Mid September in Bonaire or Curacao??
May 18th, 2010, 05:23 PM
#1
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Mid September in Bonaire or Curacao??
I understand Sept. is hurricane season and learned the best islands for that time of year is Bonaire or Curacao. Soooo, which do you suggest?
We like:
small boutique
hiking
choice between fancy restaurants and local hangouts
kayaking
walks on the beach
unique architecture
driving ourselves
music
We Do Not Like:
Big and fancy
diving
lots of tourists or lounging on the beach for hours.
Our budget for a hotel is $300.
Thank you for any suggestions!
We like:
small boutique
hiking
choice between fancy restaurants and local hangouts
kayaking
walks on the beach
unique architecture
driving ourselves
music
We Do Not Like:
Big and fancy
diving
lots of tourists or lounging on the beach for hours.
Our budget for a hotel is $300.
Thank you for any suggestions!
May 19th, 2010, 04:12 AM
#2
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Inpacted; Sept. is a windy month (20-30 mph) at times as is Oct. on Curaco and I cannot imagine it is much different on Bonaire being quite close though though both have avoided almost all but a few of the many hurricanes over the years.We have been to Curacao 3 times in the past 6 years but have not been to Bonaire since 2005. Based upon that you will find moreboutiques on curacao, more hikink but not a lot on Bonaire, better restaurants on on Curacao though dinners can run $50-75/couple, limited kayaking on Curacao, unique architecture on Curacao for sure, both have walking beaches but Bonaire may have longer ones. I cannot comment on music because we did not sty out past 9:30 because on Curacao we found very good snorkeling on the WEST END and we spent 3 hours 3 days out of every 6 night stay snorkeling. If you can get a studio unit at the Sea Aqararium Resort on the east end it will have a nook-like kitchen and we would have acasual breakfast there before setting out each day. The cost would be $150/night+/-. But to really get around you need a rental car. Good travels.
May 19th, 2010, 02:22 PM
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Haven't been to Bonaire, but went to Curacao last year. We stayed at the Lions Dive in a 2 bedroom apartment (free upgrade). Had a full kitchen with appliances/dishes, 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths with an ocean view. Free shuttle to the local supermarket. We enjoyed it. There are 3 resturants on site and a few more within walking distance. Also it's within walking distance to the Sea Aquarium.
We did find it a difficult to get around without a rental car. We booked several tours for sightseeing and took the local van/bus into town one day for shopping and lunch. It was too inconvenient to get to night life outside of the hotel and surrounding area without a car.
Beaches are small coves/inlets all over the Island. (mainly the West Side) There is not like a central walking beach. The sand is coral based, so you will need water shoes. We took a beach hopping tour in order to experience most of them.
Definitely rent a car, get a good map and have a lot of patience in order to get around and find what you are looking for.
We did find it a difficult to get around without a rental car. We booked several tours for sightseeing and took the local van/bus into town one day for shopping and lunch. It was too inconvenient to get to night life outside of the hotel and surrounding area without a car.
Beaches are small coves/inlets all over the Island. (mainly the West Side) There is not like a central walking beach. The sand is coral based, so you will need water shoes. We took a beach hopping tour in order to experience most of them.
Definitely rent a car, get a good map and have a lot of patience in order to get around and find what you are looking for.
May 19th, 2010, 06:54 PM
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Impacked; The winds would not heep me away if I could not delay my trip until early Nov. The rates at resorts would be the same and the island would be more social in Nov. but still quiter than in mid-Dec-March but then the rates go up 30-40% based upon which place you select. Though the weather systems are becoming so unpredictable you probable would be better off in the fist 2 weeks of Sept. but that is guess. the 3 times we weny were 2 in mid-Nov. and 1 time in mid-April. All 3 times staying at Royal Resorts Sea Aquarium Resort. It is small only 30 units but in excelleny condition (last visit in 2007) verycleab and pleasant staff. They aswell had a schuttle to a very large grcery 2-3 times a week. It is a hotel/time share but they run it like a hotel/resort. The restaurant was small and not very good but that always is based on the chef that is hired at the time. But at the Arches there are 5 resturants in the $50-$85 price range. I would avoibd having dinner at Ft. Nassau though a cocktail up there at sunset is quite nice. The Portofino the 2 times we tried it was less than acceptable but then again they had lousey kitcheb staffs-it's at the Marriott. To splurge The Observatory is tops but with an inexpensive wine it will be $130-$150 but it was consistently wonderful. Another good place, about $100 is La Rousse hidden away. TheSea Aquarium regulars know of it. It is run by a Swiss couple if he is the cheff but he was getting on in years but the food was great. A car rental by the week wit gas is probably $350. The drivers at crowded intersections drive like NYC cab drivers so be careful. A driver hit my rental one year and just took off. He probably did not have insurance.
