Travel Budget for Bonaire Visit Bonaire on a Budget or Travel in Style

Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Bonaire is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Bonaire?

You should plan to spend around $299 per day on your vacation in Bonaire. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $101 on meals
  • $65 on local transportation
  • $309 on hotels

A one week trip to Bonaire for two people costs, on average, $4,186. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $299
  • One Week Per person
    $2,093
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $4,186
  • One Month Per person
    $8,970
  • One Week For a couple
    $4,186
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $8,372
  • One Month For a couple
    $17,940
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Bonaire cost?

A one week trip to Bonaire usually costs around $2,093 for one person and $4,186 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Bonaire on average costs around $4,186 for one person and $8,372 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Bonaire will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Bonaire on average costs around $8,970 for one person and $17,940 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is Bonaire expensive to visit?

Bonaire is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.

You can find Bonaire to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.

On average, budget travelers spend $126 per day, mid-range travelers spend $299 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $633 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bonaire.

Within the Caribbean Islands, which is known to be an expensive region, Bonaire is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in the Caribbean Islands for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Bonaire is generally more expensive than most.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bonaire Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Bonaire?

The average Bonaire trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bonaire travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bonaire cost?

Bonaire on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
$64 $155 $345
Local Transportation 1 $28 $65 $137
Food 2 $44 $101 $201
Entertainment 1 $17 $40 $77
Alcohol 2 $7-21 $17-50 $38-114

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Bonaire on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.

What Defines a Budget Traveler?

You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $126 that backpackers often get by on.

Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.

So, are you average?

As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Many visitors to Bonaire are keen to visit the prominent attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $299 per person, per day.

Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?

If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $633 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Photography Tour - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Bonaire

In Bonaire, hotel prices can swing drastically. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury, but come at a cost, especially in peak season when prices are higher. Off-season prices are more reasonable, averaging $176, but during peak season they jump to an average of $328. You can find budget options starting at $111 up to luxury rates at $558. Hostels are typically cheaper, especially dorms. Book early and avoid peak season to save money.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Bonaire for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $309. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $155 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $155
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $309

Hotels in Bonaire

Looking for a hotel in Bonaire? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Actual Hotel Prices in Bonaire

The average hotel room price in Bonaire based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $176 in the low season and $328 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bonaire include:

  • Bellafonte Luxury Oceanfront Hotel starting at $285
  • BnBBonaire near the ocean starting at $74
  • Thebonairian starting at $177
  • Hillside Apartments starting at $106
  • Red Palm Village starting at $99
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Bonaire

By avoiding the peak season and traveling in the low or shoulder seasons, you will be rewarded with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Bonaire

In Bonaire, the public transit system is not very good.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $65 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bonaire. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Bonaire is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $65

Transportation Tips

If you're driving, it's essential to check if your hotel offers convenient parking.

A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:

  • Airport Transfer Return Included for $44 details
  • Private Transfer from Kralendijk Port to Bonaire Airport (BON) for $59 details
  • Private Transfer from Kralendijk Cruise Port to Kralendijk city for $59 details

Recommended Services


Flights to Bonaire
How much does it cost to go to Bonaire? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Bonaire
The price of renting a car in Bonaire will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Bonaire

Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in Bonaire can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bonaire is $101 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $101

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bonaire is around $101 ($101) per person, with previous travelers spending from $44 to $201. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Bonaire are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $10 to $30
  • Lunch: $15 to $41
  • Dinner: $30 to $71
  • Coffee: $8
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $15

Cuisine of Bonaire largely consists of Caribbean flavors with influences from a myriad of ethnicities which include Dutch, Colombian, Chinese, Italian, Surinam, Indonesian, French, German, and more. While many of the island's ingredients are imported, there are a few locally grown products that find their way into dishes unique to Bonaire. Goat is raised on the island and makes up many soups and stews, sorghum is locally grown and used to make pancakes and porridge, fish is abundant from the surrounding coastline (especially wahoo), and produce like limes, mangoes, a local breed of cherry, and a brown fruit called mispel are all cultivated on the island. Even iguana has a place in traditional Bonaire cooking as a good source of protein. Other oddities include conch, cacti, and rock lobster. For a small island, Bonaire has a varied assortment of restaurants, though typical cooking of the area is heavy on soups, stews, fried foods, and fish.

