Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Roatan?
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 Roatan 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 Roatan 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: Roatan or Bonaire?
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
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 Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Roatan Prices
Honduras PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoatan $42Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $42, 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 Roatan and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRoatan $10Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoatan $20Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Roatan and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Roatan 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: Roatan Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Roatan $17Bonaire $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$3.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
- Ultimate West Bay Beach Day: Pass & Transfers Included: $55
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
- Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
- Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $113
- South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $153
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 Roatan or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Roatan 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 dayRoatan $15Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $245
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.Roatan $25Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
- Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
- Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $42
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $43
- Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
- Roatán Private costume Tour Chocolate Rum Culture & Local Snacks: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Roatan Private Tour , Culture and Views Experience: $45
- Roatan VIP island tour: $45
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
- Walking Tour with Lunch & Ice Cream: $55
- Yacht tour with local guide & snorkeling activities: $57
- Highlights of Bonaire & Cultural Experience: $59
- Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour: $59
- Tour in North and South Bonaire Guided: $63
- Explore North & South Tour: $65
- Small-Group Guided North & South Tour of Bonaire with Pick Up: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoatan $6.56Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roatan Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Roatan or Bonaire?
Bonaire has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Roatan 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.