Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Negril 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.
Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $77. 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 Negril and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Negril 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Negril 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.
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands 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 Negril would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Negril 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 Negril Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Bocas del Toro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril 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.
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.
Both Bocas del Toro and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril 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. It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
Negril is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Both Bocas del Toro and Negril during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril 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 Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Negril is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril 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, Negril usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Bocas del Toro. Negril 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. Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
Negril is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Negril | Bocas del Toro | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |