Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Huaraz and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Bocas del Toro?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, 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 dayHuaraz $50Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, 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 Huaraz and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
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:
- 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 Huaraz or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $18Bocas del Toro $27
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
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.Huaraz $19Bocas del Toro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-day tour to Parón, Llanganuco and Laguna 69 from Huaraz: $150
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
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.
- 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 dayHuaraz $15Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Bocas del Toro?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Huaraz during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz 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. Huaraz usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the summer. In the summer, Huaraz is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huaraz in July average around 3°C (37°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz 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. In October, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In October, Huaraz is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 4°C (39°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Bocas del Toro. Huaraz 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. Huaraz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Huaraz usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Huaraz is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz 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. In April, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Huaraz is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huaraz in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Bocas del Toro | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.