Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara or Boquete?
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 Pokhara and Boquete can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Boquete?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $22Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Pokhara and Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.44Boquete $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.88Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Boquete? 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.71Boquete $5.22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike With Transfers: $45
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: Premium Private Car Transfer: $130
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $12Boquete $32
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$3.95
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Dessert (for 2)$2.64
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Pastries$1.32
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Dinner$5.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River: $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
- Full-Day Pokhara Private Couples Romantic Getaway with Dinner: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.39Boquete $17
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $8.40
- Pokhara to Chitwan Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Bandipur to Chitwan Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $9.50
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- Chitwan: to Kathmandu/Pokhara Tourist Bus luxurious Sofa: $12
- Kathmandu: to Chitwan By Luxurious Sofa Tourist Bus or Back: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $12
- Bandipur to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $13
- Tourist Bus: Chitwan to Pokhara or Pokhara to Chitwan: $14
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Coffee Tasting Experience Los Molinos Hotel Panama's Top Product: $25
- Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $25
- Fun Adventure at Finca CreaDora Cafe and Animals and Hiking: $35
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $55
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
- River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
- Family experience in boiler Thermal wells and limestone: $65
- Private E-Bike Tour in Scenic Views & Coffee Farms: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.77Boquete $4.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Boquete, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pokhara is in Asia and Boquete 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 Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Boquete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boquete than you might in Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Boquete?
Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Boquete, 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.
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.