renting van rather than truck in Bonaire

[dvrliz1]

Hi guys!

I for six persons, you will probably get a van similar to the ones they use at Buddys (Belmar and Buddys are affiliated in some way, I think.) The vans are very European in style, not like an American van. They are about the same size as a "mini van", but are much narrower. I would stick with the 2 trucks, especially for the reasons Bonairetrip mentions. There have been many times when groups have stayed with us and to "conserve cash", went with one less truck. I have to say that 85% of the time, by the second day they requested the "extra" truck, for the majority of the reasons that Bonairetrip mentioned. Go with the 2 trucks, you will be much happier.

Liz

 

[handben]

As far as the cost, Bonairetrip, you wouldn't believe how this group agonized over differences of ten bucks or so in booking plane tickets. The group wants to economize any way we can.

I know that this has nothing to do with the OP question, but if the group is agonizing over the differences of 10 bucks or so you might consider bringing some food down with you. I've been 3 times to Bonaire and learned with my very first meal that it can be expensive. We paid around $60 (US) in town for 4 small lunches.

Now we bring down several packages of lunch meat, ham, pastrami, roast beef from Sam's. If you freeze it beforehand it'll make the journey just fine in a collapsible cooler. On trips 2 and 3 we did this and I figure we saved several hundred bucks as well as quite a bit of time. We made breakfast and lunch at the apartment (Belmar all 3 times) and would eat our evening meals out.

 

[Drewpy]

Two trucks without a dought!!

 

[Lorenzoid]

It seems that the van comes standard with the six-person suite dive-and-drive package. There's an upcharge for two trucks instead of the van of US$177.59. The six of us considered it and voted today for the two trucks. So, end of discussion, it seems.

 

[spectrum]

2 trucks for sure. I saw what Buddy and others in General had for vans and as Liz said they are small. 12 cylinders, 6 sets of gear and 6 divers, no way. Any cost difference will be a rounding error on the whole tab.

Besides with 6 divers the flexibility of 2 vehicles is bound to be handy.

Pete

 

[gert7to3]

Here's your van. You did the right thing, getting trucks.

 

[herman]

I have seen it done but I alway pay the extra (use to be $150) for a second truck. There is just not enough room in a van for 6 divers. Plus the extra truck gives you some flexability to go in different directions if you so choose. Averaged into the cost, the extra for a second truck is well worth the cost IMO.