Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Merida?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Merida or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida 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: Merida or Bonaire?
Merida
Merida is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. It is also the capital of the state of Yucatan as a whole. There is a population of 750,000 and is very rich in diversity and culture.
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 Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
-
Merida Prices
Mexico PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, 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 Merida and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Bonaire $155
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Merida and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Merida 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: Merida Hotel Prices and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from/to Merida Airport: $11
- Private Transfer from Merida Airport(MID): $17
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer from Merida Rejon Airport (MID) to Progreso Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Merida city hotels to Progreso Cruise Port: $134
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $155
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
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 Merida or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Merida 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMerida $46Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Nandayo Food Tour: $39
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated : $44
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef : $56
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $64
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $86
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $102
- Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $154
- Wonders of the Mayab: Chichen Itza, Yokdzonot Cenote & Cooking Class: $237
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Bonaire $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Train at the Zoo$0.11
-
Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
-
Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.43
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Merida with 2 Routes: $8.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Chichen Itza, the Greatness of the Mayas: $10
- Uxmal Ruins Guided Tour with a Certified Guide: $16
- Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Tour of Downtown Merida: $17
- Walking Tour Across the Historic Center in Merida: $22
- Uxmal Archeological Site Guided Walking Tour with Entry Fee: $28
- Mike&Duck Walking Tour Merida: $30
- Mérida Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Yucatan Cuisine Tasting Tour Merida : $35
- Private Merida Tour on a Budget - Best Rated : $37
- Private Tour Guide in Merida, 100% customisable : $39
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Merida, you choose!: $39
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Merida
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Merida:
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting | Tour y Degustación de Cerveza: $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida 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 Merida would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merida 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 Merida.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Bonaire?
Merida has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Merida 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.