Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 John?
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 John, 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 John?
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 John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 dayBocas del Toro $77Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10Saint John $49
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 Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 John $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $22Saint John $23
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 Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 John 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro or Saint John?
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 John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as Saint John. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Bocas del Toro is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Bocas del Toro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In October, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Saint John. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Bocas del Toro during the winter 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 John year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bocas del Toro in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Saint John. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Bocas del Toro is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.