Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Jakarta?
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 Jakarta 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 Jakarta 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: Jakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Jakarta
As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Jakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $73Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $73, 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 Jakarta and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $32Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $64Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta 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: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $20Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
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Taxi to Station$1.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $245
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $230
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regenc to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $196
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukarasa Kuningan Regency: $196
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $184
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regency: $184
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Garut Regency: $184
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukarasa Kuningan Regency: $184
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukaresmi Bandung: $175
- Private Airport Transfer Jakarta VIP Sedan : $153
- Private Airport Transfer Jakarta VIP Luxury Van: $141
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukarasa Bandung: $128
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 Jakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Jakarta 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 dayJakarta $28Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
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Dinner$2.62
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Dinner$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta
For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
- Jakarta Night Tour with Dinner at Café or Food street: $55
- Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
- Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
- Halfday Batavia by Night with dinner at Cafe Batavia & souvenir: $120
- Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120
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.Jakarta $12Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- 1 Day Jakarta Historical Tour : $75
- 1 Day Motorcycle Tour To Citorek Banten West Of Java: $177
- 4 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Tourist Attractions): $55
- 7 Hours Indonesia Cultural & Heritage Park Tour: $110
- Afternoon city tour Jakarta: $82
- Bandung City Tour Mountain Volcano and Hotspring ( Start From Jakarta): $154
- Batik Course & City Tour Jakarta: $60
- Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park Tourism ( TMII ): $135
- Bogor City Full-Day Private Tour from Jakarta with Pick Up: $160
- Bogor City Tour Nature waterfall with Local Food ( Start From Jakarta ): $130
- Bogor City Tour With a guide and lunch: $136
- City Tour Jakarta: $75
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.
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- 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
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJakarta $4.06Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jakarta 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 Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta 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 Jakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jakarta Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 860 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.
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.