Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Kathmandu?
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 Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Bocas del Toro?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
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 Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $59Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, 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 Kathmandu and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $38Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $76Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.56Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
- Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Everest Scenic Flight By Buddha Air with Free Hotel Transfers: $165
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or To Chitwan or To Lumbini & V V: $145
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Kathmandu to Manthali Private Transfer Service: $130
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $124
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
- Kathmandu to Bandipur One Way Transfer by Private AC Car : $85
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 Kathmandu or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Kathmandu 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 dayKathmandu $14Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.28
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Dinner for Two$2.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $8.00
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights in Kathmandu: $27
- Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu in Peace & quiet place: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Kathmandu Food Tour : $32
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $34
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
- Local Cooking Class in Chitwan with Local Style Wood Fire: $65
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.Kathmandu $7.58Bocas del Toro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.42
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.54
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.42
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
- 4-Hour Private Car Sunrise tour over Mount Everest in Nagarkot: $129
- Discover Kathmandu Valley: A Day Tour Through Time and Tradition: $96
- Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
- Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $180
- Nagarkot & Bhaktapur Tour with Private Transport: $60
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $116
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $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$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 dayKathmandu $5.45Bocas del Toro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Bocas del Toro?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.