Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Gatlinburg?
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 Gatlinburg or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Bonaire can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Bonaire?
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.
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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Gatlinburg Prices
USA PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGatlinburg $253Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Gatlinburg is $253, 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 Gatlinburg and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGatlinburg $80Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGatlinburg $160Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Gatlinburg and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg 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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gatlinburg $35Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:
- Airport Transfer Return Included: $80
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Port to Bonaire Airport (BON): $59
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Cruise Port to Kralendijk city : $59
- Private Transfers between Bonaire airport and any local address : $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Gatlinburg or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Gatlinburg 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 dayGatlinburg $148Bonaire $101
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste the Smokies Appalachian Inspired Cooking Classes: $115
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.Gatlinburg $24Bonaire $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- Great Smoky Mountains NP Driving Tour smartphone autoplay APP/GPS: $9.75
- Clingmans Dome Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket: $15
- Gatlinburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Admission Ticket in Pigeon Forge: $18
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Great Smoky Mountains: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pigeon Forge by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Gatlinburg Ghosts of The Smokies Most Haunted Tour: $25
- Great Smoky Mountains & Cades Cove Self-Guided Driving Tours: $25
Tours and Activities in Bonaire
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bonaire are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Kitesurfing Adventure: $265
- 4 Hours Open Air Party Bus Tour with Beach Stop in Caribbean: $39
- 4 hour Individual Island Tour for 1 to 12 persons: $180
- Aquaspace Sunset Sail and Snorkel Tour on Bonaire with Diner: $130
- Bonaire Cave Tour: Walk, Climb & Swim: $75
- Bonaire CaveTour Climb, Snorkel & Explore the Hidden Gems : $83
- Bonaire Essentials Island Tour: $49
- Bonaire Landsailing Adventures: $79
- Bonaire Shore Excursion: The Bonaire Highlights Tour: $83
- Bonaire island adventure: $110
- Discover Scuba Diving Experience: $164
- North & South Highlights Guided Group Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGatlinburg $15Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Gatlinburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Bonaire?
Bonaire has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg 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.