A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Terre-de-Haut vs. Bocas del Toro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Terre-de-Haut or Bocas del Toro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut 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: Terre-de-Haut or Bocas del Toro?

Terre-de-Haut

Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) is a small archipelago of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The islands here are best known for their tropical beauty, untouched beaches, and bayside villages. Only two of the nine are inhabited.

Terre-de-Haut of Les Saintes is the most popular island to visit. It is known for the Pain de Sucre, a small bay lined with coconut trees and an ideal location for snorkeling, in addition to white sandy beaches like the Plage de Pompierre. There is also a nineteenth-century fort which can be reached on foot for striking views of the surrounding area.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Terre-de-Haut and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Terre-de-Haut is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Terre-de-Haut are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut. In July, Terre-de-Haut usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut gets 150 mm (5.9 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 Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Terre-de-Haut gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Terre-de-Haut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?

Both Bocas del Toro and Terre-de-Haut during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually gets more rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut gets 228 mm (9 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 Terre-de-Haut. In the autumn, Terre-de-Haut often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Terre-de-Haut in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Terre-de-Haut and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Terre-de-Haut 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, Terre-de-Haut usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Terre-de-Haut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Terre-de-Haut gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Terre-de-Haut is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Terre-de-Haut average around 24°C (76°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Terre-de-Haut as well as Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut 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. Terre-de-Haut receives a lot of rain in the spring. Terre-de-Haut usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut gets 123 mm (4.8 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 Terre-de-Haut this time of the year. In the spring, Terre-de-Haut often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Terre-de-Haut gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.

Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Terre-de-Haut averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Terre-de-Haut