Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro?
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 dayGuayaquil $95Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, 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 Guayaquil and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil 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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
- Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $98
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
- Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
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:
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Guayaquil 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 dayGuayaquil $29Bocas del Toro $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185
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.Guayaquil $21Bocas del Toro $22
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour at Hacienda CacaoyMango: $155
- Dolphin Watching Experience in Puerto El Morro from Guayaquil: $165
- Exclusive private luxury cocoa experience: $187
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $159
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- Full Day Ayangue Tour with Snorkeling in The Pelado's Islote: $295
- Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
- Full Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $263
- Full day private tour Mangroves, dolphins and birds from guayaquil : $215
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.
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Bocas del Toro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guayaquil 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 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 Guayaquil would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil 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 summer. Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Guayaquil is generally cooler than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Bocas del Toro. Guayaquil 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. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Guayaquil is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil. In January, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guayaquil in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Guayaquil during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Guayaquil is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Bocas del Toro | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.