Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Grande-Terre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro? 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: Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro?
Grande-Terre
Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.
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 Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrande-Terre €145Bocas del Toro €71
The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €145, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is €71. 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 Grande-Terre and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrande-Terre €82Bocas del Toro €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrande-Terre €164Bocas del Toro €62
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre 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: Grande-Terre Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grande-Terre €9.00Bocas del Toro €9.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- Departure Private Transfer from Saint-Francois to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $92
- Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer in Guadeloupe: $71
- Departure Private Transfer from Sainte-Anne to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $60
- Private Transfers (Airport, Port, Hotels) Guadeloupe : $54
- Departure Private Transfer from Le Gosier to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Departure Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $41
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
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€2.77
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 Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Grande-Terre 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 dayGrande-Terre €48Bocas del Toro €25
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€14
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Breakfast€13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grande-Terre €45Bocas del Toro €20
Tours and Activities in Grande-Terre
Here are a few actual costs in Grande-Terre for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- *Cruise Stopover* - Tropical Forest - Sainte-Anne Beach: $60
- Cruise Stopover at Village Sainte Anne and its Beach: $31
- Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
- Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $232
- Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $157
- Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
- Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $100
- Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
- Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $169
- Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
- Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49
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€23
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Starfish Island Boat Trip€18
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Yoga Class€4.61
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 dayGrande-Terre €12Bocas del Toro €11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands 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 Grande-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Grande-Terre during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 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 Grande-Terre. In the summer, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrande-Terre 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre 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. Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grande-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrande-Terre 27°C (80°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre 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. Grande-Terre usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 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 Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the winter, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In January, Grande-Terre is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrande-Terre 24°C (76°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre 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. It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In April, Grande-Terre usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 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 Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrande-Terre 26°C (78°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Grande-Terre
| Grande-Terre | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.