We spent a week, February 5-12, at the Carib Inn in Bonaire. The inn is located right on the ocean with a very small beach area, somewhat rocky. It is about a 10 minute walk into town where there are many places to eat. Next door is the Divi Bonaire which also has a restaurant.

The inn is small, only about 10 rooms. Most of them have a kitchen. There is a small pool which is kept very clean as are the rooms. There is a cable TV with a good selection of channels in each room. The air conditioner worked very well. During the day we didn't need the ac because there was always a nice breeze. The breeze seemed to die down at night so we used the ac. There is a small grocery store less than a block away. You will need a car to get to the bigger ones which are more than a mile away. Selection in the bigger stores was excellent. Prices are higher than in the US, maybe 30 to 40 per cent so.

We rented a pickup from Budget at the airport. I suggest a truck if you're going to shore dive or visit the national park. The roads in the park are terrible and could not be traveled in a car. There are few gas stations on the island so be alert.

We ate at seven different restaurants. None were particularly outstanding. Food was good, but most were too expensive. I have listed below where we ate. You would need a car to go to a couple of them or be willing to take a long walk or taxi. In town there is Subway, Kentucky Fry, and a hamburger place as well as an ice cream store.

Pasa Bon - good pizza, prices not too bad here, just barely outside of town

Will's - varied menu, a little expensive, good atmoshpere, in town

Bambu - near the cruise dock in town, expensive

Divi Bonaire - located right next door, excellent location right on the ocean, lunch menu was medium priced, good fish sandwich

Bobby Jean's Barbeque - only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, food was good but amounts were small for what you paid - just outside of town

Lost Penguin - my favorite, good selection, a little high but very good, located in town

Casablanca - closest to inn with exception of Divi Bonaire, good menu, food was adequate but a little expensive

I was in Bonaire to dive. The Carib Inn offers a single tank dive at 8:30 and another at 1:00. The dive sites are all within 15 to 20 minutes of the inn.
They have two boats which were in very good condition.
The only negative was that neither boat had a top so even in February you have to be careful about sunburning. Divemasters were all very good. You could go off on your own if you chose or follow the divemaster. The boat was always tied to a buoy within a 100 yards or less from shore. You went against the slight current until you reached 1500 p.s.i. and then turned around and headed back toward the boat. All dives were wall dives. Very few big fish were seen. We saw several different kinds of eels, turtles, and seahorses. Most people wore a 3 mmm full suit, but there were some who wore shorties, and one who wore no wetsuit at all. Water clarity was 100 feet plus. I would have shore dived if I had a buddy to go with me. My wife does not dive. Shore diving is very big here.

There is not a whole lot to do on the island other than dive. There are some beaches at the bigger hotels. There are a few stores downtown that offer a pretty good selection of souvenir items such as T-shirts, etc. The national park is somewhat interesting. Roads are challenging. It is very dry as is the whole island. The only wildlife we saw in the park were lizards, burros, and few birds. Cacti and shrub bushes are everywhere. It is just like being in a desert in the southwest part of the US. The coast in the park is beautiful with waves crashing on the rocky shore.

We flew American Airlines out of Oklahoma City, and upon arrival at Bonaire, we found out that only one of our 4 bags made it. The others arrived two days later. That cost me one day of diving.

The people on the island for the most part understood English. They were polite and seemed to be a very happy people.

I would highly recommend the Carib Inn. It is very laid back. Everything is very quiet and relaxing once the sun goes down and even when it is up. The people in dive shop and the divemasters were willing to answer any questions we had. Contact CaribInn

The place is clean and well kept. The staff is friendly and courteous. The kitchens/kitchenettes are enough to feed a family with. This is a real good deal for your money. The diving is great right off the dock. There is enough parking for all guests vehicles. Quiet and relaxing. All the guests are usually real friendly and quiet. I have been to Bonaire 5 times and I still go there. I am going back real soon.

I stayed at Bruce Bowkers Carib Inn last summer and learnt to dive. It was excellent. As a new diver i was hesitant but the staff were very friendly and helpful and advised me on what was best for me not what was the msot expensive (as you can find in some places). It is a small hotel with only 10 rooms but i did not feel isolated, i felt it was a lovely cosy freiendly, and helpful atmosphere. The diving was great, the dive instructer's always asked us where we would like to go and told us about each dive site. They run one tank dives, with one in the morning, afternoon and evening, i found this was perfect for me as i could explore the dive site and have longer in the water rather than only have a brief amount of time in the water and have to rush off to another site like you get in two tank dives. Overall, i fell the Carib Inn is a must if you go to Bonaire with your main aim to go scubadiving. I loved my trip and will be returning next year.Thank you Bruce and the team for a lovely holiday! #: )