Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Bocas del Toro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or Bocas del Toro?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $77. 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 Belize City and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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: Belize City Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $160
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Philip Goldson Airport BZE to Belize Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Belize City to Philip Goldson Airport BZE Departure Transfer: $23
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$3.01
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
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $27Bocas del Toro $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
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$15
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Breakfast$14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Bocas del Toro $22
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Taste Bud EXPLOSION" Food Tasting City Tour : $89
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $167
- Actun Tunichil Muknal tour from Belize City: $200
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $170
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour: $100
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha, Monkey Sanctuary and Rum Factory Tour from Belize City: $170
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Full Day Tour: $190
- Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure Tour: $110
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$25
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Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
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Yoga Class$5.01
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Bocas del Toro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When comparing the travel costs between Belize City and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Bocas del Toro?
Belize City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Belize City 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 Belize City or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Belize City or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Belize City usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelize City 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Bocas del Toro. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Belize City usually gets more rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
Belize City is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelize City 26°C (80°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In January, Belize City usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Belize City is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelize City 24°C (74°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Belize City during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Belize City usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Belize City. In the spring, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
In April, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelize City 27°C (80°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Belize City
| Belize City | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.