A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Curitiba vs. Bocas del Toro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Curitiba 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 Curitiba 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: Curitiba or Bocas del Toro?

Curitiba

Curitiba is a relatively large city that is convenient to visit if you're traveling to Iguazu Falls from either Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. It is worth a day or two stop over because it has a great old city that has been restored. It's also the capital of Parana, Brazil. Curitiba is one of the more wealthy cities in the southern region of Brazil. It has a diverse population with many immigrants and some interesting cultural events.

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 Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Curitiba?

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

  • Curitiba Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Bocas del Toro Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Curitiba $90
    Bocas del Toro $96

The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $90, 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 Curitiba and Bocas del Toro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Curitiba $29
    Bocas del Toro $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Curitiba $58
    Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and Bocas del Toro

Looking for a hotel in Curitiba 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.

Hotels in Curitiba


Hotels in Bocas del Toro


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: Curitiba Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Curitiba $15
    Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba

Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port : $265
  • Private Transfer from Porto Belo Port to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $265
  • Private Transfer from Porto Belo Port to Curitiba City Hotels: $265
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $265
  • Afonso Pena Airport (CWB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $212
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $109
  • Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $106
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Shared Transfer: Curitiba International Airport: $40

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 Curitiba or Bocas del Toro?

Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Curitiba 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
    Curitiba $47
    Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:


  • Chips
    $0.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Curitiba

For Curitiba, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba: $36
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
  • Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $95

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.
    Curitiba $19
    Bocas del Toro $21

Tours and Activities in Curitiba

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Curitiba.

  • Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre: $160
  • 4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba: $73
  • 8-hour guided tour of the Dutch Colonies of Paraná: $203
  • 8h full city tour in Curitiba: $94
  • CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $72
  • Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel: $157
  • Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony: $163
  • Experience the Best of City Tour Highlights: $59
  • Full-day tour in Curitiba: $78
  • Gastronomic Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $81
  • Guided tour to the Canyon of Guartelá: $189
  • Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $43

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.

  • Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
  • Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
  • Bocas Biodiversity: A Birds & Wildlife EcoTour Experience: $76
  • Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
  • From Isla Colon: Bocas del Toro Archipelago Boat Tour: $56
  • Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
  • Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
  • Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
  • Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Curitiba $13
    Bocas del Toro $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:


  • Beer
    $0.42


When comparing the travel costs between Curitiba 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 Curitiba is in South America 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 Curitiba Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Bocas del Toro?

Curitiba has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Curitiba 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.