Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Pai?
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 Pai or Boracay?
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 Pai and Boracay. 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: Pai or Boracay?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesBoracay Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Boracay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $66. 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 Pai and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Pai and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Boracay? 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: Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
- Private Transfer from Boracay Port to Boracay Island Hotel: $59
- Private Transfer from Boracay Island Hotels Boracay Cruise Port: $59
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $58
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $34
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $23
- Caticlan: 1-Way or Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Boracay: $27
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $53
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Arrival Private Transfer : $24
- Two-way Shared Transfer from/to Airport to Hotel: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Pai 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 dayPai $42Boracay $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Inland Private Tour in E-Trike: $125
- 2-Hour Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $32
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $8.95
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $59
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay E-trike Land Tour: $23
- Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $85
- Boracay Island Hopping Experience: $63
- Boracay Island Hopping Tour with Hot Kawa Bath Experience: $30
- Boracay Island Hopping with Lunch+ Atv Mainland Adventure: $57
- Boracay Island Hopping+ Helmet Diving (Shared Tour): $63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Boracay, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Pai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pai than you might in Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
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.