Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Zurich?
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 Zurich or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Bocas del Toro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zurich or Bocas del Toro?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $364Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, 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 Zurich and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $197Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $394Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $41Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- WEF DAVOS 2025 | TRANSFER TO/FROM ZURICH AIRPORT TO DAVOS: $754
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Moritz: $693
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald: $656
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Lauterbrunnen: $599
- Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Interlaken.: $566
- Transfer Zurich Airport to Basel: $539
- Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Anton am Arlberg: $467
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lech am Arlberg: $467
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
- Zurich Airport: Private Lucerne Transfer by Mercedes: $450
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 Zurich or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Zurich 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 dayZurich $124Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
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.Zurich $41Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $115
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $161
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $85
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $163
- Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $97
- Chocolate, Art, and History walking tour of Zurich: $94
- Cinematic Zurich – Photo and Video Shoot Tour: $566
- City e-bike tour: $50
- City tour historic old town Zurich: $48
- Crash Landing on You: Switzerland Filming Locations Day Tour: $317
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $224
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.
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
- 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
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $34Bocas del Toro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Bocas del Toro?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Bocas del Toro?
Zurich has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zurich or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Bocas del Toro. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
Zurich is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Zurich usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
Both Bocas del Toro and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Zurich is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
The weather in Zurich can be very cold. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Bocas del Toro. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zurich is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Zurich usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Zurich
| Zurich | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.