Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Zadar?
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 Zadar or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Zadar 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: Zadar or Bonaire?
Zadar
You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.
The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.
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 Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.
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Zadar Prices
Croatia PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZadar $129Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Zadar is $129, 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 Zadar and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZadar $60Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZadar $120Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Zadar and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Zadar 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: Zadar Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zadar $11Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
- Modern bus transfer between Dubrovnik and Zadar: $40
- Private Transfer from Zadar Hotels to Zadar Airport: $55
- Zrmanja River Kayaking, with optional transfer from Zadar: $66
- Private Transfer from Borik Zadar to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $67
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Borik Zadar: $67
- Private Transfer from Zadar City to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $67
- Transfer From Zadar Airport to Town Zadar: $67
- Transfer from Zadar airport to Vir: $69
- Private Transfers to Airports & Top Destinations: $72
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Biograd Na Moru: $74
- Zadar Private Transfers to or from any location: $80
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Zadar City: $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:
- Private Transfers between Bonaire airport and any local address : $40
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Port to Bonaire Airport (BON): $59
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Cruise Port to Kralendijk city : $59
- Airport Transfer Return Included: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Zadar or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Zadar 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 dayZadar $57Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
- Morning Zadar Food Tour: $142
- Preko Cooking Class and Shellfishing Experience with a Local: $190
- Gourmet Sunset dinner on board: $239
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
- Discover the Flavors of Bonaire with the Bonaire Snack Food Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zadar $23Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
- Local Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of Zadar's Medieval Heart: $12
- Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour: $18
- Zadar Old Town Walking Tour: $18
- Zadar Walking Tour sponsored by Gligora Cheese and deli.: $18
- Look Around Zadar - Don't Look Up: Cinematic and Musical Sunset Walking Tour: $19
- Islands Tour in Zadar by Speedboat: $23
- Sunset boat Tour in Zadar: $24
- Half Day Island Hopping Tour With Snorkeling : $24
- The Ultimate Zadar Walking Tour: $24
- 3 Island Tour Swim and Snorkel with Drinks on Traditional Boat: $24
- Island half day tour : $25
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
- Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour: $59
- Highlights of Bonaire & Cultural Experience: $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 dayZadar $14Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brlog Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting : $30
- Guided Speedboat Tour with Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $42
- Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $78
- City Tour with Educational Beer Tour in Brlog Brewery: $94
- City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $107
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zadar and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Zadar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zadar is in Europe 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 Zadar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zadar 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 Zadar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zadar Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zadar or Bonaire?
Zadar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Zadar 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.