A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Colonia del Sacramento vs. Bonaire for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Bonaire?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and Bonaire can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Bonaire?

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.

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 CuraƧao, and is best known as a tropical vacation destination with many great dive spots, beaches, lagoons, and wildlife.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Colonia del Sacramento?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, while the average daily cost in Bonaire is $256. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Colonia del Sacramento and Bonaire in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $34
    Bonaire $155
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $68
    Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Bonaire

Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Bonaire? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento


Hotels in Bonaire


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $17
    Bonaire $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento

Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
  • Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:

  • Private Transfers from Bonaire airport to any address on Bonaire: $43
  • Private Transfer from Kralendijk Port to Bonaire Airport (BON): $59
  • Private Transfer from Kralendijk Cruise Port to Kralendijk city : $59
  • Private Transfer from Kralendijk City to Kralendijk Cruise Port: $59
  • Airport Transfer Return Included: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Bonaire?

Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Colonia del Sacramento change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $19
    Bonaire $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento

For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $24
    Bonaire $40

Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento

For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking tour around Colonia del Sacramento Old Town: $15
  • Goup Walking Tour - Spanish Only: $18
  • Shared City Tour at sunset in Historic Neighborhood: $20
  • Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
  • Hike at promenade + entry ticket to bullring (Walk 5.5km): $28
  • Winery tour with shared transport and tasting included: $38
  • Shared Boat Tour Experience - Colonia del Sacramento: $43
  • Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
  • Full gastronomic experience: Uruguayan meat,cheese and wine: $55
  • Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
  • From Horse Ride Experience: $72

Tours and Activities in Bonaire

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bonaire are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Private Kitesurfing Adventure: $265
  • 4 Hours Open Air Party Bus Tour with Beach Stop in Caribbean: $39
  • Bonaire CaveTour Climb, Snorkel & Explore the Hidden Gems : $83
  • Bonaire Essentials Island Tour: $49
  • Bonaire Landsailing Adventures: $79
  • Bonaire Shore Excursion: The Bonaire Highlights Tour: $83
  • Guided Night Snorkeltour With Tarpons on the Hunt: $70
  • Brunch & Snorkel Catamaran Tour: $115
  • Catamaran Snorkel & BBQ Sail (cruise friendly): $105
  • Cave Adventure: Walk, Climb & Swim: $75
  • Cave Exploration Tour & Snorkeling: $100
  • Cave Tour with Local Guide: $94

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.85
    Bonaire $33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Colonia del Sacramento is in South America and Bonaire is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bonaire would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonaire than you might in Colonia del Sacramento.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Bonaire?

Colonia del Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Bonaire, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.