Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Tamarindo?
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 Tamarindo or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tamarindo or Bonaire, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Tamarindo or Bonaire?
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.
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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Tamarindo Prices
Costa Rica PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTamarindo $159Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Tamarindo is $159, 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 Tamarindo and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTamarindo $55Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTamarindo $110Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Tamarindo and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Tamarindo 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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tamarindo $76Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Costa Rica Private Guanacaste Airport (LIR) Departure transfer: $5.00
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $16
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Waldorf Astoria Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $16
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo: $20
- Convenient airport transfers from Liberia: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Secret Papagayo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $20
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 Tamarindo or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Tamarindo 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 dayTamarindo $62Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.
- Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $99
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.Tamarindo $19Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Paintball Experience near Tamarindo: $32
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
- Boat adventure with wildlife viewing in Tamarindo: $45
- Tamarindo Mangrove Tour: $46
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
- Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $48
- Conchal Beach Horseback Riding - 1hr 30min Guided Tour: $50
- Turtle Nesting Tour Playa Grande CR: $55
- Tamarindo wildlife Estuary boat ride tour 1 hour and 45 minutes: $62
- Prívate Beach tour at Guanacaste Province: $65
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $65
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 dayTamarindo $15Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Tamarindo
Also in Tamarindo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Puro Vino - Tamarindo's Wine Tour Ride: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamarindo and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tamarindo Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
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.