Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Yogyakarta?
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 Yogyakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Yogyakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYogyakarta $64Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $64, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is $96. 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 Yogyakarta and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYogyakarta $35Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYogyakarta $70Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yogyakarta $1.28Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfers: $94
- Semarang & Transfer To The Hotel or Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Kembanglimus to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $87
- Yogyakarta Hidden Gems Tour with Private Guided Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Borobudur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $80
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Borobudur: $75
- Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $71
- Private Transfer from Donoharjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $71
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Sinduadi: $71
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Condong Catur: $71
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Banyuraden: $71
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$3.00
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 Yogyakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Yogyakarta 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 dayYogyakarta $19Bocas del Toro $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
- Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
- Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
- Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
- Yogyakarta Historical Walking and Food Tour: $29
- Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour: $30
- Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- 3-hour Cooking Class with Market Tour: $35
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.Yogyakarta $15Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beautiful Sunrise and Exotic Jomblang Cave Tour: $67
- "Java's Cultural Heritage: Borobudur and Prambanan Tour": $16
- 1 Day Yogyakarta tour ( Borobudur temple, Merapi Lava Tour, Prambanan Temple): $76
- 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing: $72
- 1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple: $40
- 1-Day Yogyakarta Javanese Culture - PRIVATE TOUR with GUIDE: $198
- 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Borobudur - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $183
- 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Pengger Heha - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $140
- 1-Day Yogyakarta Prambanan Breksi Ijo Temple - PRIVATE Tour with Guide: $184
- 1Day Borobudur (Upper Level) and Prambanan Private Guided Tour: $149
- 2 Days Tour to Mount Merbabu from Yogyakarta : $280
- 2-Day Borobudur Tour with Merbabu Camping and Hiking: $332
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$4.99
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- 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
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYogyakarta $4.74Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yogyakarta is in Asia 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 Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Bocas del Toro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bocas del Toro than you might in Yogyakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Bocas del Toro?
Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.
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.