Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Cartagena and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Bocas del Toro?
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
Bocas del Toro
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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, 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 Cartagena and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cartagena Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $153
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $129
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $108
- Full-Day Beach at the Bora Bora Club with Transfer (Adults only): $105
- Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minivan: $93
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
- Cartagena International Airport - Private Transfer From or To Cartagena City: $91
- Cholon Island Tour with Transfer Service: $90
- Transfer High-end - Kia Quoris: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
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Water Taxi$3.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Cartagena 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 dayCartagena $10Bocas del Toro $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $43
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
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Lunch$15
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Breakfast$14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Bocas del Toro $22
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $90
- 2-Hour Tour of Getsemani Color and Art: $63
- 2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat: $26
- 4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena: $233
- 4X1 ADVENTURE-ISLAS, CHOLON, PLAYA Y PLANCTON desde cartagen: $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Island Boat Tour$25
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Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
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Yoga Class$5.01
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Bocas del Toro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cartagena is in South 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Bocas del Toro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bocas del Toro than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cartagena Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Bocas del Toro?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena 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.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Cartagena or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Cartagena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cartagena usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the summer, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
Cartagena is a little warmer than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Cartagena is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Bocas del Toro. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In January, Cartagena is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Cartagena is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
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.