A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kathmandu vs. Boquete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kathmandu or Boquete?

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 Boquete 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 Boquete?

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.

Boquete

Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kathmandu Prices
    Nepal Prices
    Boquete Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kathmandu $59
    Boquete $67

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Boquete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Boquete $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Boquete

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Boquete? 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.

Hotels in Kathmandu


Hotels in Boquete


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 Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.56
    Boquete $5.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
  • Private Airport Transfers – TIA Kathmandu Arrival & Departure: $15
  • Mount Everest Scenic Tour by Plane with Transfers: $15
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
  • Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
  • Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer : $25
  • Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
  • Kathmandu to Namobuddha Transfer by Private AC Car One Way: $50
  • Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
  • Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Private AC Car One Way: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Boquete?

Prices for flights to both Boquete 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kathmandu $14
    Boquete $32
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.28
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.58
    Boquete $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.42
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.54
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.42

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
  • Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
  • Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $5.00
  • Bhaktapur & Nagarkot Day Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
  • Scenic Swayambhunath & Chandragiri Cable Car Tour: $5.00
  • Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
  • Nepali Tea Tasting Lifetime Experience : $8.00
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square Walking Tour: $10
  • Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour. : $10
  • Walking Tour from Bazaar to Hippie Hub Ason and Freak Street: $10
  • Privet Day Tours in Kathmandu Nepal : $10
  • Private Kathmandu City Tour/ 7 UNESCO World Heritage Tour : $10

Tours and Activities in Boquete

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:

  • Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
  • Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
  • Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
  • Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
  • Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
  • Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour : $40
  • Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $45
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • Boquete E-bike Panoramic Tour: $65
  • Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $65
  • Guided E-Bike Panoramic Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.45
    Boquete $4.44

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 comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Boquete, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kathmandu is in Asia and Boquete is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Boquete?

Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Boquete, 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.