VRBO questions

[jjach]

My wife and I are thinking about taking our first trip to Bonaire this year. I have been doing my research here on scuba board and also various websites. But of coarse the more I research the more questions I have and the more confused I get myself. I started looking into vacation rentals by owner, I have read that you can save quite a bit of money going this route. But then how would I go about getting set up with a truck and a dive package. I really do not want to waste our first day running around trying to make all these arrangements. Since this will be our first time on the island, would it be smarter to just book a complete package somewhere the has all the diving and truck already included?

Thanks in advance (more questions to follow)

 

[bgdiver1]

look @ Info Bonaire - The Bonaire Information Site - The Most Current and Up-To-Date Information they have info on rental cars and dive operators. Also Bonairetalk.com . you can book seperately or you can go to: www.[B]happyholidayhomes[/B].com, she will have the apartment , set you up with a budget car rental, and diving. (CLEAN, apartment with kitchen) -or- Andy can set you up on a package he is at www.bonairepros.com
Good luck and Dive safe.

Brian

 

[DiverVince]

But then how would I go about getting set up with a truck and a dive package. I really do not want to waste our first day running around trying to make all these arrangements. Since this will be our first time on the island, would it be smarter to just book a complete package somewhere the has all the diving and truck already included?

Thanks in advance (more questions to follow)

Well a lot of folks (myself included) work with local agents who can handle everything for you. Diving, rental cars/trucks, first morning supplies for food, 24 hr phone emergency nber in case of a problem etc etc. The world is your oyster!

 

[akirawut]

My wife and I are thinking about taking our first trip to Bonaire this year. I have been doing my research here on scuba board and also various websites. But of coarse the more I research the more questions I have and the more confused I get myself. I started looking into vacation rentals by owner, I have read that you can save quite a bit of money going this route. But then how would I go about getting set up with a truck and a dive package. I really do not want to waste our first day running around trying to make all these arrangements. Since this will be our first time on the island, would it be smarter to just book a complete package somewhere the has all the diving and truck already included?

Thanks in advance (more questions to follow)

It's very easy to book the truck and the diving. Find the dive operator you like, give them your dates. My experience has been that they don't need a deposit or anything, but they want the dates for planning/staffing etc. My preference is Bonaire Dive and Adventure. Everyone has a favorite, and most are pretty good.

Same for the car rental, although some of them will want a deposit. I recommend Telerin. They are great, no deposit, car is waiting at the airport, sign and drive. Leave it parked in the lot with the keys in it when you leave. No one has ever given Telerin a bad review.

Some links you might find
Marcolva Henriquez (Poppy)
Cell: 599-9-5163001 (24Hrs)
Cell: 599-7886401
PIN: 20D44BFA
Telerin Car Rental
telerin@bonairelive.com

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[lmorin]

I am a Bonaire condo owner who lists on VRBO.COM. I am not allowed to put dive packages together for my renters. That said, here is what my wife and I do when going to Bonaire. I arrange the condo dates (which I have to do despite owning), then I contact the truck rental by filling in a form on the truck rental website and that is it. In our case, we dive with Bonaire Dive and Adventure which is about 50 yds from our condo. Upon arrival, we check in with them and fill out the necessary papers. That's all there is to it. If you would like additional services such as classes or something else that must be scheduled, you can conduct all communications via email. It is very simple. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

 

[diveallthetime]

We have rented a home in Santa Barbara that comes with its own truck. We used VRBO and dealt directly with the owners. They provide the dual cab truck (less than one year old) so with that we had our place to stay and the truck in one easy stop. Then I just booked a shore dive package with Buddy Dive on line and we are all set. Very little work to do. This is also a lot cheaper for the six of us than any other way we have stayed on Bonaire before. The house is huge 2700 sq.ft so plenty of room for all of us.

P.M. me and I can give you more information if you like. We will be on island 3-30 to 4-8

 

[billmosel]

All of the above is very good information. I have done VRBO for the past 3 years and doing the "ala carte" and have never been happier. You should first find where you want to stay, find the rental truck you're comfortable with (Teleran, Total, Budget, AB) and the dive op you want. Its all online. Just google it and you should find everything you want. Everyone is going to come up with their favorites, so here are mine. I like Sand Dollar for accommodations. Teleran for truck rental and for your dive op, depending on where you are staying, either BDA if your staying in the north or buddy/belmar if your staying in the south.
Good luck with your research and remember... You will be on Bonaire...Diving. It can't get much better!!

 

[bcaderunr]

If it's just the two of you and you're there for only a week (especially for the first time), my advice would be to book a package at one of the resorts like Buddy Dive. I doubt you'd be saving any $$$ by going the VRBO route for just a week. If you had more people or were there for a longer stay --that's when the VRBO route becomes more rational and cost effective.

As an example, Buddy has a $797/pp shore diver package in a deluxe room which includes the truck, nitrox and breakfast. That's $1600.

On your own, it's gonna be $350/week for a truck with insurance plus another $150/pp for unlimited tanks. Total=$650. So, unless you get a comparable VRBO place for $950/week it just isn't worth the trouble. Plus you won't have to do as much grocery shopping.

 

[South4Scuba]

My wife and I went to Bonaire for the first time last October and we thoroughly enjoyed having everything set up for us. I plan to go back again this year and we'll likely do the resort package again. It's just so much easier to have the diving, truck, food and room all bundled.

We got an all-inclusive package at Plaza Resort that included food, unlimited drinks, room, diving and a truck. It was a very enjoyable week. I think we paid about $1500 per person.

You can get out of the resort and do a lot of shore diving just the same as renting a house or apartment. We booked 11 boat dives and did a few shore dives just to get feel of it.

The Plaza Resort is on the beach with a great view and has pretty decent food.

 

[kydivegirl]

The dive staff at the Divi are excellent! I have dove with them on 7 trips and HIGHLY recommend them!