Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $77Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10Punta Arenas $1.80
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 Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $27Punta Arenas $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
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $22Punta Arenas $6.44
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
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
- Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
- Private City Cruise Tour: $225
- Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12Punta Arenas $4.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and Punta Arenas, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bocas del Toro is in Central America and Punta Arenas is in South 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Bocas del Toro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bocas del Toro than you might in Punta Arenas.
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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bocas del Toro or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Bocas del Toro and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Bocas del Toro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
In the summer, Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bocas del Toro in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. Bocas del Toro usually receives less sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. Bocas del Toro gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In July, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin January. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas and Bocas del Toro during the autumn 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.
In October, Bocas del Toro is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin April. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 26°C (79°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the autumn, Bocas del Toro often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin April. Bocas del Toro gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 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 October than Punta Arenasin April. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
It's quite cold in Punta Arenas in the winter. Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F)in July.
Bocas del Toro usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Bocas del Toro gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin July. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as Punta Arenas. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bocas del Toro in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in October.
In the spring, Bocas del Toro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenasin October. Bocas del Toro gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenasin October. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | Punta Arenas | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.