A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Plata vs. Bocas del Toro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Plata 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 La Plata and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Plata or Bocas del Toro?

La Plata

Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata 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 La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Plata or Bocas del Toro?

La Plata has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Bocas del Toro?

La Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit La Plata or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

La Plata is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

La Plata usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In January, La Plata usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toroin July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Plata or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?

Both Bocas del Toro and La Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.

In the autumn, La Plata is cooler than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Plata in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in October.

In the autumn, La Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toroin October. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.

Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Plata usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toroin October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Plata or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, La Plata is generally much colder than Bocas del Toroin January. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 12°C (53°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, La Plata usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toroin January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Plata or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Bocas del Toro. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.

La Plata is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.

In the spring, La Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toroin April. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. La Plata receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toroin April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and La Plata