Random, probably slightly stupid questions about Bonaire

[meagicano]

Hi All. I'm going to Bonaire with a group - but we're meeting up in Newark. They've had meetings and stuff, which I've missed, and the one I did attend really left a ton of questions. So I have some ridiculous questions and I hope that no one is too judgy. :/ We are staying at BonaireFun.

- Electricity: I've read somewhere that Bonaire is fine in terms of electricity, others suggest surge protectors & say I need converters. I have my camera battery charger (camera is an Olympus PEN E-PM1) and an iPad which I plan to bring. I'm North American. Bonaire experts, please distill this into an easy to understand, idiot proof recommendation.

- Security: again, I've read that Bonaire is full of petty thieving types and that nothing will be safe and others just say to watch out for your vehicle when you're at a dive site. Are there any special precautions I need to be taking with my passport, etc.? Usually I just leave it out of sight in a hotel. Ditto with the iPad. Or do I need to buy one of those locking mesh things that fit over a bag and then chain it to a pole (which seems like a HUGE overkill)?

- Bugs, pests, nasty things: the presentation I went to made it sound like bed bugs were inevitable & we were going to be full of pests by the time we got home. We were also told that Bonaire is overrun with sand fleas & mosquitos and that we should bring a lot of bug spray, long pants and socks that go over our ankles. True? False? Overexaggeration? Should I fill my luggage with bug spray?

- Money: I plan to bring $500 in US cash... we're there for two weeks. I will probably pay for my hotel with my visa, incurring the fees, because the other recommendation was paying for that in cash and I am really uncomfortable with the idea of carting around another $1000.

I'm usually not this anxious when I travel but the half-information, plus the random things I'm reading everywhere, is kind of stressing me out.

 

[texas23]

Electricity is fine, you can use your regular plugs but it does run a bit hotter there. So just don't leave things plugged in for extended periods of time.

I never had an issue with theft. As long as you keep your windows rolled down & nothing valuable in the vehicle while diving, there should be no issues.

Mosquitoes are pretty bad. I read somewhere else to bring deet as the regular sprays do not work. I only brought regular sprays and they seemed to work for me.

Check out www.bonairetalk.com. There is also a wealth of info on that site including answers to these questions from others and more. Have fun!

 

[tursiops]

I lead many trips to Bonaire. It surprises me that you can't get your questions answered by whoever is leading your trip. I hope you are not paying for their way there!

Electricity: the local system is a bit unreliable, with power surges. Some resorts produce or condition their power for guests. You should bring a surge protector.
Security: it is basically a safe island, with some occasional thieves. Kind of like home? Don't take more to a dive site than you need. Don't lock the truck. the place you are staying should ahve some way for you to protect your passport, extra cash. A safe, perhaps? Again, the resorts usually have this in a room.
Bugs: bring bug spray for the mosquitos. Long pants for evening meals outside. People differ in their needs....my wife is chewed, I am not. As for bed bugs, I would not stay in a resort that had them.
Money: find a VISA card that has no fees for foreign use. It will be accepted pretty much everywhere.
Read the Bonaire Insider, and InfoBonaire, and Bonaire Talk.
And do some boat dives to Klein Bonaire and the non-shore-accessible northern sites.
Have fun!

 

[drrich2]

Mosquitos by night or at some dive sites at night can be rough. During the day, the constant breeze helps keep them from being a bother.

I don't generally associate lots of sand fleas with Bonaire. People talk about them with Roatan, though.

From what I recall, U.S. power is 110 volt, 60 Hz, and Bonaire is 120 volt, 50 Hz, and as previously mentioned more prone to surges. Some electronic equipment is made for a range of conditions that covers that. I've used a 1'rst generation iPad with a surge suppressor on Bonaire without problems.

7 1-week trips & I don't think I've had bed bug problems there as yet.

You will learn the shore diving theft prevention technique:

1.) Take only what you'll take diving. The only things left in the truck while you dive are spare tanks.

2.) Leave your doors unlocked & window down so passing thieves can confirm there's nothing to steal without breaking a window.

3.) A plastic bottle of water (after you drink all the soda out of it) and some rough looking old rags to wipe your face with should be safe.

4.) A water-proof underwater case for truck keys, driver's license and some carry-around money is worth-while.

Theft of a truck battery or tire is not impossible but seems to be rare.

On Bonaire, people know that divers will be gone, and the truck unguarded, for around 40 - 60 minutes. Back home, do you leave money or valuable items laying out in plain sight in your front yard? Probably not. Same principle.

Have fun.

Richard.

