A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Boquete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aqaba or Boquete?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Boquete, 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: Aqaba or Boquete?

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.

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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Aqaba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, 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 Aqaba and Boquete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Boquete $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Boquete

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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.

Hotels in Aqaba


Hotels in Boquete


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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Boquete $5.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
  • Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $49
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $49
  • Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $56
  • Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $56
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Boquete?

Prices for flights to both Boquete and Aqaba 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aqaba $73
    Boquete $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.

  • Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
  • Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
  • Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
  • 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
  • Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Boquete $17

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
  • Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
  • Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
  • 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
  • Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
  • Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
  • Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
  • Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35

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
  • Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
  • Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
  • Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
  • Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
  • Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour : $40
  • Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $45
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • Boquete E-bike Panoramic Tour: $65
  • Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $65
  • Guided E-Bike Panoramic Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Boquete $4.44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Boquete, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Boquete 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 Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Boquete.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Boquete Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Boquete?

Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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.