Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Boquete?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boquete or Machu Picchu?
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 Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu?
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.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoquete $54Machu Picchu $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Boquete is $54, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $101. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoquete $23Machu Picchu $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoquete $46Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Boquete and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Boquete or Machu Picchu? 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: Boquete Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boquete $5.23Machu Picchu $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Boquete or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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
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Food Meals for one dayBoquete $18Machu Picchu $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boquete $17Machu Picchu $74
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Gardens of Mandor$2.71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoquete $4.46Machu Picchu $6.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boquete and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Boquete is in Central America and Machu Picchu 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 Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu than you might in Boquete.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boquete Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.