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MaryW - 1/29/2012 6:02 PM 
dh and I are going in April and staying at Coral Paradise Resort http://coralparadise.com/ . I chose it after carefully pouring over reviews. I heard you should stay in upstairs units, and keep windows rolled down in vehicles. Take valuables with you, and they won’t have to break a window to find out there’s nothing inside.
I’d love to hear what others who have actual experience say about Bonaire!
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Stayed at Sand Dollar this month. Rooms are fantastic. Walk to dive area is too long, annoying locks on tank and gear rooms at night and early morning are a hassle. Dive masters and captains are great, the dive operations manager is less than desireable, an azz by ALL acounts. ONE tank boat dives are a mystery to all. They make you pick up the truck at the airport, that sucked. WiFi was terrible. The restaurant, Eddy’s, nice people, not such good food. The restaurant right next to the dive center was fantastic. So, all in all? Sand Dollar in right next to Buddy Dive, where we stayed last Jan. and we gazed longingly at it from close yet so far away, and had breakfast there every morning.
I am sure there are other nice places to stay on this fantastic island, but next Jan look for me at Buddy Dive!!!!
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We’ve stayed at Plaza Resort and Eden Beach. Both are good, I prefer the Plaza for their total packages, either 4dD or the all inclusive 6D. Do not take anything of value that you’ll be leaving in your vehicle. Leave it unlocked and at least 1 window down and you’ll be ok. I usually leave nothing in the truck other than an old baseball cap and sunglasses. Your key, license, permit and a little cash can go with you.
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We stayed at Sand Dollar last may. I liked it. No theft problems. We followed the above advice. A group of us will be back May 5, 2012. we will be staying at Belmar this trip as we wanted to try somplace different.
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Bonaire is great. Look for a property with the little bungaloos- Capt. Dons has them. Little houses with kitchens and all. Great if you have a group. Stayed there and loved it. Plaza is nice, but rooms are far from the boats and they didn’t have storage when I was there. No trouble with cars, but be careful when returning. the gas station attendants try and get you. Watch the meter and make sure they reset the dials.
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I have been there twice and love the Divi Flamingo. Their dive staff is awesome! Bonaire is so easy to dive and really enjoy it.
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MaryW - 2/01/2012 7:41 PM
We’re using Capt. Dons for our boat dives. Coral Paradise has kitchens!
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Stayed at Buddy Dive in December. Apartments have kitchens and are well equipped and comfortable. Drive through tank loading and gear rinsing are convenient and the staff was lovely.
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I went back in 2000 and stayed at Divi Flamingo. They were nice and didn’t have any issues with them . I do hear that Buddy Dive is a little better bang for your buck though.
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I have been to Bonaire 8 times in the last 10 years. I have NEVER had any issues with theft. Don’t take anything of value and leave your vehicle unlocked when doing shore diving.
I have stayed at the Divi 7 times and it is nice if you are looking for a hotel. The last time we rented a house but still dove with Divi. The dive staff there is awesome. They have lockers on the dock and tanks readily available for shore diving there as well. The house reef is a very nice reef too. I’ve seen frogfish, spotted eagle rays and octos there.
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7 days under 2100, for 2 people you can stay at Coral Paradise Resort, with diving through Budddy Dive, airport transfers, and a rental truck. We stayed there last August/Sept for a week. Its next door to Don’s, gated, and safe. There is a chinese conven store/market about 200 yards north and you got Dons, Buddy Dive next door Its real convenient to all the north dive sites. Highly recommended.
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BTW the rooms have full kitchens.
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