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Getting around Bonaire: Why is it so expensive...
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2007- 2008: Archives - 2007-06-01 to 2008-12-31: Why is it so expensive...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bartek Jankowski (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 6:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

hi everyone,

we're a family of three and we're coming to Bonaire for three weeks in January. As we'll be staying in Santa Barbara, we'll need a car to move around the island, particularly that we want to snorkel in as many places as possible. I've started searching for the best car rental offer and must say that I'm disappointed with results. We're Polish and from our point of view renting a car on Bonaire is very expensive, comparing to european prices. For example, when we go to Crete, for Kia Picanto or similar we pay approx. 220 Euros for two weeks incl. all taxes and insurances (for three weeks it would be approx. 330 Euros). The same car on Bonaire costs approx. twice as much or even more :-(
What are your experiences in this area? Do you think it's possible to get a car for lower price?
How about "stay and drive" packages. Where could we get the best offer for such package? I've found such offers in couple of places but they were still too expensive for us.

I'll be grateful for your help.
Best regards, Bartek
www.tropikey.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3360) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 9:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I suggest you go back on line and search again...many companies have very attractive rates. Try the larger brand names and you may find a better rate..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ****Boat Chick**** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6654) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 11:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow, Michael, can you give names? I've never found it cheaper than 340 a week or so...big or small. In fact, Netti had the best rates, but now that she's gone, I haven't found one that has one as cheap as hers was...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RA. no more, no less (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3029) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 11:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I ma not affiliated with Budget rental in any way.

2 weeks ago I rented a Terios from Budget for 10 days and it cost me $285.00 total. Check them out.


 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beth (BonaireTalker - Post #57) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 1:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have you tried emailing the car rental agencies and asking for a rate for a 3 week stay. We go to Bonaire for a month in FEB and we have always been able to negotiate a better rate than what is listed on the web sites.

Another tip is to use the quote function on infobonaire....you can enter your information and get a quote from up to 6 rental agencies.

and finally are you renting your house through an agency like Sun Rentals or Sun Belt reality? They can also get you a better rate.

I have found that everything is negotiable on Bonaire....especially when you are staying for longer than a week.

For this FEB we are paying $850 for 31 days, (truck with a/c and radio) including tax and w/o the CDW.

Good Luck

(Message edited by bethy on September 5, 2008)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bartek Jankowski (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 1:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

thank you all for replies!

it's true that I base on internet rates, but I'm aware that it's possible to negotiate. However, internet rates seem to be so high, that it might be hard to get better rate, particularly in high season. I asked Total Rent a Car and they answered that no discount was possible. I also asked Telerin about the rate (according to many Bonaire Talkers they are the cheapest) but haven't received any answer yet.

Thank you Beth for your tips. they might be very useful. I'll try the quotation which you mentioned. It sounds interesting. and the rate you got for February is really good one. May I ask, were did you negotiate it?

Best regards, Bartek
www.tropikey.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beth (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 2:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I thought the internet rates were very high as well, especially for an extended stay. I got the best price from Island Car Rental, AB Car Rental gave me the next best price....and I also got a nice price from Bencho (not sure of spelling) and they offered to throw in (2) child seats for free.

Last year we got a great price from Budget, but this year they were not really willing to negotiate and kept replying that their best price was on the internet and then after 3 emails, they finally gave us a discount but it was pretty small...so we went with another vendor.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RA. no more, no less (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3033) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 2:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I also wanted to mention that there is a new rental agency called Tropical Holland.(again, I am not affiliated with them) They have some very cool vehicles, full size Jeeps and even a new Jaguar! I hear their customer service is outstanding and you may even recognize a familiar face! :-). I have not rented from them but will check them out for next time since I love driving those jeeps, I feel like I'm on safari!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3362) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 3:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I vote for the Jaguar...Also, for those who rent and have US gold or Platinum credit cards..lots of them cover the insurance and can save lots of money for you...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ****Boat Chick**** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6663) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 4:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Do you think they would mind me tank schleping in a "Jaguar" [say it with your teeth clenched and pronounce it: soft "j"ag - ooo - ahhh]

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6375) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 5:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

With all the travel I do, I find Bonaire's car rental rates to be downright cheap in comparison. You don't even want to speculate at how much it costs per week for a car picked up in Nova Scotia to be rented for drop off in Maine...

Hmm, but I might rent myself a Jag back home just to play...

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *joe brannan* (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #522) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 8:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde
WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WIF YO MOUF?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3462) on Friday, September 5, 2008 - 11:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jags are not for tanks. Jags are for chicks, and the men who want them.

I always use AB, and if you don't get a returning discount from your renter, did you ask nicely?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6929) on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 2:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't forget January is peak/high cost season anywhere in the Caribbean. Might be part of the reason for the higher cost to rent at that time?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timmmy- Bonairian Bottom Dweller - LIVE (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6005) on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 9:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I saw that Jag Thursday at Tropical Holland - very nice - maybe next time.

I have a brand new Toyota Hilux 4 door - $198.00 per week.

Contact Ann @ Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations - she can help you.

click here

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ****Boat Chick**** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6668) on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 11:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

whaf cheeffy?

Timmy, who did ann hook you up with? brand new?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bartek Jankowski (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 2:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

thank you Timmmy for suggestion. I've just sent her an e-mail. I hope she can find us something similar :-)
By the way, does this rate include insurances?

Best regards, Bartek
www.tropikey.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Folds (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 4:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We rented a new truck through Poppy who works at the airport Contentinal and KLM counter. Two weeks truck rental cost 724 US dollars. No magnifying glass when you return the vehicle. Simply park it in the parking lot at the airport and leave the keys in the ash tray. If you can not find Poppy at the airport you can either email her or people at the KLM counter can get you in touch with her f you have any problems.

What was better than the other older rental we had in May was the total gas for two weeks was $120 US dollars. Dove the south side and couple of north side spots and toured the island on Friday.

As a side note I find everything expensive in Bonaire but that is the price one must pay to have the pure pleasure of shore diving until your heart is content.

Go and enjoy your stay and don't worry about the few dollars differance in rentals. It's only money. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timmmy- Bonairian Bottom Dweller - LIVE (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6010) on Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 4:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde - brand new - still has that NTS new truck smell - just over 2000 miles on it. I'm seeing a lot of them around this week at the dive sites.

Bartek - Insurance is extra if you want it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Johnson (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 7:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

One thing to remember is that he was quoting in Euros. Most of the replies have been in $$. There's a substantial difference between the two these days. Bartek's 220 Euros is about $360 (US). That closes the gap considerably...

Regards,
TED

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5862) on Monday, September 8, 2008 - 10:47 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We rented from Budget last month -- Ann hooked us up, also ! We had a brand new Toyota. I think it had 1,300 miles on it.

 


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