Hi everybody

We're arriving in Bonaire on Thur the 1st Jan, and in our quest to find the cheapest, skankiest roof in Bonaire to dry our bones for the little time we're not underwater, my mother in law found this:

Casa Atman - $50 all-in for a studio as advertised on www.casaatman.com). It sounded awesome, but read on...
After a brief email exchange, the manager offered me a "special deal" in Euros with an alleged 7% discount for a 2-week stay - which, on closer inspection on xe.com, worked out @ $120 more than the FULL rate advertised on their website... ?!?!?
When I wrote I wasn't interested in a transaction in Euro and pointed out the huge price discrepancy, she jacked up the price to $55 pn and reduced the discount, bringing up some vague excuse that the utilities rates are skyrocketing on Bonaire and she has to keep the price in line accordingly...

My naive side tells me to attribute it to genuine human error, but the savvy side says it's looking shady from the start - so I looked them up online on tripadvisor, and found several reviews - spanning from tales of pure horror to very pleasant.

Has anyone had any experience with them recently? Are they still under the same management as a couple of years ago?
I don't mind sharing a cheap bed with a roach, but I don't particularly fancy the idea of people walking in on me or letting themselves in while I'm out...

Re-reading it, this could sound a bit arsey for a second post, and I surely don't wanna be the obnoxious tourist who always has something to bi*ch about, but I do have to be careful with my tight traveller budget.
I've never been before, so I wonder, is this sudden inflation of prices just a common practice on Bonaire that I should accept and get used to, or could it be a sign to look elsewhere?

My gut instinct is telling me to spend a few extra bucks and go somewhere else, even closer to the dive shops (Casa Atman is on Kaya Yuma 1).
Would it be realistic to expect to find something resembling a bed around the $50 mark or under for double occupancy, or am I just a cheapass and am better off going back to diving in Asia? :P

Love
--
Iena

Sorry, I have not stayed at the place you reference so I can offer no direct comment.

In the end, I guess that it all depends on your budget and your preference for location and amenities. You will be staying for two weeks and are two to a room?

Several observations:
a) The room taxes for two are about $12/night (I can't recall whether it is $5.50 pp per night or $6.50 ppp per night.)
b) Utility rate increases are a very real thing on the island. Some places now charge an airco fee.
c) Many room rates seem to have increased in recent years.
d) Given that you will not have a car, location might be more important than it otherwise would be. The closer I am to the water, the more I dive.
e) Given the context of the total trip price, sometimes spending more for a room might save you money (i.e., avoid renting a car, avoiding boat dives, eat in your room, etc.). And sometimes it just busts the budget.
f) While I consider Bonaire to be a very solid value, I don't think it is geared towards the hostel type traveller.

So, what to do?
As a base, assume $55/nt including taxes. About $770 for two weeks.

At the more luxury end (of low cost) would be something like the Carib Inn -- $110/nt plus taxes. Very clean, fridge and micro, pool, on the water. Do shore diving mostly off the dock and walk to town. Eat in the room and take some snacks in your luggage. Walk to Jokes, Vz fruit vendors, and/or Bonaire Warehouse and eat food from the EU. That is $1708 -- almost $950 more. But if you could split that two ways and avoid a rental car and avoid eating out...

Next might be a place like Caribbean Club -- around $1200 for the lodging/tax. Still gets you a pool but well out of town. Close to Oil Slick Leap and a few other sites. Brutal walk up a hill after the dive but...only $400 above your benchmark.

Next might be a place like Coco Palm Garden. Pool and a reasonable walk to Bachelor Beach. $924 for two weeks with tax - only $150 above your benchmark. But a/c would add at least $140 to the price. And it is well out of town (Playa).

Or a place like Wannadive huts would be about the same price but include a/c.

Hi Iena. Why don't you start by checking out some of the budget accommodations listed on this site.
Good luck to you & enjoy your trip.

http://www.infobonaire.com/hotelbudget.html

LOL, Vince, I was about to post that link. The one's on that list that have good reports are:

Coco Palm Gardens (a couple of blocks from the sea, a long walk in gear if you ask me, but then you all know me...lol)

Hotel Rochaline (I do remember folks saying good things about it for the price, and it's right in town)

Bonaire Townhomes (great recommendations, not on the water)

Caribbean Club (not close to town)

Happy Holiday Homes (not close to town)

Wannadive Hut - you may hook up with divers here

Yacht Club Apts

Black Durgon Inn, on the sea, great house reef

Blue Divers

The only one of the above that is close, or on the sea would be Black Durgon, Carib Inn, or Blue Divers. The rest would be a two or more block walk.

Also try www.bonairelodging.com

Oh, on the increase due to power/electricity. Power is VERY expensive on Bonaire, so I don't think that they were being shady....could be a real possibility.

I stay at Tropicana Apartments when I'm on solo tech diving training missions to Bonaire. One bedroom apartment is $80.00 or so per night. The owners are great and the apartments are good to go IMO so I highly recommend to those on a budget.

I do have to say that if I read your post right you coming to Bonaire tomorrow...Thursday January 1st. I would say good luck finding something that is empty but I could be wrong. Don't ditch your digs until you find new ones.

if i read the original post right and u go on web sight the prices are right there and seem to make sense. prices were in print and matched up. i might have missed read so can someone confirm.
es

After looking at the web site, it looks like you will be quite happy with casa attman. I'd be interested to hear back from you after you stay there.

You probably won't be sharing a room with a roach, but there may be a few skeeters and a pair of gummy-lizards out hunting the the skeeters. (geckos...)

OK, normally I just like to lurk and read the comments of others. But I must say this has to be the best one I've read on this entire site. I wish I could meet the OP, he/she has got to be quite a character. (Check out the profile) I'm still smiling over the image of sharing a bed with a roach and being just fine...as long as no one walks in to witness it. Classic.

I hope you have a great stay on the island. PLEASE post a trip report when you get back. I am quite keen for some more of your insights on Bonaire. Ben