Which place is cheaper, San Miguel de Tucuman or Bocas del Toro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bocas del Toro or San Miguel de Tucuman?
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 San Miguel de Tucuman, 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 San Miguel de Tucuman?
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.
San Miguel de Tucuman
The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $77San Miguel de Tucuman $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, while the average daily cost in San Miguel de Tucuman is $11. 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 San Miguel de Tucuman in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33San Miguel de Tucuman $4.85
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66San Miguel de Tucuman $9.70
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and San Miguel de Tucuman
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro or San Miguel de Tucuman? 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 San Miguel de Tucuman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10San Miguel de Tucuman $3.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
-
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Miguel de Tucuman
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Miguel de Tucuman:
-
Taxi Ride$0.01
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or San Miguel de Tucuman?
Prices for flights to both San Miguel de Tucuman 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
-
Food Meals for one dayBocas del Toro $27San Miguel de Tucuman $4.01
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
-
Lunch$15
-
Breakfast$14
Typical Food Prices in San Miguel de Tucuman
For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Sandwich$0.01
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $22San Miguel de Tucuman $3.30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Island Boat Tour$25
-
Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
-
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 San Miguel de Tucuman
For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $82
- Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
- Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $82
- Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $51
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12San Miguel de Tucuman $2.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and San Miguel de Tucuman, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is San Miguel de Tucuman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bocas del Toro is in Central America and San Miguel de Tucuman 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 San Miguel de Tucuman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Miguel de Tucuman 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 San Miguel de Tucuman.
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 San Miguel de Tucuman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bocas del Toro or San Miguel de Tucuman?
San Miguel de Tucuman has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Bocas del Toro and San Miguel de Tucuman, 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.
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.