Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Boquete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Boquete 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: Zanzibar or Boquete?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Zanzibar and Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Boquete $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Boquete? 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Boquete $5.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer Anywhere: $12
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Private Zanzibar Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer and Island Shuttle Service: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $28Boquete $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Spice Farm Zanzibar Cooking Class Authentic Cultural Experience: $65
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Cooking Class Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Zanzibar Spice Farm, Village Tour and Cooking Experience: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Boquete $17
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Podcast Tour Zanzibar City The Black Gold and the Broken Chains: $6.83
- Safari Blue island of Kwale Adventure: $8.00
- Stone Town Tour: $8.00
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $14
- Zanzibar Private Spice Farm Tour With Optional Lunch: $17
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $17
- Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $17
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Zanzibar:Stone Town Tour Guide: $20
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Traditional Drums and Fruits: $20
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Coffee Tasting Experience Los Molinos Hotel Panama's Top Product: $25
- Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $25
- Fun Adventure at Finca CreaDora Cafe and Animals and Hiking: $35
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
- Boquete Geisha Coffee Plantation Tour with Guided Tasting: $47
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
- River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
- Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $55
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
- Family experience in boiler Thermal wells and limestone: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Boquete $4.45
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Boquete, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Zanzibar is in Africa and Boquete is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Boquete?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Boquete, 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.