Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Beijing?
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 Beijing or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Bocas del Toro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Beijing or Bocas del Toro?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $91Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $91, 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 Beijing and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $40Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $80Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.83Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.78
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Train from Airport for Two$7.01
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Taxi to Hotel$8.41
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2 Metro Passes$2.24
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Metro$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Pivate Transfer To Datong Yungang Grottoes From Beijing: $598
- Beijing Layover Private Tour: City Highlights With Airport Transfer: $300
- Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
- Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
- Beijing Layover of Comprehensive City Tour With Airport Transfer: $290
- Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $285
- Beijing Private Transfer: Mutianyu Great Wall Slow-Paced Visit: $280
- Beijing Hutong Culture Experience with Airport Transfer: $276
- Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
- Private Transfer To Guyaju Ancient Cave(With Options): $269
- Private Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace with A Guide: $259
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
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 Beijing or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $34Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.84
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.01
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.80
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Watermelon$1.96
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private : $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Beijing Shichahai Hutong Dinner and Beer Walking Tour: $68
- Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $72
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.Beijing $24Bocas del Toro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.41
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.81
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
- All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
- Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
- Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
- Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
- China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
- Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: $81
- Full Day Private Tour Incredible Beijing City Highlights: $179
- Lama temple -Confucius temple - DongYue temple Private Cultural Tour: $156
- Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket with Cable Car option: $16
- Private Tour Temple of Heaven with Tickets: $33
- 1-Day Beijing private tour to Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tombs: $150
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 dayBeijing $12Bocas del Toro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Private Beijing Hutong Night Foodie and Bar Crawl Tour: $98
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When comparing the travel costs between Beijing 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 Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Bocas del Toro?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 760 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Bocas del Toro?
Beijing 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 Beijing or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Beijing gets 224 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 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 JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Bocas del Toro. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Beijing is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Beijing gets 227 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, Beijing usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 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 OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Bocas del Toro. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Beijing gets 201 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. Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 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 JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Beijing is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Beijing gets 247 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, Beijing usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Beijing gets 26 mm (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 AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Beijing
| Beijing | Bocas del Toro | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.