By Tim Miller (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 1:44 pm: |
I know this topic has been discussed a great deal as I have read the threads on this website. I am concerned with crime and am seriously thinking about canceling a trip I have planned for two weeks in late November/early December. I have non-refundable business class plane tickets as well as a deposit I have made for a private villa. Is it really as bad as the previous posts make it out to be? It is not safe to stay in a secluded beachfront villa? I have also rented a Jeep Wrangler and was thinking about purchasing a locking gas cap as well and bringing it with me. I am pretty unsure about my planned trip and would really like some honest opinions. Thanks in advance for your help.
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By Lizard0924 (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #483) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 2:30 pm: |
Hi Tim - I just returned from two weeks on Bonaire (fifth trip) and have nothing but positive things to say about my experience.
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By Lloyd H (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #645) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 3:10 pm: |
Welcome to BT .
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By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #1092) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 3:35 pm: |
just to clarify the above post.. Lock house doors and window when out.. Lock car doors and window while in town with nothing of value in the car.. Keep your doors unlocked and windows DOWN at dive sites....and of course NOTHING that you value in the truck.....
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By Lloyd H (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #646) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 3:41 pm: |
Thanks Freddie , I am running on one cup of Coffee .
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3437) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 6:43 pm: |
Tim..Personally I have been to many many islands in the Caribbean. I have to say with the exception of Little Cayman (which about 10 years ago) Bonaire is the safest island we've ever been on.
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By Jennifer Gray (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, February 5, 2011 - 10:11 pm: |
We also just spent two weeks on Bonaire (our 5th visit) and had no issues whatsoever. As soon as we can, our 6th trip will be planned (which isn't soon enough ) Our first trip was 20 years ago and we have been taking our son since he was 2 1/2 years old who is now 15 and diving with us.
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By Jeff Kehnle (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #205) on Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 9:52 am: |
Hi, Tim -- I have to agree with all the other responses. We will make our 15th trip to Bonaire next week, and we have never felt unsafe or threatened. As in any situation, even at home, just be sensible.
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By Patricia Shapiro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 1:21 pm: |
We have travelled to a great many islands in the Caribbean and Bonaire is the one that we have found "the safest". Put your valuables like passports, etc. in a safe. Leave nothing of value in your rental car or truck. Lock your room door. My husband has a small mesh pouch he ties to his swimming trunks - in it, we put one credit card + the key to the truck.
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By Carl Neal (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 3:58 pm: |
We go to other islands and go to Bonaire every two years, We will be back in Bonaire in 2012. We were there in September. Before the last trip was a trip to Saba. This year will be a trip to Dominica. In time age will make us stop diving. But we will still go back to Bonaire.
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By Robert J. Patch (BonaireTalker - Post #67) on Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 6:08 pm: |
Tim-- I've been coming to Bonaire 29 years and never a hint of trouble. There are a few young men on the island who are on drugs, and they tend to steal to feed their habit, but for years there's been no rough stuff. The Bonaireans know who they are and where they hang out, so no one can get away with much on this small island. Also, with the Dutch now in charge, even that tiny bit of crime should decrease.
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By Tim Miller (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 6:58 pm: |
I really appreciate all of the comments. They were most helpful. I am going to leave my reservations in place and stop worrying about it. Thanks for being so helpful, I am really glad I stumbled upon this site.
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By Eric author of "Why is the Grass Green?" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1580) on Monday, February 7, 2011 - 3:31 pm: |
You will not be sorry. Just be smart about things (as listed above) and you will have a great time. The diving is amazing.
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By Jane (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Monday, February 7, 2011 - 3:33 pm: |
Tim -
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By Bill Perkins (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #311) on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - 4:39 am: |
I've been to Bonaire, stayed in numerous places, dived all over the island and never had a problem with crime. It's there. But there's a slim chance you'll encounter any. This is as clean and safe an island as you'll find.
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By wendy pohlmann (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - 11:54 pm: |
Going to Bonaire on Saturday - our 4th year - and we truly count down the days until the next trip. We have never had an issue with safety or theft - use common sense - if someone wants to steal our sandwiches from the truck - no big loss. Four more days till paradise...
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By Rose Checchio (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 10:29 pm: |
I have been going to Bonaire for over 2o years and my husband I just received our certification in November. We were diving by the salt mines and we locked our truck and they smashed the window and stole our camera and my pocketbook with $20 in it and all of my credit cards. As we were driving down the road I found my bag along side the road with all of my cards and drivers license I was so thankful, to the robbers It was a lessoned learned, I was always told not to lock the vehicle and to leave the windows down and I will never do it again. This incident wouldn't deter me from coming back to bonaire, I will never lock my doors or leave anything in my truck that is valuable. It is too beautiful of an island not to experience all that it has to offer.
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By DiveSergeant (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Friday, February 11, 2011 - 3:19 am: |
We'll be going to Bonaire in April 2012 for the first time and will take the normal precautions as outlined here, especially when diving the more remote areas. We've been thinking about Bonaire for quite a while and I've resisted due to the apparent acceptance of this petty crime as being tolerable.
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By Bill Perkins (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #312) on Friday, February 11, 2011 - 3:37 am: |
Great post. I would urge you to rent with Telerin. Poppy will get you a cell phone with the appropriate numbers in place. Makes me feel a bit safer in a remote place to know I can call and get a ride if someone removes the truck battery. But as I posted before, I've been to Bonaire 13 times without ever a problem.
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By DiveSergeant (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Friday, February 11, 2011 - 6:16 am: |
Hi Bill,
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By Freddie................someoneisawizeass (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15563) on Friday, February 11, 2011 - 7:03 am: |
DS
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By brenda (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1238) on Friday, February 11, 2011 - 9:38 am: |
Just as a note here, we were there Jan of this year (seems sooo long ago!), and I did notice a very visual presence of police out and about. In town, outta town, and at dive sites. Also the harbor police were seen daily, patrolling the waters.
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By DiveSergeant (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Friday, February 11, 2011 - 11:38 am: |
Thanks for the feedback Brenda. I'm heartened to see that there is a visible presence. A lot of the time that is all that is needed to move the hoodlums along.
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By Spencer Tanke (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Monday, March 7, 2011 - 3:32 pm: |
Tim,
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By Sarah Jane {Ess Jay} (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2543) on Monday, March 7, 2011 - 11:48 pm: |
Tim, happy to read you have not cancelled. I have been to Bonaire approx. 8 times during the past 10 years or so. We have stayed at both private villas and hotels - no trouble at all. Wherever you vacation in this world, it is always wise to use common sense... enjoy Bonaire, it is a beautiful island.
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By DiveSergeant (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 11:00 am: |
Hey Freddie,
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By Freddie................someoneisawizeass (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15648) on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 11:02 am: |
Yup a good lens makes all the difference.... have a safe trip.....
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