Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cuenca and Bocas del Toro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Cuenca or Bocas del Toro?
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
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 Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, 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 Cuenca and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca 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: Cuenca Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $47
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 Cuenca or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Cuenca 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 dayCuenca $15Bocas del Toro $27
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
- Private Cooking Class: $125
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.Cuenca $16Bocas del Toro $22
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
- Azuay: San Bartolomé, Gualaceo, and Chordeleg Artisanal Tour: $63
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Giron and Yunguilla Jocotoco Reserve from Cuenca: $150
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cañari Bike Tour: $96
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $49
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $115
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 dayCuenca $14Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cuenca and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cuenca Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Bocas del Toro?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca 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 Cuenca 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 Cuenca or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Cuenca during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca 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. Cuenca usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCuenca 22°C (72°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca 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. In October, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Cuenca is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cuenca in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCuenca 12°C (54°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Bocas del Toro. Cuenca 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. Cuenca usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. In January, Cuenca is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 4°C (39°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCuenca 4°C (39°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca 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, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Cuenca is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCuenca 10°C (50°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Bocas del Toro | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.