Caribbean Vacation House for rent on the Island of Bonaire pristine diving, snorkelling, windsurfing!
Nancy's Bonaire House for Rent: (Near Aruba)
- a pool and large, spacious cedar deck for sunbathing.
- a large quiet, private backyard , fully landscaped with palm trees and flowers.
- a large, shaded veranda adjacent to the pool for outdoor relaxation and dining.
- Wireless internet
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, large living room.
- 5 minute walk from Sunset beach
- 5 minute drive to the city or windsurf facilities
Features:
Relax in the lounge chair or hammock, enjoying the cool breeze of the Trade Winds. On the veranda, an outdoor dining table and chairs for 8 people provides a beautiful dining setting. The has wireless internet and you can do computer work indoors or outdoors.
Inside are three bedrooms, two bathrooms', a large living room with a lofty 20 foot ceiling: a fully equipped kitchen, which opens out on to the veranda and pool area. All bedrooms have air conditioning as well as fans.
The master bedroom has a king-size bed and a full ensuite with 2 sinks, shower and toilet. The second bedroom has a double bed and windows that look on to the garden and pool. The third bedroom has 2 single beds, a closet, and a window that overlooks the pool. The second and third bedrooms share a bathroom, which has a shower, toilet and sink. All bath amenities are a sleek, modern European design. All bedrooms have end tables, closets and reading lamps.
The kitchen has a dishwasher, double stainless steel sink, large gas stove with oven, fridge, cupboards, dishes, electric frying pan, large wok, blender, toaster, kettle, and other utensils. The counter-top is sleek, gray granite.
The floors are beautiful slate tiles that are cool on the feet. All windows have shutters and screens. Open them when you want to let in the cool morning and evening breezes. All rooms have ceiling fans.
Outdoor facilities include:
an outdoor shower so that you can rinse off after the beach; a rinse tank for your dive and snorkel gear; a charcoal barbecue; a clothes line; and an outdoor storage room where you can store your dive gear.
Location:
The house is located in the quiet neighbourhood of Belnem, in the southern part of Bonaire. It is a 1-minute walk to Sunset beach, where you can swim, snorkel or dive. It is a 5-minute drive to the windsurfing location and a 5-minute drive to downtown shopping and dining.
House Rental Prices:
The rental price is incredibly low for the Caribbean. Two people can rent the house for under $1,000 per week (US funds, plus taxes and air conditioning charges). My property managers arrange all of the bookings and can answer any questions you may have. Go to www.cocopalmgarden.org Kas Shinishi is the name of my house in Papiamentu, the local language.
Tourist information: go to www.tourismbonaire.com
Read on for a list of activities in this amazing spot!
Why I love the Island of Bonaire
There are many reasons to fall in love with the Caribbean island of Bonaire! Here are some of the things that appeal to me. There are plenty of activities, for every age group and interest. It is a relaxed island, no rushing, no high rise developments over 5 floors, and it is south of the hurricane belt. It is clean, easy to drive around, and most people speak English. Bonaire is part of the Netherlands Antilles, and combines a Caribbean feel with a European influence. I feel safe walking alone and the locals are very friendly. Tourists come from around the world to dive, snorkel, swim, and windsurf in this pristine environment.
Bonaire is near the island of Aruba and is 50 miles from Venezuela. The average air temperature is 82F (28 C) and the water is temperature is 80F (27).
How to get to Bonaire:
Contact your travel agent or go the Bonaire website for tips on how to get there. Myself, I fly with Continental airlines from Vancouver to Houston, and then connect in Houston to fly direct to Bonaire. You can also go via Aruba, Miami, Puerto Rico, and other options, depending upon where you live and what the airlines are offering.
Bonaire facts and activities:
The island has all amenities; car rentals and dive trucks (book well in advance); medical facilities; banking; internet cafes; cell phones for rent; photo shop; duty free shopping; fine dining; outdoor restaurants and bars. Currency is US funds or Guilders. Go to the bank to exchange your money for local currency. Read on for a list of activities to do on your vacation!
Windsurfing: For Beginners and Advanced (click here for windsurf photos)
I am an avid windsurfer and went to the island 5 times before I decided to buy my house. I had windsurfed in other Caribbean locations, but none could compare with Bonaire. I improve my windsurfing skills there more quickly because of the wonderful, shallow lagoon, great rental shop, and helpful people. The island is rightfully rated as the “number one” place in the world for beginning windsurfers.
Windsurfing is on Lac Bay, which is on the eastern shore of Bonaire. The lagoon is only 4 feet deep, with a clean, sandy bottom, water. The shallow water accelerates your learning because you don’t have to struggle with up hauling the sail. When you fall off, you just stand up and get going again! The prevailing winds are on-shore winds, which are safer, because if you do have any problems, you will be blown back onto shore. Or, you can walk back to shore, if you are in the shallow part. The lagoon is protected by a large reef, so you can have great flat water sailing (easier than wave sailing). No scary fish either!
Bonaire is blessed with steady and cooling trade winds throughout the year, with the wind averaging 16 to 25 knots. The water is incredibly warm, and the wind good all year long.
You have great sailing over 2 miles of beautiful obstacle-free water. The kite boarders have their own beach, so it is windsurfing paradise! If you want more of a challenge, just continue sailing into the larger bay, which is deeper. Beyond the reef, sailors go for wave jumping. All levels of windsurfers are happy here!
Lac Bay has two windsurf rental shops, two small restaurants, a nice sandy beach for sunbathing and plenty of lounge chairs, where you can sit and watch the windsurfers zoom by. It is a low-key, relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Your non-windsurfing family and friends will have fun swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, eating or drinking at the restaurants.
Windsurf lessons:
The new wide boards make windsurfing easy to learn. Take a private lesson or a group lesson.
Windsurf Rentals are reasonably priced. You can rent by the day, the week, or longer. Incredibly convenient, everything is rigged and ready to go. You can exchange sails and boards any time during the day.
Contact Jibe City www.jibecity.com for rental equipment and lessons. Be sure to tell them that Nancy gave you their name.Here is a list of activities and sites to see on the island.
Go to www.tourismbonaire.com for more information.
- Bird watching
- Bicycling
- Bowling
- Butterfly farm
- Caving
- Dance lessons, Salsa!
- Dining
- Diving: over 30 shore sites. World famous
- Donkey sanctuary
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Island tours
- Kayaking in the mangroves
- Kite boarding
- Land sailing
- Mountain biking
- Nature parks
- Rock climbing
- Sailing
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Waterskiing
- Wakeboarding
- Relax and watch the sunset!
“Smile, Boneiru ta dushi !” (Smile, Bonaire is sweet!)