Tera Kora ok place to stay?

[PStrangerX]

From perusing the forums, I haven't seen anyone mention staying in this area. There is a group of 4 of us planning a Bonaire trip. We have a family friend offering to rent a 2 bedroom house to us for $700 for a week.

Just wondering if this area would be good. I see a lot of people recommend staying at a dive resort like Buddy Dive, but their prices were a little out of our price range. We're hoping that by staying at the house ($175 per person for the week) and then adding on equipment rental, car rental, and food will all end up being a lot cheaper than the resort.

 

[darook]

Looking at the images that come up when I Googled it I think it would be fine. It is certainly a convenient location to the grocery stores. If I stayed there I would get my truck and tanks from AB Carrental. It is right there and likely the least expensive option for air/Nitrox on the island. You will sacrifice some security from being in a resort. The island is safe but break ins do occur occasionally. It seems to happen more at the private homes people are renting than resorts as they don't have the same security.

 

[wwguy]

Tera Kora is a fairly quiet neighborhood just north of the airport, with the heart of the residential area being about a mile inland from the sea. The western side, near Kaya Industria (a fairly busy road) is mixed commercial and industrial use, while the eastern side is more residential. Like most Bonairean neighborhoods the residential areas are a mix of native and vacation homes, the quality of both which often vary depending on the income and priorities of the owners.

IMHO the $100/night price offered is a good value for a rental home, assuming the home is in good shape and located in a good area of the neighborhood. You'll probably have to trust your family friend for that information.

Dive Friends Bonaire's Port Bonaire location is located nearby, at the seaside just across the street from the airport entrance. This allows access to unlimited tanks for shore diving, as well as option for boat diving. DFB has seven locations on the island, all with reciprocal privileges at the others. I.e. you can pick up tanks at one location and exchange them later at another. Sometimes that can be very convenient when out and about shore diving during the day.

 

[diversteve]

I second the Dive Friends recommendation besides the shop mentioned they have a shop at Bari Reef - with boats afaik - and at Cliff slightly further north. Boats also at their Yellow Sub location in town, All their shops are drive up also for easy tank exchange.

AB Car is off airport so a little cheaper and will both pick you up and drop you off on departure.

Probably budget more for food and gas than you expect - it's all imported so expensive.

 

[boat sju]

I'm a big fan of AB car rental. Their dive op is relatively new but seemed organized. And there was always someone there to help us with tanks even though we didn't really ask for it. You'll probably be back around the house for lunch so getting more tanks shouldn't be an issue. The island isn't that big anyway.

 

[PStrangerX]

If we do book our air though AB Car Rental to get the discount on the car, do they also rent dive gear? Or maybe best to get car/air from AB Car and then BCD/Regulator from Dive Friends?

Thanks for the recommendations all!

 

[Kharon]

+1 for Dive Friends. You can't find a less expensive unlimited air option ($160/week with free nitrox if you're certified), no one that is more convienent (as posted above - 7 locations). One of the best dive sites on Bonaire is Cliff - right at their Hamlet Oasis shop. Try it at night - very easy navigation (follow the pipeline back) and you will be in the midst of a school of large tarpon. They follow you around and come so close -just a foot away at times. Very cool.

 

[boat sju]

If we do book our air though AB Car Rental to get the discount on the car, do they also rent dive gear? Or maybe best to get car/air from AB Car and then BCD/Regulator from Dive Friends?

AB rents gear now. They're a full service dive op. I suggested them for tanks because I thought it would consolidate things for you if you rent a truck from them. We've used multiple dive ops for tanks and they've all been fine. AB is the only one where we never had a bad o-ring though.