Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?
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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Bocas del Toro 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: Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Bocas del Toro?
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Puerto Plata, nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, is a captivating destination known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. Whether you're arriving via the bustling Amber Cove cruise port or planning an extended stay, Puerto Plata offers a diverse range of experiences for every traveler.
Bocas del Toro
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
-
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Prices
Dominican Republic PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $231Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is $231, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $96. 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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $141Bocas del Toro $33
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $282Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Bocas del Toro? 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: Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $9.01Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Also for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer STI Airport: Taxi and Shuttle to Home: $300
- Puerto Plata to Rio San Juan transfer: $189
- Private Transfer from Santiago STI Airport to Santo Domingo: $160
- Puerto Plata Airport (POP)Puerto Plata/Cofresi-RoundTrip Transfer: $129
- Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Cabrera/Nagua - Round-Trip Transfer: $129
- Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Cabrera/Nagua - Round Trip Transfer: $129
- Private Transfer Puerto Plata to Cibao Airport: $128
- Puerto Plata VIP Transferencias y tours: $120
- Private Transfer from Cibao Airport (STI) to Puerto Plata Port: $117
- Private Transfer Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata: $115
- Private Transfer from Cibao International Airport to Puerto Plata: $110
- Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Puerto Plata - Round-Trip Transfer: $110
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
-
Water Taxi$3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) 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 dayAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $75Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
-
Lunch$15
-
Breakfast$14
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $40Bocas del Toro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
For Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Snorkeling Tour$42
-
Banana Boat Ride$5.96
-
Paragliding$51
-
1 Hr Kayak Rental$12
-
Water Skiing$18
Tours and Activities in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata).
- Puerto Plata: Wild, Wet & Furious Adventure: $165
- 2 Hours Buggy Adventure from Puerto Plata: $130
- 2 Person Buggy Tour: $126
- 27 Damajagua Waterfalls for Cruises (Taino Bay and Amber Cove): $59
- 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua – Adventure Tour from Puerto Plata: $75
- A Splash of Adventure: 27 Pools for Cruises, Hotels and Airbnb.: $70
- ATV 4 wheel from Amber Cove & Taino bay port silver Cruise port: $110
- ATV Adventure: $60
- ATV Adventure from Puerto Plata: $125
- ATV Adventure from Puerto Plata: $120
- ATV Combo and City Tour in Puerto Plata: $130
- ATV Tour Adventure in Puerto Plata - Double occupancy: $130
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Island Boat Tour$25
-
Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
-
Yoga Class$4.99
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $13Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is in Caribbean Islands and Bocas del Toro is in Central America, 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 Bocas del Toro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bocas del Toro 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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) than you might in Bocas del Toro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Bocas del Toro?
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Bocas del Toro, 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.