Firstly, I want to thank everyone for posting such useful information. I live in Kansas City and it's often difficult to utilize the best advertised fares from our airport; but with the information from this forum I think I have a great plan in place:

$500 from Kansas City to Curacao round trip + $70 Insel Air round trip is hard to beat! A little more expensive than Maui last year...but I'm excited to experience an island a little off the beaten path. (is it just me or has airfare gone up tremendously this year vs last year?) Can't wait to try Coco Palms! Thinking Marisol is the place to be...

My girlfriend and I are coming to Bonaire for relaxation and snorkeling (surprise surprise!). Is there any reason why we shouldn't just rent a couple mopeds for exclusive transportation?

I would love to visit the park but perhaps we could throw money in a pot with some others who might be touring the park the same day? Truck rentals for the day?

I really enjoy getting to know people when I visit places, hopefully this trip will have lots of perspective to offer!

Quincy:
Welcome to Bonaire talk. We have stayed many times at Coco Palm Garden and find it to be everything that that their web site shows and more. My response to your question about transportation is biased mostly because I think that a 4 wheel vehicle is more safe. Have you asked the staff at Coco Palm Garden how much it would be to rent a truck through their source. On some of our vacations, they have gotten us a bare bones older truck for a really good price. As for flexablity, both you and your girlfriend can be listed on the rental insurance for no extra charge. Certainly mopeds would work for transport; but, considering driving after dark post evening meal in town say. We have always rented a truck and consider it a quentessential component to Bonaire Dive/Snorkel Freedom.

quincy

while on Bonaire if you choose to rent a vehicle, get a hold of Poppy at Telerin!

I usually rent the worst looking truck she's offering, that way they can't tell the old from the new dings.

If your lucky you'll drive 400 miles for the week[unless you have a daughter who needs to go back and forth to the beach several times a day] As far as gas goes I fill up about every 6 days.

Telerin(Poppy) is the way to go! She meets you at the airport, and when you leave just park the truck, and she takes good care of you! Costomer service is the best!

Marcolva Henriquez (Poppy)
Cell: 5163001 (24Hrs)
Telerin Car Rental
telerin@bonairelive.com
marcolva@hotmail.com

Ron

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like a truck is the way to go, I absolutely agree about transit after dark etc...we need a safer vehicle for that kind of thing.

I might just have to splurge and rent a couple mopeds to throw in the back of the truck...they just sound like a fun way to get around the little island.

And if any moped rental proprietors are viewing this thread...I use the term 'throw' very loosely, haha. I'm thinking more along the lines of "gently secure moped in the bed of the truck".

Since some rental representatives are here I thought I might cover my bases

Quincy, what airline are you flying from KC to CUR..??? $500 rt is a great price!!

Well I've seen ~500 USD prices on American Airlines (most frequently) and Delta.

I booked a Delta flight for my first Bonaire trip. I haven't officially booked my inter-island trip from CUR but I'm planning to call Insel Air tomorrow about the $70 USD rt to Bonaire.

Itin looks like this:
Kansas City (MCI) to Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl.) 03/06/10 5:45 AM - 8:53 AM Delta 1554
Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl.) to Willemstad (CUR) 03/06/10 9:45 AM - 3:10 PM Delta 679
Willemstad (CUR) to Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl.) 03/13/10 4:10 PM - 7:41 PM Delta 678
Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl.) to Kansas City (MCI) 03/13/10 9:48 PM - 11:10 PM Delta 1277