Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Cancun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $148, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $77. 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 Cancun and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cancun or Bocas del Toro? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Cancun 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.
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cancun and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cancun is in North America and Bocas del Toro is in Central 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun 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 Cancun Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Cancun has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Cancun and Bocas del Toro, 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.