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

Should you visit Mandeville or Bocas del Toro?

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Bocas del Toro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Mandeville or Bocas del Toro?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.

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 Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.

When comparing the travel costs between Mandeville and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Mandeville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Bocas del Toro is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Bocas del Toro?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Bocas del Toro?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Mandeville or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville 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 summer. In July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Mandeville or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Bocas del Toro. Mandeville 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. Mandeville receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mandeville usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Mandeville or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?

Both Bocas del Toro and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville 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 January, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Mandeville or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?

Both Bocas del Toro and Mandeville during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville 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. Mandeville usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the spring, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Mandeville