A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Boquete vs. Humahuaca for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Boquete or Humahuaca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Boquete and Humahuaca can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Boquete or Humahuaca?

Boquete

Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.

Humahuaca

Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular SerranĂ­a de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Humahuaca or Boquete?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Boquete is $54, while the average daily cost in Humahuaca is $6.72. 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 Boquete and Humahuaca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boquete $23
    Humahuaca $2.41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boquete $46
    Humahuaca $4.82
Compare Hotels in Boquete and Humahuaca

Looking for a hotel in Boquete or Humahuaca? 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.

Hotels in Boquete


Hotels in Humahuaca


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: Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boquete $5.23
    Humahuaca $2.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Humahuaca

Also for Humahuaca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Salta: 2-Day Cachi and Humahuaca Tour with Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Boquete or Humahuaca?

Prices for flights to both Humahuaca and Boquete 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 day
    Boquete $18
    Humahuaca $2.63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boquete $17
    Humahuaca $2.56

Tours and Activities in Boquete

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:

  • 2-Hour Private Mezcal and Geisha Liqueur Tasting Experience: $65
  • 3-Hour Private Tour to La Estrella Lake from Boquete on E Bike: $84
  • 3-hour Private Tour to the Peque Doraz Butterfly Garden by Ebike: $90
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • Boquete Panoramic Tour: $200
  • Boquete Private 360° View Tour: $40
  • Dirtbike adventure in Boquete (half day): $165
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $90
  • Private honey tasting bike tour and butterfly garden walk: $130
  • Schumann's BOTANICAL PARK TOUR: $30
  • Self-Guided Half-Day Boquete Tour E-Bicycle: $46

Tours and Activities in Humahuaca

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.

  • Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boquete $4.46
    Humahuaca $1.16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boquete and Humahuaca, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. And not only is Humahuaca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Boquete is in Central America and Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Humahuaca 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 Boquete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boquete than you might in Humahuaca.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boquete Expensive? and Is Humahuaca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Boquete or Humahuaca?

Humahuaca has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Boquete and Humahuaca, 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.