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

Should you visit Boquete or Valparaiso?

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 Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?

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.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso is $66. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boquete $23
    Valparaiso $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boquete $46
    Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in Boquete and Valparaiso

Looking for a hotel in Boquete or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso


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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boquete $5.23
    Valparaiso $4.83

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $76
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $81
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $81
  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $107
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $156
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $236
  • World Biggest Organic Winery Emiliana, Valparaiso & Transfer : $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Boquete or Valparaiso?

Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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
    Valparaiso $22

Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.89

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.

  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boquete $17
    Valparaiso $18

Tours and Activities in Boquete

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

  • Schumann's BOTANICAL PARK TOUR: $30
  • Small Group Coffee Tour (Minimum 2 people): $40
  • Boquete Private 360° View Tour: $40
  • Self-Guided Half-Day Boquete Tour E-Bicycle: $46
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • 2-Hour Private Mezcal and Geisha Liqueur Tasting Experience: $65
  • The Local Flavors of Boquete E-Bike Tour (4 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $80
  • 3-Hour Private Tour to La Estrella Lake from Boquete on E Bike: $84
  • Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $90
  • 3-hour Private Tour to the Peque Doraz Butterfly Garden by Ebike: $90
  • Private honey tasting bike tour and butterfly garden walk: $130

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.19

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

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

  • Valparaiso Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $32
  • Citybus Tour from Valparaíso (Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón): $33
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • Learn Urban Sketching while you tour Valparaíso: $35
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Walking Tour of Valparaiso and the House of Neruda La Sebastiana: $38
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Valparaiso: $49
  • Private walking tour in Valparaíso: $55
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
  • Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boquete $4.46
    Valparaiso $7.79

Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaíso: $166
  • Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $255


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


Which is Bigger, Boquete or Valparaiso?

Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Boquete and Valparaiso, 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.