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

Should you visit Montanita 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 Montanita 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: Montanita or Bocas del Toro?

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, 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 Montanita and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montanita 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 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Montanita 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 Montanita or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita 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 July, Montanita usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 25°C (78°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

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

Both Bocas del Toro and Montanita during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita 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. Montanita usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.

Montanita is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita 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 winter. In January, Montanita usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Montanita is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montanita in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).

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

The spring brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Bocas del Toro. Montanita 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. Montanita usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.

In April, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Montanita