Which place is cheaper, Santiago 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 Santiago?
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 Santiago, 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
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 in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $77Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10Santiago $5.41
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $237
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
- Santiago Private Transfer: Santiago Airport to San Antonio Cruise Port : $216
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $27Santiago $13
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 Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $22Santiago $47
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 Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $270
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago 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 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bocas del Toro or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Bocas del Toro and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
Santiago 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 Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago 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 a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In the autumn, Bocas del Toro is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bocas del Toro in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as Santiago. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Bocas del Toro is generally much warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in January than Santiagoin July. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago 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 Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In April, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.