Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Malmo?
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 Malmo or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo or Bocas del Toro, 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: Malmo or Bocas del Toro?
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
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 from Stockholm, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Malmo Prices
Sweden PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $115Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $115, 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 Malmo and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $55Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $110Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Malmo 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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $9.11Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $168
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $106
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
- Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $58
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 Malmo or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Malmo 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 dayMalmo $51Bocas del Toro $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $72
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.Malmo $18Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
- Copenhagen and Hamlet Tour: $144
- Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $39
- Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Malmö Photography Tour: $67
- Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
- Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $73
- Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63
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$4.99
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalmo $41Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malmo and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Malmo is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malmo is in Europe 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 Bocas del Toro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bocas del Toro 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 Malmo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malmo than you might in Bocas del Toro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malmo Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or Bocas del Toro?
Malmo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Malmo 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 Malmo or Bocas del Toro?
Malmo 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 Malmo or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Malmo is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malmo usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Malmo usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Bocas del Toro. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
In the autumn, Malmo is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malmo in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In the autumn, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Malmo usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Malmo. In January, Malmo is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 0°C (32°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In January, Malmo usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Malmo during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Malmo is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In the spring, Malmo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malmo usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Malmo
| Malmo | Bocas del Toro | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.