Our vacation began with the Continental redeye out of Newark airport. Coincidentally, our drive to the airport sent us through the Holland tunnel. The flight was on-time and smooth. Upon arriving in Bonaire, we exited the plane and waited in a very long and slow moving line to get our passports stamped. After that, we all waited for what seemed like an eternity to have our luggage taken off the plane and brought to us. Then we waited in an equally slow and equally unpleasant line for our Budget rental car. In all, we spent 4 hours in the plane and then we spend 4 hours at the Bonaire airport. This was very hard for us because of the long flight. Next time I will be sure not to rent my car through Budget because their lines are way too long and slow moving, they didn’t have the car we reserved, and they charged us for a scratch that we did not put on the car. They offered us a “free upgrade” to a king-cab pickup truck, but we didn’t feel comfortable driving such a big car and we were forced to take the free downgrade to a Yaris. The Yaris was a very nice car, but we had paid for a RAV4 and they refused to charge us any less. So in short, our rental car experience was bad, but the trip would soon get much better.

We drove the very short drive to the Bellafonte hotel. WOW! The place was spectacular with amazing water views. The staff there was really nice and very helpful. When we arrived at 6AM, they even let us take a nap in another room until our room was ready.

Then we went grocery shopping. Our favorite store was Warehouse. It seemed to be the most modern and well stocked place on the island, but it wasn’t open when we arrived on a Sunday.

The snorkeling right outside of Bellafonte was great. There is even a coral reef off to the left of the dock. There was a barracuda that liked to hang out under the dock though so we would always swim away from the dock as soon as possible.

We had some great dinners. Our favorites, food-wise, were Cactus Blue and Plazita Limena. The seared tuna at Cactus Blue was out of this world. Plazita Limena was also a fantastic meal. We also had dinner one night on the dock-table at Richard’s. The food was great and the dock-table experience was fantastic! The wine was great, the service was great, and Richard is a wonderful guy. We generally ate lunch on our private deck at the Bellafonte, however, one day we went to eat at Mi Banana, a small Columbian place frequented by locals. We loved it!

We also went to some other restaurants that were so-so. One night we went to a Mexican restaurant that is talked about on this board from time to time, but whose name I will not mention. We love Mexican food, but didn’t like this place at all. The food seemed to us to be something between a Chilies and a Taco Bell, but closer to the latter.

The snorkeling was fantastic! We arranged for some snorkel tours with Renee. She was great. She took us to all the best places and showed us all the best sea life. If you are planning a snorkel trip to Bonaire, you should definitely try to take her tours. That way you can make the most out of your trip and see things that you would never have otherwise seen.

We also did the mangrove forest kayaking trip. It was very nice, and worth doing once.

We also went to the Washington Slagbaai National Park Bonaire. If you like the idea of a 4 hour off-roading adventure with some breathtaking sights then this should be on your list of things to do. For us in our Yaris, the rocky dirt roads felt long, boring and jostling. Half way through we wanted out of that place and we were forced to complete the long trip around as there was no quick route of escape. We left wondering why there wasn’t some sort of sign that warned that the roads were rough and that the park may not be appropriate for small cars.

We went to the donkey sanctuary and definitely enjoyed it. The donkeys come right up to your car and compete with each other to stick their heads into your open windows. Bring some apples for the donkeys, but not so much to feed the donkeys with, but to through it out your window to get the donkeys to get out of your way when you are finally ready to leave.

The trip home was smooth, another good flight. You should know that you have to pay an approximately $30 fee per person to be allowed to leave the island. It was my feeling that such a tax should have been added to the ticket price as they do at U.S. airports. That way the fee is disclosed BEFORE you buy the tickets. Obviously the fee was not enough to make us not want to go to Bonaire in the first place, but the fact is you are allowed to buy the ticket and enter Bonaire without knowing about the tax and then you are told that you would not be allowed to return home unless you paid the fee. It seemed like a shakedown, albeit a minor shakedown. Again, the tax should be added to the price of the plane ticket. I’ve been to many foreign countries over the years and never once remember having to pay a shakedown fee in order to be allowed to leave.

So that’s pretty much our first trip. We will definitely be back!

Sounds like you had a great trip with the exception of the rental car issues. I'm surprised the park officials let you in with the Yaris; I was told they won't let anyone in unless they have a vehicle with enough clearance for the rough roads (i.e. a truck).

Ya, if only I had got my RAV4 like I had reserved...

Great report! Thanks for sharing.

