Honeymooners in Bonaire

[uncfnp]

It's probably just me but I do not find the traffic signs intuitive, especially the yield and one way signs. Here is a link to review before travel if you like.

Info Bonaire - Local Information, Services, and Resources About Bonaire

 

[T.C.]

It's probably just me but I do not find the traffic signs intuitive, especially the yield and one way signs. Here is a link to review before travel if you like.

Info Bonaire - Local Information, Services, and Resources About Bonaire

No offense...But I did find them easy to understand (but they use the same signs overseas...not that the locals there followed them)

One more thing for the OP while driving: Watch out for Donkeys! They can be as bad as deer here in the States!

The map on the link I provided last post has most of the roads on it. Most of the shore dive sites have yellow rocks to mark them. After 1,000 Steps (I think) the road becomes one way, and you have to loop through Rincon to get back to the main road.

 

[Drewpy]

Rose Inn and Antriol Catering are off the beaten path places for local food..the restaurant/bar at the wind surf place in Lac Cai had some good simple food that was very tasty. Maybe splurge one night at Mona Lisa?

 

[diversteve]

The "BBQ Place" is BobbeJan's - mostlyTakeout only. Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday afternoon only. Bobbejan BBQ You could probably walk there from the Divi. Scroll down slightly on the map - the Divi is marked. Another inexpensive option even closer is City Cafe: City Cafe Bonaire And Wattaburger: Wattaburger Bonaire fast food

Zee Zicht was relatively affordable also - at least for sandwiches - the kitchen is open to 11PM as well. Karel's Bar is overwater across the street. Owned by the same people. Zeezicht Bar and Restaurant

There's also Coconut Crash at the Plaza Resort - they do a Beach BBQ with music on Tuesdays? Coconut Crash Beach Bar Could probably walk there from the Divi - if not park in the Plaza employee lot and walk thru the north gate - it's on the right just after the road turns inland.

An expensive nice dinner once would be It Rains Fishes. It Rains Fishes | Bar & Restaurant, Bonaire Great food, good harbor views.

Service is slow at most places. Expect to have to ask for a check more than once also. It's because you're their guest and they want you to stay as long as you'd like so they don't want to seem rude by hurrying you. IDK if it's still the case but Donna/Giorgio's used to hire local teens as servers - some practicing their English on you - it's cute.

The Divi is on the main road just south of downtown. Continuing south the same road wraps around the lagoon and to the airport. And continues further south thru Belnem, directly past all the named south dive sites, the Salt Pier and eventually the Lighthouse. So it's really hard to get lost. To find any dive site - look for one of these:



btw, I recommend ^ doing this dive. Most counted species of fish in the Caribbean. It's off Sand Dollar/Den Laman Condos so you can dive with Bonaire Dive/Adventure or Dive Friends. I think BD&A has the rights to the pier now. They also have a Naturalist you can rent for a dive if you want to do a REEF fishcount there. My buddy counted 185 species in one dive with his help. My other recommendations are also here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ab...e-shore-dive-site-would-insert-drum-roll.html

Drive north from the Divi on the same road and you'll pass all the northern dive resorts, then continue on to the northern dive sites. Once you commit to Karpata, (there's a gate/sign) the road becomes one-way so you'll have to go from there thru Rincon and back south to town. Again just stay on the main road and it's hard to get lost. Rincon has some local hole in the wall places - if Rose Inn is still there, their bar qualifies. Worth the drive once.

You'll be told repeatedly, both here and by your truck rental people, but don't leave anything of value in the truck while shorediving. The de-facto vehicle is a 4dr. small truck, tanks can stay in the back, throw your gear loose on the backseat (wet is ok) and leave the doors open/windows down so the kids can rummage thru it after they see you submerge. Get some sort of comprehensive CDW - check with your CC company and also the rental agency you're using as they may have different ideas of what's covered by who. Or not. Gas is really expensive also...

You won't need to show a C-card once you clip your Marine Park tag to your BC. I carry $20, a credit card and my D/L in a Witz Case around my neck. I've been told that I could leave the D/L at home - in case of an accident you'd be allowed to return to your hotel to get it. But I never found out.

U.S. Dollars are now the official currency of Bonaire. Although I suspect that was just a formality, we used US$ in 2003. Most everybody is very friendly and speaks multiple languages. When someone honks as they pass, that means "Hi, I can't stop to talk now" - sometimes friends will in the middle of the road also - just go around them. It's about as low-stress as anywhere I've been.

 

[Doctorfish]

Mi Banana is a good cheap restaurant as well. Family style Colombian food. It qualifies as a hole in the wall as well. Karels in town on the wharf isn't cheap but is a great place to sit, have a few beers and watch the sun go down.

 

[diverjen]

It's probably just me but I do not find the traffic signs intuitive, especially the yield and one way signs. Here is a link to review before travel if you like.

Info Bonaire - Local Information, Services, and Resources About Bonaire

You will have a great time and Congrats! Everyone is hitting the highlights well. Our first time there you should have seen us trying to understand the road signs. We had rented from Poppy so the truck was waiting at the airport. I am pretty sure we stopped at a sign that actually meant no stopping, keep moving. The next best part was navigating to Sand Dollar (its not hard to get around by the way). My Husband was driving and I was looking at the map. He would call out the street signs to keep me oriented, but he kept saying we just passed Kaya street, which street are we looking for.... every street is Kaya. This is funny because all the street signs start with Kaya, it means street....., followed by the actual name of the street.

 

[Heatheroe]

Our first time there you should have seen us trying to understand the road signs. We had rented from Poppy so the truck was waiting at the airport. I am pretty sure we stopped at a sign that actually meant no stopping, keep moving. The next best part was navigating to Sand Dollar (its not hard to get around by the way). My Husband was driving and I was looking at the map. He would call out the street signs to keep me oriented, but he kept saying we just passed Kaya street, which street are we looking for.... every street is Kaya. This is funny because all the street signs start with Kaya, it means street....., followed by the actual name of the street.

We did the same thing! I'd suggest looking at google earth beforehand rather than the road maps the car rental places give you. It's not that hard to get around but the first couple times through town can be stressful! Study the street signs before you go for sure.

 

[wwguy]

That's funny about the Dutch road signs and Papiamentu street names. Whenever we drive over a speed bump here in the U.S. my wife and I always smile at each other and say "Let op! Drempels!"

 

[gbf]

There used to be a sign on the road between the airport and the first traffic circle that said "Overstekende ezels". My daughter liked it so much she took a picture of it and made a poster for her room out of it.

 

[lmorin]

That's funny about the Dutch road signs and Papiamentu street names. Whenever we drive over a speed bump here in the U.S. my wife and I always smile at each other and say "Let op! Drempels!"

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I love the drempels signs, too!