Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Athens?
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 Athens or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Bocas del Toro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Bocas del Toro?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Bocas del Toro €83
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is €83. 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 Athens and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Bocas del Toro €29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Bocas del Toro €58
Compare Hotels in Athens and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Bocas del Toro €8.83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $575
- Private Transfer From Athens To Meteora - Kalabaka: $296
- Private Transfer through Athens Attractions at Night: $295
- Private Return Transfer to Cape Sounio: $295
- Private Transfer from Athens Airport to Epidaurus: $295
- Private Transfer from Athens Airport to Nafplio: $295
- Athens city Tour (4hrs) combined with Marine of Alimos transfers: $283
- Private Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Nafplio Cruise Port: $276
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $270
- Athens Airport Transfer From/To Nafplio: $259
- ATHENS HOTEL transfer to/from Piraeus Cruise Port (up to 14 pax): $259
- Athens Airport Transfer Service: $256
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
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Water Taxi€2.59
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 Athens or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Bocas del Toro €40
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Athens Food Tour (5+ Stops) - Full Meal Included by Do Eat Better: $65
- Classic Athens Food Tour with Local Drink & Market Visit: $70
- Acropolis Food Tour with a Local Friend: $77
- Athens's original vegan food tour: $77
- Athens Traditional Food Tour: $80
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $80
- Athens at Night Enchanting Walking Tour and Dinner Delights: $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $83
- Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings: $83
- Quick Greek Street Food Cooking Class in Athens: $88
- Greek Cooking Class near Poseidon’s Temple in Sounio with Antonia: $90
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
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Lunch€13
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Breakfast€12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Bocas del Toro €18
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- "All day tour of Athens-8h:Exploring its most popular landmarks": $256
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $176
- "Athens Night Experience - 4Hours": $168
- "Olive Oil Tasting Experience & Tour in Corinth": $200
- 2 Day Meteora Monasteries Tour with Sunset Off Road Buggy: $206
- 2 Day Tour To The Best Places Of Peloponnese: $295
- 2 Hour Express Athens City Tour (Private): $171
- 2 days Spanish guided tour in Delphi and Meteora: $295
- 2-Day Delphi & Meteora Tour from Athens with Hotel & Guided Tour: $271
- 2-Day Tour to Delphi & Meteora with Guide and Tickets From Athens: $271
- 3 Hour Private Scuba Diving Experience: $151
- 3 Island Cruise from Athens Unlimited Food Wine and Scenic Views: $206
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Island Boat Tour€22
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Starfish Island Boat Trip€17
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Yoga Class€4.31
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- A Bocas Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkel Eco Tour: $100
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bocas Del Toro Dolphin Bay, Chocolate Farm and Snorkel Tour: $119
- Bocas del Toro Boat Tour Zapatilla Snorkeling and Island Hopping: $76
- Bocas del Toro Catamaran Day Tour with Sail Snorkel and Lunch: $89
- 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
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Bocas del Toro €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $12
- Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $13
- Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $17
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $22
- Athens Olive Oil and Herbs Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $24
- Thursday & Friday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens: $25
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $28
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
- Organic and Vegan Indigenous Wine Tasting Private Experience: $47
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $58
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $58
- Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Bocas del Toro?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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.
When is the best time to visit Athens or Bocas del Toro?
Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Athens or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Athens or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
Both Bocas del Toro and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Athens is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Athens or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Bocas del Toro. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Athens is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Athens usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Athens or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Bocas del Toro. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
In April, Athens is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Athens usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Athens
| Athens | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
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.