cmlong

Spending a week in Bonaire in November. Would love advice on hotels, beaches, snorkeling, but especially birdwatching. So far I've booked one place on the east side of the island for 3 nights (Sorobon Beach Resort) because it looked like the best beach, would like to stay on the west side the other 4 nights. Considering Bellafonte & Caribbean Club. Harbour Village too pricey. Recommendations?
Also interested in a beginner dive package.

PhillyBob1

I stayed at Bruce Bowkers Carib Inn quite a few years ago..but know people that have been there in the past year or so. It's a small dive resort (I think 8 rooms/suites ). Look it up on google..I think you'll like it..

JeanH

We've been to Bonaire twice. We like staying walking distance to Kralendijk, so we can have a few drinks with dinner and not have to worry about driving.

Both stays were in condo properties. If I was a diver, I'd consider Captain Don's, although it's a bit of a hike into town.

Divi Flamingo looked like a decent place to stay for a few nights as well.

shouldbewriting

Just home from two weeks in Bonaire. We rented a condo, but if you are interested in staying on a beach, consider the Plaza; think it should be less than Harbor Village. The snorkeling is very good right off their beach -- and beaches are rare in Bonaire. Unless you walk or kayak way out to the reef at Sorobon there is no snorkeling there, though watching the wind surfers can be fun.

They were teaching people to dive at the Plaza when we had our lattes there on the days we snorkeled 18 Palms.

Did see some great birds, but think best birding might be on a day trip through the big national park, Washington Slaagbai (sp?). You will have a wonderful time.

dogwalker86

Harbour Village is expensive but well worth it. The hotel staff is fabulous and really go out of their way for their guests. The rooms are very nice - we had one with a small kitchen so we ate breakfast every day in the room and most lunches as well, which offset the cost of the room. Also, the beach at HV is the nicest we saw on Bonaire. There's snorkeling and diving right off the beach and a boat that goes out twice a day for either snokelers or divers. The restaurant isn't that great food-wise, but it's right on the water. It's also not family oriented, so you get fewer screaming kids by the pool (which is always a big plus for us).