Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Akureyri?
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 Akureyri or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Bocas del Toro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Akureyri or Bocas del Toro?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $191Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $191, 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 Akureyri and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $103Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $206Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $126
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $29
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 Akureyri or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Akureyri 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 dayAkureyri $71Bocas del Toro $47
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.Akureyri $18Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Cruise Port: Mývatn Lakes, Waterfalls & Nature Trip: $282
- Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $167
- Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $229
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $82
- Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $329
- Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $247
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $143
- Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $135
- 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship: $108
- E-Bike Tour with Forest Lagoon Entry: $217
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 dayAkureyri $15Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri 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 Akureyri Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Bocas del Toro?
Akureyri has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri 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 Akureyri or Bocas del Toro?
Akureyri 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 Akureyri or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In the summer, Akureyri is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In the summer, Akureyri often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 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 JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the autumn. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 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 OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Bocas del Toro. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. Akureyri is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Akureyri usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 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 AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Bocas del Toro | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.