Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Bocas del Toro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $77Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Bocas del Toro and Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt? 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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices and Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10Puerto Montt $6.43
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:
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $300
- Transfer Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $277
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Frutillar: $80
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt and Bocas del Toro 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 dayBocas del Toro $27Puerto Montt $21
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.Bocas del Toro $22Puerto Montt $14
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.
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Private Day tour Petrohue Falls, Osorno Volcano & Puerto Varas: $250
- Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar: $143
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Vicente Peres Rosales National Park: $164
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12Puerto Montt $4.49
When comparing the travel costs between Bocas del Toro and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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. Even though Bocas del Toro is in Central America and Puerto Montt is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bocas del Toro Expensive? and Is Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Bocas del Toro and Puerto Montt, 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 Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt 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 Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt in the Summer?
Both Puerto Montt and Bocas del Toro during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the summer. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
In Puerto Montt, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bocas del Toro often gets less sunshine than Puerto Monttin January. Bocas del Toro gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Monttin January. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and Puerto Montt. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In the autumn, Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bocas del Toro in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
Bocas del Toro usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during autumn. Bocas del Toro gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Puerto Monttin April. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as Puerto Montt. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Bocas del Toro is generally much warmer than Puerto Monttin July. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Bocas del Toro often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin July. Bocas del Toro gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Monttin July. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt and Bocas del Toro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the spring. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
Bocas del Toro usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during spring. Bocas del Toro gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In April, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Puerto Monttin October. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | Puerto Montt | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.