A Travel Price Comparison for Panama Panama City vs. Bocas del Toro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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

Where Should I go: Panama City or Bocas del Toro?

Panama City

Panama City is the cosmopolitan capital city of the country of Panama. With a population of almost 900,000 and almost 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it's a very diverse city with expat residents from all over the world. You don't have to search far to find someone who speaks English, and many Panamanians are quite helpful and friendly.

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 Budget Tours to Panama, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Panama City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $87, 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 Panama City and Bocas del Toro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Panama City $35
    Bocas del Toro $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Panama City $70
    Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Bocas del Toro

Looking for a hotel in Panama City 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.

Hotels in Panama City


Hotels in Bocas del Toro


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: Panama City Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Panama City $11
    Bocas del Toro $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Embera Indian Village Tour w/ Airport Transfer: $290
  • Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): Private Transfer to Coronado: $274
  • Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): Transfer to Decameron hotels: $269
  • Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
  • Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
  • Half-Day City & Canal Tour w/ Airport Transfer: $215
  • Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $209
  • Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts : $209
  • Transfer in private minivan from Panama Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca-Farallon: $160
  • Skip the Line: Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket with Transfer: $155
  • Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Tocumen Airport in Playa Bonita: $140
  • Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $138

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro

Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
  • Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
  • Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Bocas del Toro?

Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Panama City 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Panama City $21
    Bocas del Toro $27
Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • Sandwich
    $8.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City

For Panama City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3-hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $55
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class : $85
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
  • The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour: $200

Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:


  • Lunch
    $15
  • Breakfast
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Panama City $66
    Bocas del Toro $22

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • City Tour y Canal de Panamá: $40
  • Panama Canal locks (Miraflores ) and The Casco Viejo walking tour: $67
  • #1 Walking Tour in Casco Viejo, Panama Canal Museum & Lunch : $77
  • "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour " : $100
  • 2 Hours Tour to Panama La Vieja for Groups: $140
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City: $270
  • 3 Hours Private Photo Tour in Casco Antiguo: $90
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in Panama La Vieja: $45
  • 4-Hour Gatun Lake Boat Tour and Jungle Wildlife: $99
  • 4-Hour Private Panama City Tour: $100
  • 5-Hour Tour in Agua Clara New Locks: $100
  • 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro

For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Island Boat Tour
    $25
  • Starfish Island Boat Trip
    $20
  • Yoga Class
    $5.02

Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.

  • Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $65
  • Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $235
  • Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
  • Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Panama City $18
    Bocas del Toro $12


When comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Panama City or Bocas del Toro?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Panama City 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.