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

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

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

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, 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 Mar del Plata and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 Mar del Plata.

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

Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Bocas del Toro?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Bocas del Toro?

Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Mar del 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.

In the summer, Mar del Plata is cooler than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mar del Plata in January average around 20°C (69°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 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, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toroin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

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

In April, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Bocas del Toroin October. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 15°C (59°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toroin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Mar del Plata is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toroin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In the spring, Mar del Plata is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mar del Plata in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toroin April. Mar del Plata gets 175 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. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toroin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 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 Mar del Plata