We staid in Bonaire for 5 months and all I can say is it was not enough time. If you are a diver or snorkler you will absolutely love it here. True prices are quite a bit higher here than in Curacao and the shopping in Curacao is a lot better but I tell you for me a gourmet I decided that the crystal clear water wins over food and I will not regret this decision ever. First before I will go into details I like to ask you for a favor. Pretty much everybody coming through Bonaire has heard of the “Pizazz Route”. Randy and Lourae who put endless work into the Pizazz route live on the beautiful island of Bonaire and love to meat cruisers. Now here comes the favor: please give them a call or write them an email, invite them to your boat for some cocktail, thank them for the Pizazz route with a bottle of wine, you will not regret it. Randy and Lourae are one of the most wonderful cruisers, well ex-cruisers now or CLODs (Cruisers Living On Dirt), we’ve met and seeing Bonaire through their eyes made it that much more incredible. Your can reach them at:

Email: villablue25@gmail.com

Phone: 717 7278

Got that of my chest so here we go:

CHECKING IN:

Is easy they just moved the immigration office to the custom office. Check in is a breeze and all are super friendly. The only problem you will have is when you try to get an extension. We were lucky to get an extension for another 2 months. Note since 10-10-10 Bonaire is now Holland and check in rules may be different now.

MOORINGS:

There are about 40 moorings in the bay, there was only one week in the 5 months when they almost ran out of moorings. If you take one by down town, you have to like loud music as every Fri/Sat/Sun the music will be blaring from early evening until 4 am, and I mean blaring. Not to mention all the young kids owning a motorcycle burning their tires in town. It’s noisy all right. The middle area is a lot better and best for boats over 45 feet from here to the noisy area. The mooring closest to the Village Harbor Marina we liked bets we had the very last mooring. But here you get more of a roll then the rest of the moorings and when there is not much wind the current will spin you around, in one night we spun 5 times, so just keep an eye out and adjust the mooring line when needed. Also watch out when you go diving how strong the current is.

DINGY DOCK:

There are several places. You can buy a key to the Nautico marina for 10 dollar per week.

Karel’s dock: you can’t miss it as there is a bar at the end of the dock. It’s actually easier to get into town from here so safe the 10 dollars and have a couple of beers here instead before returning to your boat.

Harbor Village Marina is the other place to leave your boat, it’s a long walk into town from here but there are some convenient stores close to the marina including a liquor store.

Make sure you lock your dinghy and also lock your tank to the dinghy ours was stolen at the Harbor Village Marina. At night bring your dinghy up or lock it good.

DIVING:

Wanna Dive

The best dive shop we found is Wanna Dive, the people working for them are all super nice, helpful and fun. If you have your own tanks they will give you the local price to fill them (10 fills 45 bucks). I you need to rent the tanks its 75 bucks for 10 fills that includes the weight belt. Wanna Dive has some awesome parties at the “Wanna Dive Hut” which is within walking distance from the Harbor Village Marina. Every Thursday evening they have free Rum Punch at 5:30 and at 7:00 an all you can eat BBQ for 12 bucks not to mention all the fun.

http://www.wannadivebonaire.com/getpage.aspx?p=325

Yellow Submarine

Although the Yellow Sub is right in front of the mooring fields it seems to be more convenient. Most cruisers had their thanks filled here until they removed the tire which made it easy to get on their dock which makes it now impossible unless you’re a monkey, plus they nailed a sign onto the dock “Private Property”. One boat having their tanks filled for months couldn’t get on the dock anymore and stepped via their dive boat onto the dock. The manager yelled at them to never, ever step on his boat again, that was the end for them to fill their tanks there. So it’s up to you if you want to do business with them but I crossed them off our list, they were just not friendly.

Divi Dive

is another company that’s really friendly with us cruisers

http://www.diviresorts.com/diviflamingo/index.html

Diving is incredible no matter where you go, talk to the Wanna Dive guys they will tell you all the best spots. Or ask Karl who owns the Paradise Moon Bar at the Harbor Village Marina who is a dive instructor during the day but about the bar you’ll read more later.

Also if you don’t dive or don’t have dive equipment Bonaire is the place to get certified. Or for dive equipment go to Wanna Dive or Divi dive and buy a used BC and regulator for 300 bucks. They buy new ones every year so it’s worth buying them for that price. We paid close to 600 bucks in two weeks renting the gear. Live and learn!

EMAIL:

There are several spots you can buy email for about 20 Dollars per week.

Nautico is 20 bucks per week.

Seaside Apartments go per minute but a lot of time you will have problem signing out and loosing time doing so or if you forget to sign out you loose the minutes.

The Village Marina is working on a new system and should be running soon for boats at mooring.

Harbor Village should now also have email for the mooring fleet.

Closest to the Marina you’ll find Playa Lechi a free wifi that is provided by Anna and Henk who live in the second house on the left of the 6 apartment building that looks like a wedding cake LOL. If you use their wifi make sure you go ashore and thank them. Invite them onboard, they love to visit boaters and getting to know them. After all it’s super nice of them to let us use their wifi.

MAIL OR SHIPPING:

US Global

We had our mail sent via US Global and it arrived anywhere within 4 to 10 days. Since it goes via the post office it does not go through customs and vessel in transit do not have to pay no import taxes. The only fee is 17.50 Guilder for paperwork.

ROCARGO Service N.V.

Shipping company, takes about one month to get your shipment in and it will be taxed. I believe it’s 16 dollar per square foot. Import taxes depend on what the product is.

