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

Should you visit Kingston or Boquete?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Boquete, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Kingston or Boquete?

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Kingston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $126, 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 Kingston and Boquete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $63
    Boquete $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $126
    Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Boquete

Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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 Kingston


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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Boquete $5.22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • Private Kingston Airport (KIN) Transfer for Kingston Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
  • MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels: $25
  • Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $33
  • Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
  • Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport To Ocho Rios Hotels: $45
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $45
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:

  • Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Boquete?

Prices for flights to both Boquete and Kingston 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
    Kingston $45
    Boquete $32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Boquete $17

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
  • Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
  • Judgement Yard Tour: $50
  • Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
  • Kingston Night Market Experience from Kingston: $55
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64

Tours and Activities in Boquete

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

  • Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $15
  • 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: $46
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
  • Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
  • Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Boquete $4.45

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:

  • Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Boquete, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Boquete 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 Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Boquete.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Boquete?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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.