This trip report might be helpful to first-time visitors and those who will snorkel only, and, to give some context, we are old retired folks with modest snorkeling experience.

We found Bonaire to be relaxing, friendly, a lot of fun, and not too expensive. We used Bonaire Talk to get recommendations about accommodations, dining, and snorkeling locations and were not disappointed. For our first three days, beginning Sunday, Nov. 7, there was an unusual wind reversal and we found it a challenge to find many calm snorkeling sites, but once the wind returned to its usual east-to-west habit, we were busy all day at various sites.

We stayed at Coral Paradise in an upstairs apartment. Their website depicts their amenities accurately. We appreciated the complete kitchen, large balcony (patio on ground floor), clean pool (usually deserted), safe and close parking area, personable proprietors and staff, strong wi-fi signal in all rooms, and easy access to the shore. We arranged car rental through them which involved a free taxi from the airport and a car waiting at the apartment on arrival. We considered this a modestly priced place to stay and will definitely choose it again.

We bought/downloaded a helpful e-guide specifically for Bonaire snorkeling, discussed on this forum in this thread and found it to be accurate and helpful. On this trip we tried Karpata, Cliff, Bari Reef, a couple of sites on the shore road in town (south of the Yellow Submarine Dive pier and opposite house #40—don’t know if they have official site names), Divi Flamingo’s reef, the Plaza Resort’s reef, Margate Bay, Red Beryl, Red Slave, and two parts of the Lac Cai area. Of these, the ones closest to town were overall better for ease of entry and diversity of ocean life but they were all worthwhile. We went to several sites on Klein Bonaire on the Woodwind with the appealing and talented Dee and her crew. It was well worth the money and was fun in every way. We did a guided snorkel with Renee who found us things like upside-down jellyfish, lobsters and shrimp, and the villainous lionfish. Both of these excursions were arranged online in advance and will be repeated on future trips.

We were pleased to find so many good places to eat dinner. Typically we found ourselves almost alone when we arrived at each restaurant since we like to eat around 6:00, but most places get busy at 7:00 or so, at least at this season. Listed in order, best first, are the places we tried and the dishes we can recommend:

*****La Plazita Limena, Peruvian, nice open-air pavilion at back; shrimp soup, stewed pumpkin, Peruvian paella, lamb stew
****El Fogon Latina, Columbian, best food for lowest $$; mixed grill with chorizo, pork chop with creole sauce, tostados (green banana), many locals arriving for take-out
****Unbelievable, lovely rooftop seating; signature fish dish with fresh fruit salsa, blackened fish with sweet chili dipping sauce
****Bistro de Paris, quirky but appealing décor, beautiful presentation and large servings; tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and brie, rack of lamb, slightly more expensive than other nice places but still not too much
***Paradise Moon, nice harbor location, tasty but unexceptional bar meals like a U.S. chain eatery
***Pasa Bon Pizza, pizza parlor with personality. How can you pass up a fish pizza (kind of like fish tacos) described on the menu as “almost famous?”

We carried DEET wipes and used them when necessary. We were never bitten in restaurants or any other places, although some kind of insect was bothersome at the southern snorkeling sites opposite the salt ponds. Many posts have described slow or indifferent service at various restaurants, but we didn’t experience that. Of course, we weren’t in a hurry, either.

We brought along some favorite foods for breakfast and lunch/snacks including crackers, cookies, granola, dried fruit, apples, instant breakfast packets, ground coffee, iced tea mix, and cheese. We bought milk, butter, bread, yogurt, beer, and juice. The grocery store Cultimara seemed to us to have a better selection than other places we stopped. We liked bread from a little store in the same strip as Lovers ice cream and Chat ‘n’ Browse, and stopped for ice cream too much!

We have been home only a few days and are already trying to figure out when to return and try to replicate this wonderful vacation.

Well done Pasty (I will ask about the name at some point)
Glad you had a good time.

Patsy..Now you know why so many of us continue to return time after time after time!

patsy so glad u enjoyed ur trip.

jerry my dad's name was patsy (italian)

Patsy's is a rather famous Italian restaurant on 56th street in New York where Sinatra and the musicians in his band would frequently dine. For Italian cuisine on Bonaire though, I'd recommend Capriccios.

Very nice report, Patsy. Very descriptive, shame about the lost time due to the wind reversal. Now if you want 5 stars for your trip report we need pictures lots of pictures .