Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Bocas del Toro?
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 Mombasa and Bocas del Toro. 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: Mombasa or Bocas del Toro?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, 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 Mombasa and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Mombasa Moi Int Airport Transfer: $160
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $142
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $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 Mombasa or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Bocas del Toro $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
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.Mombasa $18Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Group tour to Tsavo East National Park with Buffet Lunch: $160
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour From Diani Beach: $110
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- City Tour with Ghalib: $76
- Day Tour To Shimba Hill Reserve From Mombasa: $270
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Elky Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour: $180
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $144
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa: $107
- Full Day Mombasa City Tour with a Local Guide: $130
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162
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.
- A Bocas Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkel Eco Tour: $100
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bocas Del Toro Dolphin Bay, Chocolate Farm and Snorkel Tour: $119
- Bocas del Toro Boat Tour Zapatilla Snorkeling and Island Hopping: $76
- Bocas del Toro Catamaran Day Tour with Sail Snorkel and Lunch: $89
- 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
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Bocas del Toro?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa 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, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Bocas del Toro. Mombasa 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. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 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 Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa 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, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 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 Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa 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 Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 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 Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.