Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Florianopolis or Boquete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis or Boquete? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Florianopolis or Boquete?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
-
Florianopolis Prices
Brazil PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $78Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $78, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Florianopolis and Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Boquete $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or Boquete? 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13Boquete $5.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- Transfer Beto Carrero: $22
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $56
- Transfer Hotels in Florianópolis/Airport - private: $70
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú: $84
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $38Boquete $32
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Snack$0.44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26Boquete $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Florianopolis Walking Tour - History, Art and Gastronomy: $18
- Florianópolis city tour (full day): $22
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Discover Florianópolis: Full Day City Tour and Local Highlights: $32
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $38
- Panoramic Tour to Campeche Island & Lagoon of Conception: $39
- Balneário Camboriú tour and cable car ride from Florianópolis: $47
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Tour in Florianopolis: $70
- Sandboard Experience by Adrenailha: $70
- Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $74
- Florianopolis Bike Tour: Photography, History & Street Food: $90
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $55
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- Boquete Panoramic Tour: $200
- Boquete Rock climbing tour: $80
- Chasing Waterfalls Adventure in Boquete: $100
- Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
- Dirtbike adventure in Boquete (half day): $200
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
- Family experience in boiler Thermal wells and limestone: $65
- Fun Adventure at Finca CreaDora Cafe and Animals and Hiking: $35
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $95
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.69Boquete $4.45
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
-
Beer$0.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Boquete, we can see that Florianopolis is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis is in South America and Boquete 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 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 Florianopolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Boquete?
Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and Boquete, 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.
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.