How much does it cost to travel to Bocas del Toro?
You should plan to spend around $77 (B/.77) per day on your vacation in Bocas del Toro. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $27 (B/.27) on meals
- $10 (B/.10) on local transportation
- $66 (B/.66) on hotels
A one week trip to Bocas del Toro for two people costs, on average, $1,075 (B/.1,072). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Bocas del Toro has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Bocas del Toro expensive to visit?
Bocas del Toro is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Panama, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Central America, Bocas del Toro is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to San Ignacio or Panama City.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Bocas del Toro?
The average Bocas del Toro trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bocas del Toro travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
B/.66
($66)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
B/.10
($10)
|
|
Food 2
|
B/.27
($27)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
B/.21
($22)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
B/.7 -
22
($7 - 22)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
B/.6 -
18
($6 - 18)
|
Accommodation Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Bocas del Toro is $33 (B/.33). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Bocas del Toro is $66 (B/.66). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Bocas del Toro is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $10 (B/.10) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bocas del Toro.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$10
B/.10
How much does it cost to go to Bocas del Toro? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Bocas del Toro will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Bocas del Toro are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Bocas del Toro, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Bocas del Toro can vary, the average cost of food in Bocas del Toro is $27 (B/.27) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Bocas del Toro should cost around $11 (B/.11) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Bocas del Toro is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$27
B/.27
Typical prices for Food in Bocas del Toro are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Bocas del Toro, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Lunch
B/.15
-
Breakfast
B/.14
Entertainment Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Bocas del Toro typically cost an average of $22 (B/.21) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$22
B/.21
Typical prices for Entertainment in Bocas del Toro are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Bocas del Toro, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Bocas del Toro is $141 (B/.141), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$141
B/.141
Alcohol Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 (B/.12) on alcoholic beverages in Bocas del Toro per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
B/.12
Water Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.24 (B/.1.23) on bottled water in Bocas del Toro per day. The public water in Bocas del Toro is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.24
B/.1.23
Bocas del Toro On a Budget
Bocas del Toro, Panama
The capital of the Bocas del Toro province, this city of the same name sits in the Caribbean West region of Panama. Bocas del Toro, or Bocas Town, is in the district of Bocas del Toro, which also includes the towns of Bastimentos, Cauchero, Punta Laurel, and Tierra Oscura. The district has a population of about 17,000 and covers a total area of 433.2 square kilometers, and the town has a population of about 13,000. The area is a tourist destination for its beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving, and interesting culture.
Bocas del Toro has a tropical rainforest climate. The driest months are usually October, January, and March, but there is no distinguishable dry season. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year with highs in the mid to high 80s Fahrenheit and lows in the low 70s Fahrenheit.
Sights
Most people travel to Bocas del Toro for the atmosphere and the environment. The town itself is lacking in specific sights, but the natural beauty of the setting and the plethora of activities are the true appeal of a visit to Bocas Town.
Neighborhoods
Bocas Town (also referred to as Bocas del Toro) is the capital and largest city in the Bocas del Toro district.
Bastimentos is found on its own island. The island is one of the largest in the area, 62 square kilometers, and the town has a population of almost 2,000. The area is more relaxed than Bocas Town and makes for a fun alternative.
Cauchero has a land area of 140.6 square kilometers and a population of about 2,500.
Punta Laurel has a land area of about 71.9 square kilometers and a population of almost 1,000.
Tierra Ocura has a land area of 88.6 square kilometers and a population of about 2,700.
Activities
There are a few reasons a person travels to Bocas del Toro. The area has some beautiful beaches, wonderful natural scenery, fun villages to explore, and plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities. It's a popular area to go and party and you can always be guaranteed a fun time at the town's bars and clubs. You can also book tours of the area that will take you out on the water to see dolphins, let you do some impressive snorkeling, and explore some off the beaten path beaches and villages. Most tours can be booked through your hotel, but if this isn't an option there are plenty of tour companies around town. If you plan to swim in the ocean, do use some caution as the waters can be rough, making it fun, but somewhat dangerous if you're not comfortable swimming in the ocean waters.
Scuba diving in Bocas del Toro is not famous, but is still impressive. The waters are calm and the aquatic life is impressive. There are four scuba operators in town to choose from. The options are essentially identical with each operator.
Other popular activities around town include surfing and fishing.
Food and Dining
There are plenty of places around town to grab food, both expensive and cheap. There are some great cafes that offer good, western style breakfasts. There are also plenty of pizza places around town which are cheap and good. Also, given the proximity to the water, there's plenty of seafood restaurants as well.
Transportation
You can travel into the area either via the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica or by traveling over the green mountains from Chiriqui. You'll want to catch a boat in either Almirante or Changuinola. From Costa Rica, the better option is Changuinola, but if you're coming to David, pick up the boat in Almirante. Alternatively, you can catch one of two flights that come to the area from Panama City daily. Four times a week there are also flights from San Jose, Costa Rica.
Once you reach the town of Bocas, you can easily explore it on foot. There are taxis available for about fifty cents a ride if you choose to go that route. Another fun way to explore the area is to rent a bicycle. This will cost you about $2 an hour or $10 for the whole day. The area is generally flat, making riding easy and smooth. You could also rent a scooter for about $70 a day. Water taxis are also available to Bastimentos.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.