Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Ghent?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ghent 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 Ghent 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: Ghent or Bocas del Toro?
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Ghent Prices
Belgium PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGhent €144Bocas del Toro €83
The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is €144, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is €83. 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 Ghent and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGhent €72Bocas del Toro €29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGhent €144Bocas del Toro €58
Compare Hotels in Ghent and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Ghent 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: Ghent Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ghent €19Bocas del Toro €8.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ghent
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
- Transfer Ghent Luxembourg (1 to 8 places): $250
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€2.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Ghent or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Ghent 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 dayGhent €60Bocas del Toro €40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking Food Tour in Ghent: $95
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $109
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€13
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Breakfast€12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ghent €8.64Bocas del Toro €18
Tours and Activities in Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- 2 Hour Private Historical Walking Tour to Discover Ghent: $211
- Best of Gent: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $53
- Brussels: Bruges & Ghent Tour w/ Cruise & Chocolate Tasting: $88
- Escape Tour Gent -selfguided citygame- and find the secret exit!: $35
- Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent: $3.50
- From Brussels: Private Tour of Bruges, Ghent and Flanders: $675
- From Brussels: Private Tour to Ghent’s Top Highlights: $195
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.50
- Gent Private Walking Tour with a Local: $47
- Ghent - Private Historic Walking Tour: $419
- Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour: $58
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€22
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Starfish Island Boat Trip€17
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Yoga Class€4.31
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Bocas del Toro Boat Tour Zapatilla Snorkeling and Island Hopping: $76
- Bocas del Toro Catamaran Day Tour with Sail Snorkel and Lunch: $89
- A Bocas Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkel Eco Tour: $100
- Bocas Del Toro Dolphin Bay, Chocolate Farm and Snorkel Tour: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGhent €18Bocas del Toro €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Ghent
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
- Brewery Visit in Ostend- Two 33cl Beers Included: $21
- Brewery Visit in Ostend- 3 Beers & Breughel Plate Experience: $41
- NEW Ghent Brewery Visit, Beer Tasting Tour & Chocolate Pairing: $88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Ghent is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ghent 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ghent or Bocas del Toro?
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent or Bocas del Toro?
Ghent 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 Ghent or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Bocas del Toro. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
In the summer, Ghent is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Ghent usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGhent 17°C (63°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
Both Bocas del Toro and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Ghent is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGhent 12°C (54°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
The weather in Ghent can be very cold. Ghent is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ghent usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGhent 3°C (38°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Bocas del Toro. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Ghent is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGhent 8°C (47°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Ghent
| Ghent | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.