Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or David?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit David 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 David and Bonaire can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: David or Bonaire?
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, and The Best Budget Tours to Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDavid $32Bonaire $256
The average daily cost (per person) in David is $32, 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 David and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDavid $12Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDavid $24Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in David and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in David 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.
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: David Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.David $12Bonaire $65
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
- Airport Transfer Return Included: $44
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Cruise Port to Kralendijk city : $59
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Port to Bonaire Airport (BON): $59
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk City to Kralendijk Cruise Port: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into David or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and David 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
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Food Meals for one dayDavid $10Bonaire $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.David $4.39Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Bonaire
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bonaire are as follows:
- Semi Submarine Boat Experience to Klein Bonaire: $33
- Walking Tours & Private Tours on Bonaire: $36
- 4 Hours Open Air Party Bus Tour with Beach Stop in Caribbean: $39
- Half-Day Bonaire Island Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $46
- Bonaire Essentials Island Tour: $49
- Sunset Adventure: $55
- Yacht tour with local guide & snorkeling activities: $57
- Highlights of Bonaire & Cultural Experience: $59
- Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour: $59
- Explore North & South Tour: $65
- Small-Group Guided North & South Tour of Bonaire with Pick Up: $65
- Donkey Sanctuary Tour with a Local Guide : $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDavid -Bonaire $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between David and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since David is in Central 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is David Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, David or Bonaire?
David has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of David 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.