Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Mendoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mendoza or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mendoza and Bonaire. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mendoza or Bonaire?
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
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 Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Mendoza Prices
Argentina PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMendoza $55Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $55, 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 Mendoza and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMendoza $41Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $82Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Mendoza 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $4.05Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $12
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $13
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Ushuaia: Transfer Ida & Volta para Cerro Castor desde hotel: $25
- Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Mendoza: $30
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $40
- Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu: $40
- Mendoza Airport Departure Transfer: $40
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $55
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Luján de Cuyo: $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:
- Private Transfers between Bonaire airport and any local address: $40
- Airport Transfer Return Included: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Mendoza 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 dayMendoza $5.67Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- PRIVATE Mendoza Cooking Class & Wine Pairing at Gaston's Home: $109
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $150
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Private Roast & Wine Dinner with Chef Sommelier: $220
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mendoza $23Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Center Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $20
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
- Mendoza City: Immigrant Sightseeing Tour – Squares, Museums, Artisans, Casino, Theater: $22
- Self-Guided Bike Tour in Luján de Cuyo Wine Region (Mendoza): $23
- Luján de Cuyo Wine Region Self-Guided Bike Tour: $23
- Standard City Tour: $23
- San Martin City and Park Tour from Mendoza: $23
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $24
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- City Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Quarter plus Mendoza-Style Snack: $25
- City Tour: $25
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: $135
- 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 Private South Tour & Sorobon Beach with a Local Guide: $155
- Bonaire Shore Excursion: The Bonaire Highlights Tour: $83
- Private Tour of the South and Sorobon Beach in Spanish: $140
- Brunch & Snorkel Catamaran Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $5.76Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $45
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $67
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $85
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mendoza and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mendoza 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 Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Mendoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mendoza Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Bonaire?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza 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.