fishee

Neither are oceanfront but both seem rather reasonably priced. Any comments on location, etc? We will be biking to/from town all week.

Calexico studios: 700/week (all taxes + airport pickup)
http://casa-calexico.com/guesthouse/

Caribbean Court Condos: $882/week total (all taxes) more room and privacy
http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...promoType=none

fishee

Or Bamboo Bali: 934/week

http://www.bamboobalibonaire.com/accomms.html

BlueSwimmer

I haven't stayed at any of these, but if it was me, I would do Caribbean Court- some view, walk over to the beach at the Plaza (the beach you see in the photos on the listing) for tanning or snorkeling or drinks at the beach bar, nice private patio, full kitchen, room to spread out. The location is at the south end of town, so it is a short walk to the main part of town for restaurants. One drawback might be airplane noise. It is close to the airport but there aren't too many flights, although there is sometimes one that comes in around 4 am, I think. We have stayed down the road from this place in a house and it didn't bother us, but we live in a pretty noisy area at home. For me the space, view, and kitchen would make it a winner but then we like to cook on vacation and we LOOOVE having a patio with a view. I think this patio would give you the sunset view.

Calexico looks really cute, and you would have the hosts to give you tips and might meet other guests. It is in Nikiboko, sort of back in the neighborhood behind the main town so you would have more of a "local" experience. I think the beach they describe as within walking distance is not really a sandy beachy-beach where you would spend the day or go swimming- it is the town "beach" where local kids jump in the water but is right on the main town with a seawall all along it. The price is good and they have a pool, but no view. Also, it looks like just a fridge, not a full kitchen. We like to eat breakfast at home and make sandwiches to take with us on our diving/beach days and would prefer the kitchen. Depends on what your travel style is! From here you could stroll into town for dining, bars, watching the sunset from Karel's Bar out on the pier, etc.

The Bamboo place looks gorgeous and gets good reviews on Bonairetalk. It is not really walkable to town from there- it is across from the Sanddollar condos and just down from the big dive resorts (which you could walk to for bar/restaurants and dive shops; some of them have lovely ocean front restaurants.) It's farther north on the island from Kralendjik, so your attempt to have no car would be much harder there, but with a rental car, it would be a pretty good location.

Things to look for: AC in the bedroom (most places aren't fully airconditioned in Bonaire, just the bedrooms- it is hot but breezy.) Good screens on the windows if you can tell from photos- there are skeeters on the island. Warm water shower, if this is important to you. Most residents don't have water heaters- in the mornings, their water is cool and by evening it is warm- the pipes are right underground and heat up in the sun all day. We have stayed in a place with no hot water and it is very doable but sometimes makes shaving a challenge. Bonaire is so casual that we just don't worry about stubble!

fishee

thx so much for the feedback. I'm a bit torn between Bamboo Bali and Caribbean Court -- we'll have bikes at the very least which we'd like to use to go back and forth to town. We'll def cook a little if we do Caribbean Court - groceries are reasonable?

We may rent a car for a few nights to explore the island although we'd prefer to hire a local driver rather than pay Eurocar or Hertz.

WIll decide today, thanks again!

BlueSwimmer

Groceries are pretty reasonable, although it is an island so selection can be limited and prices are a little high but not insane.

There are a bunch of local car rental companies too- check BonaireTalk for recommendations.

Have a great trip!