Food & Dining Tips

Lots of hotels throw breakfast into the room rate, but some will charge for it. The quality and price can differ by hotel. Understanding this in advance can help you figure out if you'll need to spend extra money. It may be worth splurging on the hotel buffet, or you could find a less expensive option at a nearby bakery or cafe.

Keep a water bottle with you to cut down on drink purchases. It's also better for the environment.

Before booking a tour, make a point of knowing which meals are part of the package. You may be responsible for some of your food costs, which can increase your overall budget.

If you want to experience the culture in Bonaire, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:

  • Discover the Flavors of Bonaire with the Bonaire Snack Food Tour for $110 details

Recommended


Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bonaire

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bonaire typically cost an average of $40 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $40

Bonaire's reef-lined coast is protected by the Bonaire National Marine Park which pays homage to the island's long history of marine preservation. Since it was established in 1979, the park has managed the use of the island's marine resources which includes over 6,000 acres of reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves - a prime location for diving. On the northern end of Bonaire, lies Washington Slagbaai National Park. Comprising of two former land plantations, the area covers just less than 14,000 acres of undeveloped nature for the public to enjoy.

Like any tropical getaway, Bonaire is also host to more than twenty-two beaches, all of varying size and quality. The beach of 1000 Steps, for example, gets its name from the limestone stairs you have to descend to get there (though, in reality, there are less than a hundred - so don't let the name scare you!). It is a white sand beach surrounded by limestone cliffs and a great spot for diving and snorkeling, especially for seeing turtles in the shallow waters. Atlantis Beach is known for kite boarders and tidal pools along its rocky shore, Boka Kokolishi is known for its black sands, and Boka Slagbaai has a rougher kind of sand with a great surrounding area for hiking. Other beaches include Cai, Chachacha, Eden Beach, and more.



Both on land and at sea, Bonaire has plenty of opportunity to stay busy and have a blast. Dive into turquoise waters to find another world of color below. There are many prime sites around the island for scuba diving and snorkeling for those who hope to catch sight of some wildlife below the waves. At the surface, visitors can also experience the more lively side of the ocean with activities like windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing, wake boarding, sailing, boating, and more. Kayaking is also available, most popular on Lac Bay, a lagoon of calm waters which hosts a fish nursery and tunnels of mangroves.

Further inland, the island of Bonaire is also a playground for biking and hiking with over 300 kilometers of bike trails and steep hills for hikers determined to earn a stunning glimpse of the island's scenery from above. Below the trails and striking views, Bonaire also hosts a system of about 400 caves, some of which are open for guided tours. Other activities on the island include rappelling and rock climbing, horseback riding, golfing, and birdwatching.

A nice way to explore destinations in Bonaire is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

  • Small Group Diving experience in Caribbean for $299 details
  • Private Snorkeling Tour Bonaire for $125 details
  • E-Snorkeling tour in Bonaire with easy Sea Scooters for $95 details

Recommended Activities


Nightlife Budget in Bonaire

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $33 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Bonaire per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $33
Nightlife Tips

Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.



Budgeting and Travel Tips for Bonaire

  • The peak season of typically means higher prices and more tourists. For those looking to save money and enjoy a more peaceful experience, the shoulder or low seasons are ideal.
  • Traveling at a slower pace can help you save money and truly appreciate the beauty around you. Overloading your itinerary with activities can lead to excessive spending. However, taking it easy and enjoying the moment usually results in a lighter wallet.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Bonaire doesn't offer many public transportation choices. It might be a good idea to rent a car or arrange for transportation ahead of time, like booking a tour. Just keep in mind that this could affect your budget in other areas.
  • Bonaire isn't particularly known for its hostels, so if you're expecting a budget dorm, you may need to reconsider. Look into affordable hotels or consider renting an apartment instead.
Related Articles
Traveling in Bonaire
Bonaire Bonaire

An island municipality of the Netherlands, Bonaire resides in the Caribbean, east of Central America and north of Venezuela. It is a part of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Curaçao, and is best known as a tropical vacation destination with many great dive spots, beaches, lagoons, and wildlife.



Neighborhoods & Around

Kralendijk is the capital city and main port of the island, sporting a colorful Caribbean town center. Year round, visitors stroll down the streets enjoying the Caribbean architecture and atmosphere while shopping on the main street Kaya Grandi and the area around it. Seasonally, from November through April, cruise ships often dock in the North and South piers. There is also a market selling island-made products during this time, located on the Wilhelmina square.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.