Ines

Has anyone been to Bonaire? I've heard good things about it. Considering going in Aug. or Sept.. Any place anyone would recommend in particular? Thanks in advance for your help!

bobc

went there about 4 yrs ago. my sister and her husband owned a town house at the sand dollar(have sold it since then) <BR>absolutly one of the best vacations ever! very quiet and laid back.we dont dive,but the snorkeling was the best we've ever seen.the sand dollar was wonderful and its restaurant is the best "american" style on the island. if you go,make sure to go to the pink beach,take the driving tour of the national park(beautiful scenery and snorkeling},take in the area where flamingoes roost,and ,on sunday,go to the secluded beach where the locals party(sorry, cant remember the name). have fun and bon bimi!

dave and linda

<BR>Our absolute favorite place in the caribbean!

John

Bonaire is one of the ABC Dutch Antillies (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao). An interesting culture and history. Bonaire is quiet with excellent diving and snorkling. Aruba has the casinos and better night life. Curacao is a little bigger but also quieter than Aruba. <BR>I would not go to Bonaire if you are not a snorkler/diver. <BR>

Kim

<BR>Ines: <BR> <BR>Just got back 6/5/99 - recommend the Plaza Resort - it was wonderful especially if you dive. E-mail me, I'll be happy to go on and on....

Cheri

I agree with Kim. We went last year and stayed at the Plaza and it was very nice. Plaza has one of the better beaches on Bonaire. If you want long soft sand beaches, you will not find them in Bonaire. Most are small and have coarse sand. However, the snorkeling is unsurpassed. You can basically walk in the water anywhere and have great snorkeling. <BR>If you don't dive or snorkel there are a few sights to see. Just riding around the island is fun. Washington Slaagbaii Nat'l Park is interesting. Take the short course, take bottled water with you and go to the bathroom before you start out! The Marine Park is beautiful and well worth the trip up to see it. The flamingos, windmills, parrots, wild burros...lots of interesting things to see. We're going back again next year. Can't wait.

Ines

Thanks to all of you for your advice and help! It is making such as big difference. I have one more question if you don't mind. I am considering a package at Harbour Village - does anyone have any opinions on Harbour Village? Has anyone stayed there? We decided that we definitely wanted to be beachfront, since we won't be diving or snorkeling all the time, and we would have a great beach at either the Plaza or Harbour Village. I am still considering the Plaza Resort, which looks great too, but Harbour Village seems to be super-luxurious! (I know it's expensive!) Any stories or comments about H.V. are appreciated. <BR> <BR>OK - one last question. Where is a good place to relax and get drinks at night? I know the nightlife is pretty quiet on Bonaire, but we still would like to go out for a few drinks. <BR> <BR>Thank You so much for your help! This is such a great site - you guys have really helped me!

KIm

Ines: <BR> <BR>I've heard good things about Harbour Village but when we priced it out it was 3 TIMES as much as the Plaza. Believe me, the Plaza is very first rate. You could eat off the floors! They have a very nice strip of beach which is very quiet and two very nice restaurants. <BR> <BR>We went to the following places and all had good drinks and food: Richards (closed on Monday but open at 5:30-6:30 for happy hour the rest of the week and dinner is served beginning at 6:30, get there early to get a table right on the water and watch the sunset- food is spectacular-if you like surf and turf they have the best, the service was great too), The Green Parrot had great tropical drinks and excellent food (another one that you can sit right by the water and they take reservations if you want to ensure the table, you can drop bread into the water and see the most beautiful fish), the Blue Moon is not on the water but was really good (they give you the menu in a cute frame and your check comes in a little painted box !) we also went to Zeezicht (I think I spelled it wrong) again, excellent. We didn't have a bad meal, the seafood was great and we had good service everywhere we went. <BR> <BR>Make sure you see Pink Beach - the maps you can pick up at the hotel show you how to get there. It was deserted the days we went but the sand has a light pink color and is the consistentcy of powdered sugar - it was the most beautiful stretch of beach, a hidden treasure. My husband took his dive gear and did a shore dive with a friend and he said it was one of the best. <BR> <BR>Again, if you have more questions, e-mail me. <BR> <BR> <BR>

wmz

We stayed at the Plaza while in Bonaire. We liked it alot. Visited the Harbour Resort, it's very nice. Pricey, but well maintained. Beach is nice. Alot of Americans stay there. <BR>If I had to choose I would stay at the Plaza. It's close to the airport, pink beach, and Richards. It has a casino and good beach. Rooms are very large and the property is spotless. <BR>Go to Pink beach for the sunset's. Richard's is a good place also, just get there early to get a good table. <BR>We've been to 17 islands, so far, Bonaire is #1 with us. <BR>enjoy!!

Tom Troske

Ah, Bonaire. Been there. Loved it. Am a scuba diver and, Bonaire offers some of best shore diving (and certainly the most shore diving) around. Snorkeling is surely good as well... but treat yourself to a dive, it's an experience you'll never regret it's the most spectacular experience you'll ever have. Forest of coral "trees", canyons of coral you seemingly float over like a bird. Schools of fish that swim in unison, as though they are choreographed. Resort courses are available all over for about $80 probably and that includes equipment, a couple hours of instruction, and a guided dive to probably 35 feet for 30 minutes. Do it. It will be an experience you'll cherish the rest of your life. It's the closest thing to experiencing life on another planet. <BR> <BR>As for other things to do on Bonaire, well it's definitely not like Cancun or any of those better known places but then that's why I like it. I don't want to see high rises and fast food places and strips of hotels like Daytona Beach. <BR>hmmm, what else? Bonaire is desert-like, but picturesque. Oh, and you don't have to worry about hurricanes or even rainy days there.... it only receives about a foot of rain per year! <BR>I stayed at Sand Dollar, by the way. But those other places mentioned are nicer. Not that Sand Dollar wasn't nice. <BR> <BR>Have fun.