Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bali or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Bocas del Toro?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
-
Bali Prices
Indonesia PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $85Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $85, 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 Bali and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $40Bocas del Toro $33
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $80Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Bali and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Bali 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: Bali Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.68Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
-
Motorbike Rental$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Paragliding In Bali With Private Hotel Transfer: $140
- Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $115
- BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $114
- Luxury Bali Private Airport Transfer Alphard: $113
- Drive Your Own Jet Ski Without Instructor With Private Transfer: $95
- Bali Parasailing, Banana, Jet Ski, and Sea Walker with Transfer: $80
- Batur Volcano Jeep Tour Include Private Transfer: $80
- Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Horse Riding on the Black Sand Beach and Free Hotel Transfers: $74
- Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $72
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $69
- Bali Sea Walker, Parasailing Adventure, Donut Boat with Transfer: $67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
-
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 Bali or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Bali 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 dayBali $34Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee$1.19
-
Lunch for Two$13
-
Bali Cafe for Two$26
-
Lunch for Two$7.75
-
Lunch for 2$8.59
-
Dinner for 2$9.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset : $29
- Private Tour Rafting Uluwatu Kecak Dance Sunset and Dinner in Jimbaran Bay: $30
- Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
- Amazing Private Tour-Uluwatu Kecak Dance and Romantic Seafood Dinner: $33
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $38
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $40
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $41
- South Bali Beach Tour, Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Fire Dance & Seafood Barbeque Dinner: $50
- Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
- Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour & Dinner at Jimbaran Bay: $63
- Highlights Padang - Padang, Melasti Beach & Jimbaran Dinner: $65
- Exotic North Bedugul, Tanah Lot, and Jimbaran Seafood Dinner: $65
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
-
Lunch$15
-
Breakfast$14
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $10Bocas del Toro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
-
Spa for Two$52
-
Snorkelling Trip$12
-
Cooking School$27
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Telaga Waja White Water Rafting Adventure : $55
- Legendary Scenic Spots Of Nusa Penida Private Guided Day Tour: $48
- Private Tours Tegenungan Waterfall Ubud Palace & Market: $80
- Ubud Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $45
- White Water Rafting Adventure at Telaga Waja River : $54
- 2 Day Tours Ubud Art Village, Dance And Other Tourist Attractions: $186
- 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
- 5 Hours Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Tour Including Tanjung Jepun: $59
- 6-Hour White Water Rafting and Kanto Lampo Waterfall Private Tour: $79
- ATV Tour Through Fun Zone and Scenic Trek: $35
- Adventure Rafting Journey With Us! And Ubud Tours : $123
- All Inclusive Tour to Tanah Lot Temple and Monkey Forest: $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Island Boat Tour$25
-
Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
-
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.07Bocas del Toro $12
When comparing the travel costs between Bali and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro 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 Bali is in Asia and Bocas del Toro 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 Bali Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Bocas del Toro?
Bali has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Bali or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Bocas del Toro. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
Bali is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBali 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Bali or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
Both Bocas del Toro and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Bali is October to March. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Bali is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBali 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Bali or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
October to March is the rainy season in Bali. Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In January, Bali is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBali 26°C (79°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bali or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
April to September in Bali is the dry season. Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bali usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Bali is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBali 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Bali
| Bali | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 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.