Bonaire Favorites

Favorite thing: One of the best places for information on what to do in various ports is
Cruise Critic. The Cruise Critic Bonaire forum board was very useful in planning shore excursions, whether the ones offered by the ship or independent, and there is also Bonaire port information with hints on where to go, what to do, where the ships dock, where to eat and how to get around.

To find out how many other cruise ships will be in town along with you, check
Cruisett.com. The more ships in town, the more competition for independent guides and tours and the more crowded the main attractions will be.

Favorite thing: The official currency of Bonaire is the Antillean guilder. However, U.S. currency and credit cards are widely accepted. There are ATMs available at local banks downtown, the supermarket, Harborside Mall and several resorts. We didn't use or see any currency here, everything was handled by credit card or US dollars.

I always like to bring small bills with me when we go to the Caribbean, that way you can hand the taxi drivers exact change, have money for tips for guides or buy things at the market without having to get change. If you are coming in by cruise ship, the passenger services desk can break larger bills for you.

Favorite thing: Get a copy of Shore "Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter. She updates her book frequently, as the reef is always changing. She lives in Bonaire and is an avid diver. Forget Frommer's and Lonely Planet. The last time they updated was in the 90's.

Favorite thing: The "A, B, C" islands use 127V, 60Hz.

Standard plug is the USA (NEMA) & Japanese 2-pin flat blade, types A & B
http://kropla.com/!ab.htm

However, European 2-pin plug is also common.
http://kropla.com/!c.htm

Favorite thing: Bonaire is an arid island, most of it is covered with cacti and other plants adapted to grow in such a climate. On the island you still will find wild donkeys and Iguanas.
Salt is still produced on the island and you often find flamingos there.

Favorite thing: Sitting on the beach and watching the fast moving, puffy clouds overhead go by is a pastime that never bores. The sunrises are spectacular every morning and watching a full moon rise isn't bad either.

Fondest memory: The soft air which blew in over the water all day and night. The feeling against the skin is wonderful.

Favorite thing: I visited Bonaire on my return from Peru. For an island in the Carribean seas, I was very dissapointed in the island. Not one palm tree in sight, just very barron landscapes. You see, Bonaire is not like the other islands, it gets little rain and is constantly hot. The youth hostel we stayed at was the unfriendliest place in the world. If you are to stay I would recommend the Flamingo resort, this is where we spent most of our time and it seemed to have very good facilities.

But on a plus point, the sea life is the best I have ever seen. It beats the Great Barrier Reef hands down!!

Favorite thing: We didn't bother to do any boat dives on Bonaire. There is plenty of shore diving that's just as good. In fact, unless the boat goes to Klein Bonaire, they'll probably take you to a shore diving spot anyway. Most resorts have drive-thru tank swaps & fills. Our resort had some rinse tanks & a faucet at the drive thru so we could dip our gear in fresh water before we took lunch. That was a nice touch.

Fondest memory: I miss my engagement ring the most! I lost it at the Andrea II dive site. Please see my "Dive sites: Andrea I & Andrea II" in Must See Activities for more info. If you find it, please have a heart and let me know! Thanks!