Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix?
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 Saint Croix, 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 Saint Croix?
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.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $77Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $236. 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 Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix? 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 Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10Saint Croix $35
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: $43
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix 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 $27Saint Croix $56
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $22Saint Croix $58
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: $233
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12Saint Croix $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bocas del Toro is in Central America and Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix 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 Bocas del Toro Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bocas del Toro in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as Saint Croix. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Bocas del Toro is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In April, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.