 

[Jersey]

Electricty - some rooms have very limited # of outlets. I pack a surge protected power strip to charge multiple devices at one time.
Bugs - can be bad. Bed bugs? That's a new one. Mosquitoes, gnats, no-see-ums yes. And they like to hide in wet dive gear left to dry outside! Do pack strong DEET bug spray. As DrRich points out the winds during the day keep them at bay. At dusk when the winds die off the bugs come to dine on you. Spray feet and ankles well (even soles) and enjoy wearing shorts and flip flops.
Theft and security - I don't leave my passport out in my own home, I certainly wouldn't do it in any other country. Any valuables that fit are locked in the safe. The rest are stashed out of sight. Keep the truck windows down, unlocked, nothing you would miss terribly (towel, shorts, ratty t-shirt) and a bottle of water for post dive and you are good to go.
Keep some cash on hand, smaller establishments, road side grill trucks, fruit market things of that ilk don't take plastic.
Pack sunscreen - Bonaire is a bit south of Ontario and the sun is brutal, even out for a walk or drive. (They do make a product non-toxic to reefs available on island, check Dive Friends across from airport.)
Remember the water is safe to drink, stay well hydrated, throw a few bottles in truck when you are out and about ~ better to have it than need it!
Mostly - have fun! It truly is the easiest diving I've ever done.

 

[Gdog]

Looks like you have the answers to your questions. We stayed at Divehut, across the street, and owned by the same folks. Great people.
I dont know if $500 bucks for two weeks is enough, I guess that depends on how often you will eat out and where. Bonaire really isnt economy dining if you go out.
I charged my laptop, camera, kindle, ect, all on the electricity there with zero problem.
TAKE REPELLENT! And SUNCREEN!
Have fun!

---------- Post added December 31st, 2013 at 02:23 PM ----------

Here is a link to a relevent post from when I was preparing to hit Bonaire last March.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/443482-general-questions-first-timer-bonaire.html

Might glean some useful info there as well!

 

[meagicano]

Looks like you have the answers to your questions. We stayed at Divehut, across the street, and owned by the same folks. Great people.
I dont know if $500 bucks for two weeks is enough, I guess that depends on how often you will eat out and where. Bonaire really isnt economy dining if you go out.
I charged my laptop, camera, kindle, ect, all on the electricity there with zero problem.
TAKE REPELLENT! And SUNCREEN!
Have fun!

---------- Post added December 31st, 2013 at 02:23 PM ----------

Here is a link to a relevent post from when I was preparing to hit Bonaire last March.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/443482-general-questions-first-timer-bonaire.html

Might glean some useful info there as well!

Thanks for the post & thanks to everyone for the info. It looks like there are ATM's available, so I'm hoping $500 cash will be enough to tide me over until we get to the ATM. Maybe I will take out some money when I'm in Newark... I just hate carrying bundles of cash around. Or having it available.

We're basically paying our own way and paying the hotel directly, so the leaders aren't really getting anything for free. I would be pretty furious if we were paying for them because they threw all this really unattractive, anxiety producing information at us and then haven't really been forthcoming with additional questions. Initially they said to bring traveler's cheques for the hotel... then that kind of changed to, "well Roland and Irene don't really accept them..." to perhaps bringing cash... etc etc.

I usually travel alone, this is the first time I'm doing "group travel" where I'm relying on others to make arrangements... and as a type-A, formerly military girl the lack of information is kind of making me insane. I knew SB could help though!!!!

Also - LOL on the Bonaire being south of Ontario comment. I'm in Nova Scotia right now and we saw the sun today but it was the first time in well over a week. Winter has been brutal already, I'm dying to get away from giant snowbanks and ice.

 

[drrich2]

When I stayed at Dive Hut, I paid up front in cash. I didn't carry it around all week. Paying cash saved me some money. My bank debit card has a 3% international fee, and with ATM's 3% + $5. Find out what yours charges.

Richard.

 

[boat sju]

I stayed at the Dive Hut a few years ago and paid with travelers checks. Maybe their willingness to accept them has changed though. I decided then that I wouldn't use the travelers checks again anyway. I thought they were more hassle than they were worth. I prefer to do what Richard said above - pay up front with cash and be done with it.

 

[morecowbells]

In addition to the above information regarding items left in car while shore diving, I travel with nice flip-flops and cheapie rubber ones. Leave the nicer ones back in your room. When at the shore diving sites, spread items around. As females it is our nature to keep our items contained in one bag. Think like a man, be a slob spread your items in the cab and bed of the truck. It makes it less enticing and more time consuming for the thieves to actually have to look for the shoe mate etc.

Make photocopies of your passport, drivers license and (front/back) of credit cards. Keep the copies separate from your actual goods. Don't let that gentle night breeze trick you into sleeping with your windows open. That action alone seems to be the main attraction of thieves.