (any good/bad experiences?). Any other hotel recommendation would be great too. Also, a good travel agent as well, thanks for the help.

FLdiver

 

[caymaniac]

Recent reports on this board have been that Buddy's is popular, Lions Dive, Cap't Dons and for the nicest and most expensive the Plaza (it has a small beach). Also mentioned is the Divi which often has a special, some don't seem to say they like it but we did and the price was right. Do a seach on this topic (Bonaire) and see what comes up. We were there last year and enjoyed our trip although the last time there was 14 years ago----what a change. Some of the shallow reef has been trashed due to a hurricane several years ago, but it is still good. We did rent a sailboat (cat) one day from the beach at the Plaza, wow we were really ripping in the breeze.
Bonaire is a begginers dream come true, and a great shore dive destination.
Have Fun,('')

Caymaniac

 

[DiverBuoy]

Here is a page of 62 posts on Bonaire ... have fun:

Bonaire on ScubaBoard

 

[herman]

I have stayed at both Buddy's(2000,01,02 and have res for july03) and SD(99). Either place is nice. SD was hit hard by hurricane Lenny in Oct 99 and was going down fast. Last year however, they finally built a new dock,dive shop(very nice) and an on the water rest is in the works. Andra has come back to run the dive op so it should be first rate. Carol (ex Buddy manager)has come on board as SD manager so the resort ops should be great as well. The main reason I use Buddy over SD or the other ops is I just like the "Drive and Dive" plan. It includes every thing that I need/want in one package-- Condo/airport xfer/truck/tanks/breakfast. I would suggest that you make sure you are compairing apples to apples when looking at the cost of a resort. You will want a vehicle while on Bonaire. Do a search on this board, there are lots of info. If you have not already, go to www.bonairetalk.com and search around there. Lots of good info and a lot of good people to answer any Bonaire question you may have.

I have had a lot of good sucess using Caradonna as my travel agent. http://www.caradonna.com/caradonna/ Tina at ext 116 has been great to work with.

 

[jbuchow]

My wife and I stayed at the Plaza this past November, and had a wonderful time. Toucan Diving (the dive operator located on the Plaza grounds) was very well run, never crowded, and had good dive masters. You should definitely rent a truck while on Bonaire -- it'll make your stay much more enjoyable.

Have fun!

 

[mchiapetto]

My wife and I stayed at Lion's Dive this last November. The hotel was adequate for the price. The dive op there is Bon Bini and I highly recommend them. They use virtually the same pier as Buddy's. Their boats were less crowded and the drive through tank station (for shore diving) was very efficient.

Lion's Dive is right between Buddy's and Capt Don's. It is very easy to walk to either to eat, dive, play, or just look around.

Wherever you go, you are sure to have a good time!

 

[TedJ]

My wife and I have stayed at the Plaza for the last three years over Labor Day week. It has been great. If you want you can get a one or two bedroom unit with kitchen and living room. Toucan Diving is a first-rate operation. I would highly recommend this combination.