Getting Around In Our Suzuki!

I rented a Suzuki Jimny 4X4 from Hertz at a rate of $40/day. It featured an automatic transmission and a transfer case offering 2H, 4H, and 4L settings. Otherwise, it was pretty bare bones (no radio, no AC), but that was fine with us. Suzanne and I just lowered the windows and enjoyed the unadulterated sounds of the wind and waves. Simplicity at it's finest!















I think a small sedan should satisfy most needs, but a majority of Bonaire roads are like this. Plus, it's only $5/day more to rent a Jimny over the basic sedan. I think it's worth it. The Jimny can easily fit four-80 cubic foot tanks and two sets of SCUBA gear in the back with the seats folded down. If you have more than two people you need to drive around during your trip, you should get something bigger like a quad-cab pickup.















Here's the main road south of Kralendijk. You can see Salt Pier (right) and the Solar Salt Works (left) in the distance. What looks like a small river is actually a moat around the Solar Salt Works (run by Cargill). It runs along the shoreline and takes you to Lighthouse Point at the southern tip of Bonaire. It then follows the coastline on windward side up to Sorobon and Lac Bay and then back to Kralendijk. Here's a road map to show you Bonaire's roads.














Sazanne getting ready to take the plunge off Oil Slick Leap. Generally, the dive sites north of Kralendijk are right off narrow paved roads with little parking areas like this. And although the dive sites to the south are also off a paved road, you typically have to drive onto the beach where it's quite rocky and full of coral debris. A 4X4 or pickup truck is highly recommended!