Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Quepos 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 Quepos and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Bocas del Toro?
Quepos
Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.
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 Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $117Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, 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 Quepos and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Bocas del Toro $33
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Quepos 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Quepos Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca: $220
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $90
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 from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Quepos 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 dayQuepos $30Bocas del Toro $27
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$15
-
Seafood Dinner (for 1)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
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.Quepos $17Bocas del Toro $22
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $130
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Boat Tour in Quepos: $55
- 3-Hour Damas Mangrove Kayak Tour: $90
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $90
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
- All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
- All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
- Canopy Tour From Manuel Antonio: $116
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$5.01
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: $66
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
- 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 dayQuepos $15Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Quepos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quepos 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 Quepos Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Bocas del Toro?
Bocas del Toro has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos 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 Quepos or Bocas del Toro?
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.
Should I visit Quepos or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos 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 summer. Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Quepos usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyQuepos 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Bocas del Toro. Quepos 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. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Quepos usually gets more rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
Quepos is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQuepos 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos 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. In January, Quepos usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Quepos is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQuepos 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Quepos during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos 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. Quepos usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Quepos. In the spring, Quepos often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
In April, Quepos is generally a little warmer than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilQuepos 29°C (85°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Quepos
| Quepos | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
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.