A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Boquete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beijing or Boquete?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Boquete 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: Beijing or Boquete?

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.

Boquete

Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Beijing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $96, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Beijing and Boquete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $42
    Boquete $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $84
    Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Boquete

Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Boquete? 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.

Hotels in Beijing


Hotels in Boquete


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: Beijing Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beijing $8.22
    Boquete $5.22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $5.02
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.35
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.83
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.35
  • Metro
    $0.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
  • Datong:Hanging Temple Entry Ticket with Optional Transfer Service: $6.00
  • Ming Tombs Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided &Transfer Service: $7.79
  • Badaling Great Wall Entrance Ticket with Guide/Transfer Service: $9.50
  • Juyongguan Great Wall Entrance Ticket with Guide&Transfer Service: $9.90
  • Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
  • From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
  • Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $20
  • Beijing:Private One-Way Airport Transfer from Beijing City Center: $20
  • BusDa: Group/Private Round-trip Transfer to Great Wall of China: $20
  • Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
  • Morning Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:

  • Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Boquete?

Prices for flights to both Boquete and Beijing 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 day
    Beijing $36
    Boquete $32
Typical Food Prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.88
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.35
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.94
  • Watermelon
    $2.06
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $18
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.

  • Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $25
  • Beijing Food Tour: $40
  • Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
  • 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
  • Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private: $55
  • China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $26
    Boquete $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.83
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $63
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $10
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $18
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $18
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $12

Tours and Activities in Beijing

Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Entrance Tickets: Coal Hill Park, Beihai Park & Drum-Bell Towers: $2.50
  • Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
  • Forbidden City Ticket Booking: $2.90
  • Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
  • Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket Booking: $2.99
  • Jingshan Park Ticket - Panoramic Forbidden City View: $3.00
  • Forbidden City/Palace Museum and Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $3.00
  • Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
  • Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
  • Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
  • Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.99
  • Tiananmen Square Entry Reservation Ticket: $4.00

Tours and Activities in Boquete

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:

  • Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
  • Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $25
  • Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
  • Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
  • River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
  • Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
  • Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $55
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • Family experience in boiler Thermal wells and limestone: $65
  • Private E-Bike Tour in Scenic Views & Coffee Farms: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Boquete $4.45

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Boquete, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Boquete 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 Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Boquete.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Beijing or Boquete?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 1220 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Boquete, 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.