Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Tulum?
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 Tulum or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Bonaire can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Bonaire?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $140Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $140, 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 Tulum and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $57Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $114Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $27Bonaire $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Transfer from Hotel and Airbnb to Tulum Airport: $63
- Tulum Airport Private Transfer to Hotels and Airbnbs: $73
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $81
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $112
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $118
- Tulum Airport to Riviera Maya Private Transfer: $120
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer Tulum to Chiquila Holbox with Flexible Stops: $138
- One way private transfer Bahia Principe area: $145
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $155
- Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe & Comfortable: $158
- Tulum Archaeological Zone and El Jaguar Park, with Transfer and Lunch: $163
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 Tulum or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Tulum 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 dayTulum $57Bonaire $101
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $87
- Yucatecan cooking class with a local chef in Tulum: $89
- Tortilla & Taco Cooking Class – Mexican Cuisine from scratch: $93
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $96
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $100
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $138
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class, Cenote and Coba Ruins: $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299
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.Tulum $30Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Tickets to 4 cenotes turtle house 2 caverns and 2 outdoors: $15
- Tulum Cenote Tour 5 Cenotes and Awaken Your Senses: $29
- Cenotes Casa Tortuga Guide Tour with Ticket: $29
- Cancun: ATV Jungle Adventure, Cenote and Tulum Ruins Tour: $32
- Tulum Extreme Mayan Adventure with ATV, Zipline and Cenote: $38
- Tulum Area Experiences E-Bike Daily Rental: $45
- From Cenote Tour with Mayan Ceremony & Buffet Brunch: $52
- Chichen Itza Basic Tour With Chihikan Swim & Valladolidfrom Tulum: $54
- Chichén Itzá, Cenote Chichikan & Valladolid Tour from Tulum Bal: $55
- Chichén Itzá Tour+Cenote Chichikan & Valladolid From Tulum Bal: $55
- Chichen, Cenote Chichikan & Valladolidbal Tour From Tulum: $55
- Tour Chichen Itza One ofthe Seven Wonders & Chichikan- from Tulum: $55
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
- Small-Group Guided North & South Tour of Bonaire with Pick Up: $65
- Explore North & South Tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $24Bonaire $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Bonaire?
Bonaire has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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.