Bocas del Toro is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Bocas del Toro?
You should plan to spend around $96 (B/.96) per day on your vacation in Bocas del Toro. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $47 (B/.47) on meals
- $10 (B/.10) on local transportation
- $66 (B/.66) on hotels
A one week trip to Bocas del Toro for two people costs, on average, $1,344 (B/.1,344). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$672
B/.672
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$1,344
B/.1,344
-
One Month
Per person
$2,880
B/.2,880
-
One Week
For a couple
$1,344
B/.1,344
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$2,688
B/.2,688
-
One Month
For a couple
$5,760
B/.5,760
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Bocas del Toro cost?
A one week trip to Bocas del Toro usually costs around $672 (B/.672) for one person and $1,344 (B/.1,344) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Bocas del Toro on average costs around $1,344 (B/.1,344) for one person and $2,688 (B/.2,688) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Bocas del Toro will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Bocas del Toro on average costs around $2,880 (B/.2,880) for one person and $5,760 (B/.5,760) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Bocas del Toro expensive to visit?
Bocas del Toro is a smaller destination that attracts a broad range of travelers, encompassing various travel styles, spending practices, and budget options. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Bocas del Toro can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $40 (B/.40) per day, mid-range travelers spend $96 (B/.96) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $218 (B/.218) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bocas del Toro.
Within Central America, Bocas del Toro is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to San Ignacio or Panama City.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Bocas del Toro?
The average Bocas del Toro trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bocas del Toro travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bocas del Toro cost?
Bocas del Toro on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$13
(B/.13)
|
$33
(B/.33)
|
$85
(B/.85)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$4
(B/.4.33)
|
$10
(B/.10)
|
$22
(B/.22)
|
|
Food2
|
$20
(B/.20)
|
$47
(B/.47)
|
$98
(B/.98)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$9
(B/.9.45)
|
$21
(B/.21)
|
$40
(B/.40)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$2-7
(B/.2-7)
|
$6-18
(B/.6-18)
|
$13-39
(B/.13-39)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Bocas del Toro, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $40 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Bocas del Toro is home to plenty of hostels, including Bambuda Lodge, Palmar Beach Lodge, and Skully's House. In hostels like these, you can snag budget-friendly dorm beds and enjoy a social environment, but be prepared for basic amenities.
So, are you average?
Couples and families enjoying a vacation will probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular dining spots, and explore the key museums and attractions that have entry fees. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Bocas del Toro. Keep in mind that most activities cost money. Thus, it's reasonable to expect your daily budget to be around $96 per person, per day.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If your ideal trip includes every luxury and top-tier service, be ready to budget around $218 per day. A stay at nicer hotels, meals at prestigious restaurants, fancy excursions, and getting around the destination with taxis or private drivers will cost you more.
Accommodation Budget in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $84, but during peak season, they can average $157. Prices range from $46 to $360, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Bocas del Toro for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $66 (B/.66). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $33 (B/.33) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bocas del Toro include:
- Tropical Suites Hotel Bocas del Toro starting at $146
- Faro del Colibri starting at $102
- Gran Hotel Bahia starting at $85
- Hotel Bocas Town starting at $69
- Hotel Palma Royale starting at $75
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and skip ), you'll enjoy lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $10 (B/.10) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bocas del Toro. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Bocas del Toro is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$10
B/.10
You can travel into the area either via the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica or by traveling over the green mountains from Chiriqui. You'll want to catch a boat in either Almirante or Changuinola. From Costa Rica, the better option is Changuinola, but if you're coming to David, pick up the boat in Almirante. Alternatively, you can catch one of two flights that come to the area from Panama City daily. Four times a week there are also flights from San Jose, Costa Rica.