Joseph..Great report & glad you enjoyed yourself.
Yes, I can certainly understand being miffed when you reserve a certain vehicle & it's not there when you arrive. Same thing happened to me last Feb with another car rental company & they wanted to "upgrade" me which I would not do. Simply put, I wanted the car I specifically reserved. I eventually got it several days later. You just have to be persistent.
I also agree that the departure tax should be buried in the price of the ticket. This is just plain common sense & I really don't know why the Gov doesn't do it.
Perhaps others have an explanation on the rationale for the current practice.

Joseph
Assuming your return was on Continental, what time did you get to the airport for your return flight and how were the lines. We are trying that flight in June for the first time.

I have not yet flown directly from the US to Bonaire (Feb 2008!), but when we flew from Curacao (Continental non-stop to Newark) this past February we did not pay departure tax, as it was included in the ticket price. (also, DiviDivi includes the Bonaire departure tax in their fares) Very odd that the same airline handles it differently for the same government.

Can anybody in the know explain this?

I am guessing there must be some local rule for Bonaire specefically. We flew to Aruba and St Martin in 2006 (US Air) and it was included in the ticket price.

It will be interresting at the airport if they ever try to collect the room and rental car taxes as they had planned to. Especially for family groups that could turn into big amounts of money. They may even want cash?

Brian, we went to the airport at 4AM for our 6AM flight. There was a line at Budget to return our car and that took maybe 30 minutes but after that the line to check in with Continental and the security check were very quick. We had plenty of time. You just want to make sure your rental car company will be open at 4AM to take your car and you then want to leave enough time to get though that line.

Actually, there are a lot of islands/countries that have a departure tax. Usually it is not included in the plane ticket but some tour companies add it.

In all my trips to Bon I've never had to spend 4 hrs at the airport..that is unusual.

But you're complaining about the long 4 hr flight Joseph?? Try coming to Bon from Los Angeles! It usually takes me overnight or two days! I have to fly to either, Dallas, Miami(sometimes I have to stay overnight) or Puerto Rico first, then maybe Curacao and then Bon.

I always say, you must REALLY want to go to Bon if you live on the west coast, cause it sure ain't easy to get there from here!

How much is the departure tax? We are going by way of Orlando, San Juan then Bonaire. Bonaire, San Juan, Orlando back. If that makes any difference...?...

Pegi Sue, the departure tax is $32 per person payable at the flamingo airport...

We went to the window right by the sidewalk in front of the airport to pay our departure tax, the week before we left. Then you won't have to worry about that line.

Marge,
We did the same thing, it made getting out that much easier (one less line to wait in)

truly it is a great tip to pay for the departure tax a few days before you actually depart. Saves a lot of time and loads of frustrations

It is very unusual to spend that much time at the airport upon arrival. For the past 2 years we have done the Continental direct from Houston (although we live in Florida and therefore a flying backwards to do it) we would prefer that to doing American Eagle out of San Juan. We have had drastic problems with that - crew late because they "couldn't be found" (huh) to luggage left behind due to an overweight plane. We fly Tampa to Houston (1-3/4 hrs), then spend some time in the Delta/Continental club until the departure at 11:30pm, go to sleep and wake up in Bonaire when we land at 5am. Customs is quick, bags a bit slower but not much then on to AB Car Rentals (the only one we've ever used over the past years (since 1996). We were probably over to Sorobon by 6:30am, dropped off our luggage and went back to City Cafe for breakfast then the grocery stores (Warehouse & TIS). Back on the beach probably around 11ish.

As far as the departure tax, this was increased this past year, but they make it easier because you can buy it anytime you are on the island and can use credit card (have your passport with you to use credit card). Any remember not to loose your receipt.

For departure we arrived at the airport around 5:20am for a 7:30am flight and were just about 10th in line (just before a huge bus load of people arrived). Checking in was painless, security equally so. Had a long wait once we got through that's better than being rushed. Had a coffee (don't buy bottled water to take on board - they don't allow it even after you've passed through security). Also a bit of a hassle was having them randomly check bags once you've cleared security but before you get on the plane. That held up the boarding a bit and really for no reason. If you buy duty free liquors in the boarding area you can't take these onboard with you either - not sure what they did?

None of these "issues" would keep me from returning to Bonaire. We love it too much.

If you are staying at Sorobon, does it really matter if they loose your luggage?

Pegi Sue. Which is the airline you use from Orlando and what time does in go to and from Bonaire? thanks Carey