Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Leon?
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 Leon 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 Leon 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: Leon or Bocas del Toro?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy 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 The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Leon Prices
Nicaragua PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $68Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $68, 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 Leon and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Leon and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- From Granada: One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $39
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 Leon or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Leon 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 dayLeon $21Bocas del Toro $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Cooking Workshop in Nicaragua: $24
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $25
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.Leon $5.83Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $435
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $221
- A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $240
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $49
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $120
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Leon Colonial City Tour: $39
- Leon Nicaragua City Tour: $122
- Leon city: Walking tour by our landmarks.: $10
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$5.00
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
- Panama Jungle Trail Wildlife and Hidden Waterfall Adventure: $55
- 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
- Full-Day Bocas del Toro Catamaran Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour in Panama: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.54Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Bocas del Toro?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Leon 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 Leon or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Leon or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Leon often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Leon is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Leon or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bocas del Toro. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Leon usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Leon or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Bocas del Toro. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Leon usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
Leon is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Leon or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Leon is a little warmer than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Leon
| Leon | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
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.