Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Bocas del Toro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint John's or Bocas del Toro?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 Panama, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Bocas del Toro $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, 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 Saint John's and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $254
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $155
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
- 3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City - Transfer Included: $128
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
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$3.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $68Bocas del Toro $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
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$15
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Breakfast$14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Bocas del Toro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
- Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $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:
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Island Boat Tour$25
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Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
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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.
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Bocas del Toro?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Saint John's or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Saint John's during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's 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 autumn. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Bocas del Toro. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Bocas del Toro. Saint John's 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. Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In January, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's 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. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.