(599) 717 8922

info@rocargo.com

SHOPPING:

All has to be shipped in from Curacao, the boat usually comes in on Thursday evening or Friday early. Best shopping is on Friday or better on Saturday. Sometimes the boat will not make it which leaves the produce section empty for two weeks. In the 5 months it happened times. Each store has different products so you really do need to shop at all of them for certain items and oh yeah, if you see something you may need alter buy it now or you may never see it on the shelf. Also watch dates on packages, some are old. Also keep in mind the the stores have no AC except for the fresh produce and meat section, so watch the expiration date and if something has a lot of dust on it don't buy it. Milk and Cream get sour fast after opening.

Cultimara is within short walking distance from Karel’s dock, it has pretty much anything you need. The price is a bit higher then the other grocery store but it’s more convenient. Veggies are best here

Warehouse

My favorite has better meat products and prices are lower than Cultimara. It’s a long walk to get here but worth it. Go early in the morning before the heat of the day. It’s easy to hitch hike and it’s safe so I used to hitch hike to the warehouse and walk back.

Cash and Carry

is right across from the Warehouse and is the lowest prices store, also the warmest no air-conditioner so I don’t trust the items on the shelf. The veggie and meat section is air-conditioned and sometime when all other stores have no veggies you may find some here.

More for Less Supermarket

is a long walk to get to but it has nice produce from Equador, also has a nice butcher and I could find a lot of European goodies here. Strawberries are the best here. They also have some good prices on wine, selection is not great but good prices. Found wind for 6 Guilder.

TIS

Right next to Warehouse has bulk stuff. They have a bigger liquor section than most stores.

Bonaire Gift Shop

on the main street in town has a good selection of liquor

Wine Store

There is a good wine store across and a bit down the street towards the water from the Warehouse with wines you will not find in the other stores and better prices

HAPPY HOUR AND FOOD:

Paradise Moon Bar

Our favorite hang out. Amie, Pam and Karl spoiled us rotten and there was never a dull moment. They have daily special and always bring some chips and salsa out for Happy Hour. Chef Karl will spoil you with his wonderful food and presentation. They are located in the Harbor Village Marina where you can leave you dinghy to go ashore as well. (When we visited on 10-10-10 they were in the process of relocating so don't know the new address)

http://www.facebook.com/paradisebonaire

Yacht Club

Three minute walk from the marina, just across the street. Wonderful elegant dinner, best food we’ve had on the island. It’s pricy but way worth it. They also have nice rooms for rent. Reservations suggested.

http://www.yachtclubbonaire.com/

Richard’s

Water front dining just south of town and accessible by dinghy. Great for a Birthday or Anniversary and if you’re looking for a romantic evening make dinner reservation for the only table on the dock under a palm roof (4 people max). Good food and nice atmosphere

http://richardsofbonaire.com/

Mona Lisa

Excellent restaurant with wonderful food, reservations suggested as they are only open evenings. Two minute walk from Karel’s dock

http://www.bonairediningguide.com/restaurants/monalisa.html

Karel’s Beach Bar is the only dock in town with bar and restaurant. Fun place, great Happy Hour, a bit pricy but beautiful scenery. They also let us tie up the dinghies to go into town. Tie up on the north side and not on the end as a taxi is using it.

http://www.karelsbeachbar.com/

Sunset Bar and Resort

A 5 minute walk from the Village Marina. White tablecloth and candle light dining on a beautiful patio overlooking the beach and Klein Bonaire, beautiful for Sunset, a really cute and romantic setting.

http://www.sunsetrestaurantbonaire.com/

Wanna Dive Hut

Is within walking distance from the marina, ask the Wanna Shop where it is. Every Thursday night they have a fun Happy Hour with free Rum Punches starting at 17:30 and around 19:00 all you can eat BBQ for 12 bucks

http://www.wannadivehutbonaire.com/getpage.aspx?p=23

ACCOMODATIONS:

Tropicana Apartments owned by Roland and Irene. They have two resorts right next to each other right across from the Wanna Dive Hut. They are super nice people and it’s a great place to use when your boat is too small for company. Tell them we sent you

http://tropicanabonaire.com/

Yacht Club

Same as the restaurant, nice place

http://www.yachtclubbonaire.com/

Golden Reef

Liz and Ed are wonderful hosts. It’s a bit far from town so you definitely need a car. Place is nice and clean.

http://www.goldenreefinn.com/

ISLAND TOURS:

Land Sailing

Now this is a must. It’s so much fun racing around the race track in the blokarts. They are closed from July until October. Bring some sailing gloves.

http://www.landsailingbonaire.com/

LAUNDRY:

Caribbean Laundry will pick you up and drive you back. Very expensive, I had 9 loads of wash and 3 driers and paid US$ 75, ouch. They now pick you up and drop you off again.

DOCTORS

Dr. T.A.M Van der Vaart

1 minute walk past entrance of Cultimara across from hospital

717 7140 cmc@bonairenet.com

TAXI:

Party Bus for up to 50 people:

Alexander 786 3760

You’re in for a fun ride

Airconditioned Bus:

Corrine at Bonaire Tours

right next to Harbor Village Marina

717 8778

Taxi 19 Boertje Eusenia

Cell: 786 6418

(Ask for price up front, he doubled the price on us on second time)

Taxi 33 Jaime O. Perez

Cell: 786 0066

(Same here as about price up front, he tried to change price as well)

OLD BOAT BATTERIES:

If you are replacing your boat batteries the old ones can be used by Animal Friends Kanuku (Phone: 780 1225) or stop by SV Katana and let Red know (Phone: 788 2406).