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

Should you visit Dubrovnik or Bonaire?

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

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Bonaire? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Dubrovnik or Bonaire?

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.

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 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Dubrovnik?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is $183, while the average daily cost in Bonaire is $299. 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 Dubrovnik and Bonaire in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubrovnik $75
    Bonaire $155
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubrovnik $150
    Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and Bonaire

Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik


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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubrovnik $25
    Bonaire $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:


  • Bus Around Town
    $1.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik

Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cavtat, Mlini & Srebreno to Dubrovnik Old Town Speedboat Transfer: $24
  • Private transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $24
  • Dubrovnik to Koločep Island Ferry Scenic Transfer: $24
  • Return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $26
  • Private Transfer between Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Airport: $27
  • Private return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $29
  • Convenient Bus Transfer from/to Split: $33
  • Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) to Dubrovnik - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV): Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Bus transfer between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi: $37
  • Private AirPort Transfer Dubrovnik by CRUISER TAXI: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dubrovnik City to Dubrovnik Airport by Business Car: $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:

  • Airport Transfer Return Included: $80
  • Private Transfers between Bonaire airport and any local address: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or Bonaire?

Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Dubrovnik 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
    Dubrovnik $87
    Bonaire $101
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik

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

  • Gastro Dinner and Cruise around Dubrovnik Old Town: $92
  • Sunset Dubrovnik & Dinner At St Jacob Beach: $100
  • Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $129
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m Above Ground: $138
  • Old Town Dubrovnik Food Tour of 10+ Authentic Croatian Tastings: $140
  • Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $159
  • Dinner with Signature – A 5-Course Authentic Experience: $159
  • Dubrovnik Sunset Cruise with dinner on board: $162
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $165
  • Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $204
  • Blue Cave, Elaphiti Islands, Wine Tasting and Cooking Experience: $258
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $283

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bonaire

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bonaire.

  • Dinner at Sea: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubrovnik $17
    Bonaire $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
    $15
  • Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
    $62
  • Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
    $52

Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.

  • Self Guided Private Tour of Dubrovnik's Best Kept Secrets: $3.53
  • Selfguide® Secrets Tour Dubrovnik with Game of Thrones Spots: $5.31
  • Self guided walking tour of Dubrovnik with audio guide: $5.90
  • Dubrovnik Medieval Adventure: Self-Guided City Quest: $5.90
  • Dubrovnik Audio guided walking tour 1h and 18 audio reviews: $6.96
  • Dubrovnik Game Of Thrones self-guided tour with mobile app: $8.99
  • Private Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Dubrovnik Old Town: $9.43
  • Game of Thrones Filming Locations Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $10
  • Museum of Selfies & Illusions Dubrovnik Ticket: $11
  • Skip the Line: Love Stories Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
  • TOP Dubrovnik : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12

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
  • 4 hour Individual Island Tour for 1 to 12 persons: $180
  • Aquaspace Sunset Sail and Snorkel Tour on Bonaire with Diner: $130
  • Bonaire Cave Tour: Walk, Climb & Swim: $75
  • 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
  • Bonaire island adventure: $110
  • Discover Scuba Diving Experience: $164
  • North & South Highlights Guided Group Tour: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubrovnik $19
    Bonaire $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:

  • Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $41
  • Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $46
  • Private Scenic Sunset Tour & Premium Wine Tasting Above Dubrovnik: $52
  • Wine Tasting in Konavle, Near Dubrovnik & Cavtat – Join Us!: $53
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $71
  • Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $81
  • Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $81
  • Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $92
  • Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik -Train Ride &Wine Tasting: $94
  • Sunset wine tasting in vineyard: $94
  • Konavle Valley Wine Tasting from Dubrovnik with Light Lunch: $112
  • Full Day Korcula and Peljesac Wine Tasting Tour in Dubrovnik: $116


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubrovnik and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Dubrovnik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubrovnik is in Europe 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 Dubrovnik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik.

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


Which is Bigger, Dubrovnik or Bonaire?

Dubrovnik has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Dubrovnik 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.