Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando 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.
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, 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 San Fernando and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and San Fernando 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Bocas del Toro, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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.
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.
Both Bocas del Toro and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando 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 San Fernando. In July, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Both Bocas del Toro and San Fernando during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando 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 San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bocas del Toro. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the autumn, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando 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 winter. In January, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The spring brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Bocas del Toro. San Fernando 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. San Fernando usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the spring, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
San Fernando | Bocas del Toro | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |