A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Bocas del Toro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Bocas del Toro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Bocas del Toro 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: Cesis or Bocas del Toro?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

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 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis is in Europe 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis 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 Cesis Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Bocas del Toro?

Cesis has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Cesis 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 Cesis or Bocas del Toro?

Cesis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.

Cesis is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cesis usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Bocas del Toro. The autumn months attract visitors to Cesis because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Cesis is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Bocas del Toro. The cuisine are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Cesis in the winter. In January, Cesis is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?

Both Bocas del Toro and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cesis is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Cesis