Once you reach the town of Bocas, you can easily explore it on foot. There are taxis available for about fifty cents a ride if you choose to go that route. Another fun way to explore the area is to rent a bicycle. This will cost you about $2 an hour or $10 for the whole day. The area is generally flat, making riding easy and smooth. You could also rent a scooter for about $70 a day. Water taxis are also available to Bastimentos.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo for $54 details
How much does it cost to go to Bocas del Toro? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Bocas del Toro will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Some typical prices for transportation in Bocas del Toro are shown below. These are actual costs from previous travelers, and are representative of the amount you'll likely spend on transportation in Bocas del Toro. Don't forget that your individual costs will vary based on how you get around, because hired cars such as taxis are often much more expensive than local public transportation.
Food Budget in Bocas del Toro
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Bocas del Toro can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bocas del Toro is $47 (B/.47) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$47
B/.47
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bocas del Toro is around $47 (B/.47) per person, with previous travelers spending from $20 to $98. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Bocas del Toro are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $14
- Lunch: $7 to $19
- Dinner: $14 to $33
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $7
There are plenty of places around town to grab food, both expensive and cheap. There are some great cafes that offer good, western style breakfasts. There are also plenty of pizza places around town which are cheap and good. Also, given the proximity to the water, there's plenty of seafood restaurants as well.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Take a water bottle with you to save on drinks. It's also an environmentally friendly option.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Food and meal prices in Bocas del Toro, based on real travelers' reported expenses, are shown below. These typical costs can give you a sense of the overall price range for meals. However, your individual expenses might be different depending on your dining habits, restaurant choices, and specific orders.
-
Lunch
B/.15
-
Breakfast
B/.14
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bocas del Toro typically cost an average of $21 (B/.21) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
B/.21
Most people travel to Bocas del Toro for the atmosphere and the environment. The town itself is lacking in specific sights, but the natural beauty of the setting and the plethora of activities are the true appeal of a visit to Bocas Town.
There are a few reasons a person travels to Bocas del Toro. The area has some beautiful beaches, wonderful natural scenery, fun villages to explore, and plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities. It's a popular area to go and party and you can always be guaranteed a fun time at the town's bars and clubs. You can also book tours of the area that will take you out on the water to see dolphins, let you do some impressive snorkeling, and explore some off the beaten path beaches and villages. Most tours can be booked through your hotel, but if this isn't an option there are plenty of tour companies around town. If you plan to swim in the ocean, do use some caution as the waters can be rough, making it fun, but somewhat dangerous if you're not comfortable swimming in the ocean waters.
Scuba diving in Bocas del Toro is not famous, but is still impressive. The waters are calm and the aquatic life is impressive. There are four scuba operators in town to choose from. The options are essentially identical with each operator.
Other popular activities around town include surfing and fishing.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Bocas del Toro. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro for $60 details
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach for $51 details
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro for $50 details
Outlined below are some typical prices for entry fees and activities in Bocas del Toro. They have been reported from the expenses of previous travelers. These costs provide an idea of what you might need to spend, though your individual expenses will depend on the activities you participate in, the places you visit, and how often you choose budget-friendly or free activities.
Nightlife Budget in Bocas del Toro
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $12 (B/.12) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Bocas del Toro per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
B/.12
While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.
Travel cost data last updated: Mar 1, 2025
Traveling in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro, Panama
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.
Bocas del Toro has a tropical rainforest climate. The driest months are usually October, January, and March, but there is no distinguishable dry season. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year with highs in the mid to high 80s Fahrenheit and lows in the low 70s Fahrenheit.
Neighborhoods & Around
Bocas Town (also referred to as Bocas del Toro) is the capital and largest city in the Bocas del Toro district.
Bastimentos is found on its own island. The island is one of the largest in the area, 62 square kilometers, and the town has a population of almost 2,000. The area is more relaxed than Bocas Town and makes for a fun alternative.
Cauchero has a land area of 140.6 square kilometers and a population of about 2,500.
Punta Laurel has a land area of about 71.9 square kilometers and a population of almost 1,000.
Tierra Ocura has a land area of 88.6 square kilometers and a population of about 2,700.
Related:
Looking for a party hostel in Costa Rica or Cancun? Looking for a budget hostel in Mexico or Costa Rica?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.