Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Reno?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Reno or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Reno 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: Reno or Bonaire?
Reno
In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.
The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.
Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReno $144Bonaire $256
The average daily cost (per person) in Reno is $144, 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 Reno and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReno $55Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReno $110Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Reno and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Reno 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: Reno Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reno $23Bonaire $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
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Car Wash$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $67
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $186
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $219
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 Reno or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Reno 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 dayReno $54Bonaire $59
Typical Food Prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast$22
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Sushi DInner (for 2)$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)$19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reno $88Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Reno by Operation City Quest: $10
- Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure: $12
- Lake Tahoe Audio Driving Tour: $14
- Lake Tahoe: Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $14
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Carson City, NV: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $22
- Zero Latency Extreme Virtual Reality Experience Ticket: $25
- Gangs and Gamblers Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Reno Ghosts Tour: $30
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReno $13Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Reno
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:
- 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
- Brewery Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reno and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reno is in North 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 Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Reno.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reno Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reno or Bonaire?
Reno has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Reno 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.