We will be arriving in Bonaire at the end of February and we were wondering if we needed a car. We will be staying at the Dive Inn and have decided to purchase a package of six boat dives with unlimited shore dives. I thought we could maybe decide if we need a car when we get there but it seems like they get reserved quickly. Would it be difficult to maybe pick up rides once we get there, or maybe share a car with another couple?
If anyone has advice, it would be much appreciated!

It's nice to have a car, especially to take advantage of the unlimited shore dives. I'm sure you could hook up with some other people who have rented a car, but then you are at their whim as to where and when they go. If you're concerned about working within a budget, then just rent a car for 4 days and not for your entire trip. You really should get beyond the resort and explore...you'll be so glad you did, and it's worth the money you'll spend on the car. Have fun!

Jennifer, In my opinion, as you have an unlimited shore dive package you WILL need a car or a truck. Some of your best prices are for 4-door pickups (usually with a plastic bed cover) or a Suzi Mini-van. There is no shore diving in front of Dive Inn, their operation is downtown and overlooks the boat harbor. There are no designated dive site for a couple kilometeres.

I arrange for a pre-paid Budget hi-lux truck through my travel agent. I pick up the truck at their airport office and drop it off when I depart. Budget has lost reservations during a buzy period, so with a pre-paid voucher I was assured a vehicle and in one case given an upgrade. As to "picking up" rides, I would not plan on that. As Kate said, if you did you would be forced to dive their schedule. A vehicle also gives you the ability to tour Bonaire which is major plus.

Dive Inn has always been a really great operation, watch out for the parrots.. Flores is a sweety, Fuego BITES !!!

I think if you reserve a car and use it for a day
or two and then decide to return it, you can.
That way you can boat dive the first day and
then drive around and do a shore dive. By then
you will have feel for the system that suits you.
Many people, myself included, prefer to shore
dive because the boats go out at the least
interesting (for fish watching) times of day.
Experiment this first time to Bonaire. Bet you
come back!!!

And, I'll add (now that I'm on-line with my frustrating low-speed (19.2KBps) connection from my hotel room in NYC) that the end of February is traditionally a very busy time (U.S. school vacations happen then), and reserving a car ahead of time is highly recommended for then.

And for shore dives, you'll definitely want a vehicle of some sort.

Jake

Jennifer have you stayed at the Dive Inn before? I heard it in new...

Anyone have info or an emial contact for Netty's car rental? The Caribe Inn recommended it over AB.

info@nettyscarrental.com

To ask the question again...

Do you need a car to get around Bonaire? In Curacao we took busses (I think there's none in Bonaire at least according to the tour books, but tour books tend to forget that there are people who will take busses if they exist...), in Exuma we hitchhiked (actually, we walked and people offered us rides!).

Don't know where we're staying, not sure if we're going but we'll want to do a couple of dives but mostly snorkle at various places.

Do we need a car?

yes, i would highly recommend it...distances are not great and bicycles are available but not so good for hauling dive gear...you can rent one of those cute dive trucks for about 30-35 dollars a day...while you can do everything at any of the resorts you are not gonna really know bonaire unless you get out and explore...

Definitely agree -- get a car. Bonaire is fascinating and you'll miss too much if you don't have your own transportation.