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

Should you visit Liberia or Boquete?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia and Boquete. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Liberia or Boquete?

Liberia

Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.

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 Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, 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 Liberia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $113, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $54. 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 Liberia and Boquete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Liberia $60
    Boquete $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Liberia $120
    Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Boquete

Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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 Liberia


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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Liberia $43
    Boquete $5.24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:

  • Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $4.50
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $17
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $18
  • Private Transfer from Libera/Four Seasons Guanacaste Airport: $19
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
  • Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to JW Marriott//Pinilla: $25
  • Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Arrival Transfer: $31
  • Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
  • Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • 1-Way Transfer from Guanacaste Airport to Papagayo: $42
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Liberia Airport to Tamarindo/Westin: $44
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Boquete?

Prices for flights to both Boquete and Liberia 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
    Liberia $21
    Boquete $18
Typical Food Prices in Liberia

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


  • Snacks
    $1.98
  • Lunch at The Shack (for 1)
    $4.96
  • Lunch
    $11
  • Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)
    $14
  • Ginger Ale
    $1.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.

  • Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
  • Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Liberia $25
    Boquete $17

Tours and Activities in Liberia

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

  • Jet Ski Rentals, Banana Boat Rides, Jet Ski & Banana Boat Combo, Jet Ski Tours: $22
  • La Leona Waterfall Hiking Tour: $40
  • Private La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
  • Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
  • Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
  • La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45
  • La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
  • La leona Waterfall adventure hike: $45
  • Zip-line Adventure: $53
  • Horseback Riding at Diamante Eco Adventure Park: $56
  • Horseback Riding Tour: $59
  • Rincón de la Vieja Bird-Watching Tour: $62

Tours and Activities in Boquete

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

  • Schumann's BOTANICAL PARK TOUR: $30
  • Small Group Coffee Tour (Minimum 2 people): $40
  • Boquete Private 360° View Tour: $40
  • Self-Guided Half-Day Boquete Tour E-Bicycle: $46
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • 2-Hour Private Mezcal and Geisha Liqueur Tasting Experience: $65
  • The Local Flavors of Boquete E-Bike Tour (4 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $80
  • 3-Hour Private Tour to La Estrella Lake from Boquete on E Bike: $84
  • Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $90
  • 3-hour Private Tour to the Peque Doraz Butterfly Garden by Ebike: $90
  • E-Bike tour in Boquete and we culminate with a coffee experience: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Liberia $13
    Boquete $4.47


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Boquete, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Liberia or Boquete?

Liberia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Liberia 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.