Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Rome?
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 Rome or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Bocas del Toro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rome or Bocas del Toro?
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Rome Prices
Italy PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome €207Bocas del Toro €83
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €207, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is €83. 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 Rome and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome €90Bocas del Toro €29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome €180Bocas del Toro €58
Compare Hotels in Rome and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Rome 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: Rome Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome €21Bocas del Toro €8.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)€2.00
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Train to the Airport€15
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Taxi to Airport€45
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)€10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Transfer from Rome to the Beverello pier (Naples): $299
- Civitavecchia DA transfer and vice versa: $297
- Transfer services from airports to rome for up to 4 persons: $295
- Private transfer from Rome to S. Felice Circeo, Sabaudia or Terracina: $295
- Transfer from Rome Hotel to Civitavecchia Cruise Port and vice versa: $295
- Transfer from Rome FIUMICINO AIRPORT to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $295
- Private Express Tour of Roman Catacombs with Transfer: $294
- Private transfer from Roma to Civitavecchia port: $294
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Saturnia - Arrival Private Transfer: $289
- Private Luxury Transfer to the Famous Points of Rome center: $285
- Civitavecchia Port Private Transfer to/from Rome City & Airport: $283
- Rome Private Transfer from Rome city centre to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $272
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
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Water Taxi€2.59
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Rome 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 dayRome €84Bocas del Toro €40
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€14
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches€2.99
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Cafe e doce€4.00
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Pizza (Fast Food)€2.65
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)€32
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Cheese and bread€10
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Espresso€2.00
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Dinner€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
- Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $40
- Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
- Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $46
- Rome Food Tour: Tastings in the Jewish Ghetto & Campo de' Fiori: $46
- Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $46
- Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $48
- The Original Fettuccine & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome: $50
- Rome Street Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $51
- Cooking Class in the Heart of Pizza and Tiramisu Making: $52
- Rome Street Food Tour and Jewish Ghetto Area Guided Sightseeing: $53
- Tasty Rome Street Food Tour around Campo de' Fiori Market & Jewish Ghetto: $53
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
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Lunch€13
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Breakfast€12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rome €36Bocas del Toro €19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)€69
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)€33
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Roma Pass€30
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)€20
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Segway Tour€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- " Private pantheon tour: Explore Rome's Divine masterpiece": $105
- "Rome of the Popes" E-bike Tour with Guide for Small Groups: $85
- "Villa Borghese" Rome tour with high quality electric bicycle!: $70
- 1 Day Rome Tour from Civitavecchia for Cruise Passengers: $91
- 1 Hour Pantheon Tour: A Time Travel Experience in Rome + Ebook: $101
- 1,5H Gianicolo and Trastevere Tour on a Golf Cart: $88
- 1,5H Historical City Center Tour on a Golf Cart at Rome: $81
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto: $23
- 2 hours Tour of Galleria Colonna: $218
- 2-Hour Private Shopping Tour in Rome with Personal Stylist - Personal Shopper: $118
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Rome's Enchanting Jewish Ghetto: $85
- 2h Xmas Lights Panoramic Vespa Sidecar Tour: $117
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Island Boat Tour€22
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Starfish Island Boat Trip€17
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Yoga Class€4.31
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Bocas del Toro Boat Tour Zapatilla Snorkeling and Island Hopping: $76
- Bocas del Toro Catamaran Day Tour with Sail Snorkel and Lunch: $89
- A Bocas Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkel Eco Tour: $100
- Bocas Del Toro Dolphin Bay, Chocolate Farm and Snorkel Tour: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRome €18Bocas del Toro €10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine€6.50
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Pint of Beer€6.34
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Beer€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
- Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
- Rome's Ultimate Party aka the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl: $40
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $46
- Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $50
- Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide: $53
- EAT AND DRINK LIKE A LOCAL - Wine Tasting in Trastevere w/ Gelato: $53
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience by the Vatican: $59
- Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $59
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Underground Cellar in Rome: $64
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $65
- Rome Bar Crawl: Interactive Night Tour with Games and Karaoke: $77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rome is in Europe and Bocas del Toro 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 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or Bocas del Toro?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 Rome or Bocas del Toro?
Rome 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 Rome or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In July, Rome is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Rome gets 338 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. Rome usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRome 25°C (77°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rome or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Bocas del Toro. The autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Rome is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Rome usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Rome gets 198 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 October, Rome usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRome 17°C (63°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rome or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as Bocas del Toro. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
In the winter, Rome is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Rome gets 127 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. Rome usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRome 8°C (47°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Rome or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Rome is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Rome gets 204 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 April, Rome usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRome 14°C (57°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Rome
| Rome | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.