Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Hanoi?
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 Hanoi or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Bocas del Toro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hanoi or Bocas del Toro?
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
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 Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Hanoi Prices
Vietnam PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $57Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $57, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $96. 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 Hanoi and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi 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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.54Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Cao Bang: $290
- Top-Rated Luxury Halong Bay 2-Day Cruise Including Hanoi Transfer: $285
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Vinh City: $281
- 25 Minutes Scenic Halong Seaplane from Hanoi Transfer Expressway: $280
- Halong Bay Cruise 3D2N - Kayaking Explorer & Round-trip transfer from Hanoi: $280
- Private Transfer by Dcar Limousine Ha Noi from to Sapa : $269
- Aspira Luxury Cruise Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay – 2D1N with Transfer: $269
- Private Sapa tour 3 days transfer from Hanoi by limousine overnight 3 star hotel: $264
- Luxury 2D1N Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay Cruise with 2-Way Transfer : $259
- Halong Bay Seaplane Tour with Transfer from Hanoi by expressway: $255
- Halong Bay 2 Days - 1 Night with 5 Star Cruise included transfer & pick up: $254
- Halong Bay Sightseeing With Seaplane Tour Transfer From Hanoi: $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$3.00
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 Hanoi or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Hanoi 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 dayHanoi $23Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
- Hanoi Old Quarter Cooking Class Tour With Local Market Shopping : $9.71
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Experience Guide & Real Foodie: $24
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
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.Hanoi $8.07Bocas del Toro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
- 2 Days Hanoi City Bus Tour Experience: $239
- 2-Day Ta Chi Nhu Mountain Hiking Experience: $228
- 2-day Explore Halong Bay in Caravella Cruise: $268
- 3D2N Cao Bang Ba Be Lake Experience: $190
- 3D2N Sapa Bac Ha Shared Tour: $245
- 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
- 5 Days Motorbike Tour in Ha Giang Loop From Hanoi: $265
- All-Inclusive 2D/1N 5star Cruises: Meals-Kayak-Cave-Accommodation : $175
- Ambassador Day Cruise: Discover The Beauty of Halong Bay: $101
- Bai Dinh Pagoda Trang An and Eco Hang Mua Cave Heritage Day Tour: $53
- Beautiful Female Riders Vespa Red River Countryside Tour 5 Hours: $59
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$4.99
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
- 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
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.30Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hanoi is in Asia 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 Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Bocas del Toro?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi 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 Hanoi 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 Hanoi or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Hanoi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Hanoi is a little warmer than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHanoi 29°C (84°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Hanoi is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHanoi 25°C (77°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Bocas del Toro. Hanoi 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. Hanoi usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Hanoi is generally cooler than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHanoi 17°C (63°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In April, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Hanoi is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHanoi 24°C (75°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Hanoi
| Hanoi | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.