Bonaire

[Natalie]

Trying to figure out if we should go to Bonaire for a family/ dive vacation.
Just started researching it.

I have found that most places have pkgs. with the diving and rental car
included. During their "value season" the rates seem real good. Two
questions:

Are the packages worth it or should I reserve everything separately?

Why is their "value season" so long (seems like April to December)?

Thanks!

Natalie

[Jmpngtiger]

1. Yes, it's worth it, go there.

2. We rented a car for the last day only, to use during the 24 hour "before
flying" period. The hotels are all close to the airport, so taxi fares are
low, and the hotels are within walking distance to town.
(and as it turns out, you can see the whole island on that last day--there's
only one main road, and the island is very small.)

We've stayed at the Divi Flamingo and the Plaza Resort. Of those two, I
recommend the Plaza Resort without hesitation.

Great dive staff, and the resort is very nice also.

jt


>Trying to figure out if we should go to Bonaire for a family/ dive vacation.
>Just started researching it.
>
>I have found that most places have pkgs. with the diving and rental car
>included. During their "value season" the rates seem real good. Two
>questions:
>
>Are the packages worth it or should I reserve everything separately?
>
>Why is their "value season" so long (seems like April to December)?
>
>Thanks!
>
>Natalie
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Mike H]

Just got back from a week in Bonaire on Sat. From what I saw,
it appears that a lot of the smaller (less expensive) have
some kind of tie-ins with the rental car outfits and the
dive/windsurf shops. We got our car and windsurfing package
through the 'resort' (KonTiki) for a lower price than we could
have gotten by going direct to the 'supplier' (by probably
about 10%).
High season is winter, when it's cold up north.. the rest of the
time is 'value season'.

Mike

Natalie wrote:

> Trying to figure out if we should go to Bonaire for a family/ dive vacation.
> Just started researching it.
>
> I have found that most places have pkgs. with the diving and rental car
> included. During their "value season" the rates seem real good. Two
> questions:
>
> Are the packages worth it or should I reserve everything separately?
>
> Why is their "value season" so long (seems like April to December)?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Natalie
>
>

[elliot]

Re diving, Bonaire is fine but my wife and I found Anthonys Key in
Roatan the best we have ever had. All inclusive great staff and world
class diving.
Granted we havent been to the south pacific

[janerene]

Looking to go to Bonaire in a couple weeks. Any feedback on the Divi
Flamingo would be appreciated. Also, what is the cost of food over there?
I read they don't grow any of their own food sources over there, so I'm
thinking restaurant eating is going to be pretty high. Jane

[Rog']

"janerene" <jane@dozierhome.com> wrote:
> Looking to go to Bonaire in a couple weeks. Any feedback
> on the Divi Flamingo would be appreciated. Also, what is the
> cost of food over there? I read they don't grow any of their
> own food sources over there, so I'm thinking restaurant eating
> is going to be pretty high.

This takes me back to 1999 when I went there in the middle of
a divorce! I gave my ex her tickets, I took mine and off I went
(she traded hers in). She'd always wanted to go to Bonaire,
and I was the one who went instead.

The Flamingo was a decent enuff place, okay but not deluxe.
It has a split personality with two distinctive sides: one newer
and one orignial wood-frame. If you're in the older, cheaper
side, you might want to upgrade. There is a small dive shop
operation in the newer side. Their open-air restaurant served
good food for a reasonable price, not outrageous.

The casino, when I went, was in a small, seedy room (comical).
Their snorkel tours were a good deal -- the woman doing them
took pity on me and we did a way-cool night-snorkel together!
Do rent a car/jeep for a day, drive around, and stop to snorkel
or dive at points along the way. Enjoy! =Roger=