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

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

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.

When comparing the travel costs between Piriapolis and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro 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. Even though Piriapolis is in South America and Bocas del Toro is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Bocas del Toro?

Bocas del Toro has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Bocas del Toro?

Piriapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Piriapolis or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Piriapolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.

In January, Piriapolis is generally cooler than Bocas del Toroin July. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 23°C (73°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Piriapolis. In the summer, Piriapolis often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toroin July. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.

Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toroin July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Piriapolis is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

Piriapolis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro during autumn. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toroin October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Bocas del Toro. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.

In the winter, Piriapolis is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piriapolis in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In the winter, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toroin January. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toroin January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Bocas del Toro and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Bocas del Toroin April. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 16°C (61°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piriapolis. Piriapolis usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In October, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toroin April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Piriapolis