Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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: Carmel-by-the-Sea or Bonaire?
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.
Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.
If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.
If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea Prices
USA PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCarmel-by-the-Sea $0.00Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $0.00, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCarmel-by-the-Sea -Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCarmel-by-the-Sea $0.00Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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: Carmel-by-the-Sea Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Carmel-by-the-Sea $125Bonaire $65
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 dayCarmel-by-the-Sea $264Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Old Monterey Walking Food Tour: $164
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.Carmel-by-the-Sea -Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Carmel-by-the-Sea are as follows:
- Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Carmel Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Carmel on Foot Audio Tour: Courtyards, Artists & Ocean Views: $9.99
- Scenic Path A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Driving the California Coast: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel: $15
- Point Lobos - A Private Charming Ocean Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1: $20
- Carmel Tour in The Heavenly 17 Mile Drive: $30
- Mist, Mayhem, & Murder: Monterey Ghost Tours: $32
- Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California: $35
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 dayCarmel-by-the-Sea -Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
- Wine Tasting Tours in a Vintage VW Bus: $139
- Carmel Valley Village: Wine Tasting Tours in a 1970 VW bus.: $139
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Carmel Valley Wine Tour's Premium Package: $245
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Bonaire?
Bonaire has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.