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

Should you visit Boquete or Paracas?

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 Paracas 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 Paracas?

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.

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Boquete?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Boquete Prices
    Panama Prices
    Paracas Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Boquete $67
    Paracas $84

The average daily cost (per person) in Boquete is $67, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $84. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boquete $22
    Paracas $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boquete $44
    Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in Boquete and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Boquete or Paracas? 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 Paracas


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 Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boquete $5.21
    Paracas $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $220
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Boquete or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $32
    Paracas $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boquete $17
    Paracas $26

Tours and Activities in Boquete

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

  • Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
  • Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
  • Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
  • Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
  • Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
  • Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour : $40
  • Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $45
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • Boquete E-bike Panoramic Tour: $65
  • Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $65
  • Guided E-Bike Panoramic Tour: $75

Tours and Activities in Paracas

Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $15
  • Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
  • Ballestas Islands: Peru’s Natural Paradise boat tour: $16
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
  • speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
  • From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
  • Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
  • Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $20
  • Tour Ballestas Islands: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boquete $4.44
    Paracas $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boquete and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 Paracas 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas 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 Paracas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Boquete or Paracas?

Boquete has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Boquete and Paracas, 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.