Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Hamburg?
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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Hamburg or Bocas del Toro?
Hamburg
Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.
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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Hamburg Prices
Germany PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHamburg €142Bocas del Toro €82
The average daily cost (per person) in Hamburg is €142, while the average daily cost in Bocas del Toro is €82. 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 Hamburg and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHamburg €54Bocas del Toro €28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHamburg €108Bocas del Toro €56
Compare Hotels in Hamburg and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Hamburg 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: Hamburg Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hamburg €29Bocas del Toro €8.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:
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Short Distance Ubahn Ticket€1.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers : $292
- Hamburg Airport (HAM): Private Transfer to Hamburg hotels: $291
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers: $287
- Private Transfer From Hamburg City to Berlin City: $268
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Bremen with an English Speaking Driver: $257
- Private Transfer From Hamburg To Bremen With a 2 Hour Stop: $256
- Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Hamburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $249
- Private Transfer From Hamburg to Hannover, English Speaking Driver: $232
- Hamburg hotels to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $204
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport(HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Port: $204
- Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Port - Arrival Transfer: $204
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $167
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€2.56
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 Hamburg or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Hamburg 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 dayHamburg €60Bocas del Toro €40
Typical Food Prices in Hamburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:
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Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls€15
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Currywurst and Pommes Frites€5.00
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Donner Kebab and Coke€6.00
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Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer€15
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Donner Kebab Lunch€4.00
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Sandwich and Coffee Break€6.00
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Fish Sandwich from Fish Market€3.50
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Coffee and Donut€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.
- St George's Culinary Food Tour: $53
- Sternschanze kulinarisch: Die Food Tour: $53
- St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $53
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $63
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $63
- Hamburg Traditional Food Tour: Full Meal and Drinks: $90
- Hamburg Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Hamburg Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better : $130
- St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $529
- The Wilhelmsburg Food Tour: $529
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€13
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Breakfast€12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hamburg €39Bocas del Toro €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg
Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tower at St. Michael's Church€3.50
Tours and Activities in Hamburg
Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Cruise in the City" - Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe: $88
- 1-Day Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour of Hamburg Line D: $25
- 10 secrets of Hamburg's old town - exciting scavenger hunt tour: $37
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Night Tour: $102
- 2 Hours Hamburg E-scooter Tour: $81
- 2 Hours Hamburg Night Segway Tour: $93
- 2 Hours Hamburg Segway Tour: $81
- 3 Hour Guided Hamburg Segway Tour: $102
- 3 Hours Hamburg E-Scooter Tour: $93
- 3 Hours Hamburg Segway Tour: $93
- 90-minute harbor tour through the Speicherstadt in Hamburg: $43
- Ahoy St.Pauli at night - the legendary Kieztour: $299
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€21
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Starfish Island Boat Trip€17
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Yoga Class€4.26
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 dayHamburg €17Bocas del Toro €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:
- Original Hamburg Pub Crawl Sex & Crime St. Pauli Tour: $24
- Original Hamburg Pub Crawl Sex & Crime St. Pauli Tour: $24
- Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $29
- Pub Crawl Hamburg - Ladies Night: $30
- Pub Crawl - Drink & Dare: $30
- Reeperbahn Pub Crawl with Shots and Games: $35
- Hamburg Pub Crawl with Free Welcome Drinks and Club Entry: $36
- Reeperbahn pub crawl with insider-guide & shots: $317
- Bachelor party Pub crawl & party for your bachelor party: $423
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hamburg and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Hamburg is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hamburg 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 Hamburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hamburg 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 Hamburg Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Bocas del Toro?
Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg 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 Hamburg or Bocas del Toro?
Hamburg 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 Hamburg or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Hamburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
In July, Hamburg is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 17°C (62°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Hamburg. In the summer, Hamburg often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Hamburg gets 207 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. Hamburg usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 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 JulyHamburg 17°C (62°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hamburg or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Bocas del Toro. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hamburg is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Hamburg usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Hamburg gets 101 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, Hamburg usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 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 OctoberHamburg 10°C (50°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hamburg or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Bocas del Toro. Many visitors come to Hamburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hamburg is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hamburg in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In the winter, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Hamburg gets 42 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. Hamburg usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryHamburg 0°C (33°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hamburg or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Hamburg is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 8°C (46°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro during spring. Hamburg gets 161 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, Hamburg usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 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 AprilHamburg 8°C (46°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Hamburg
| Hamburg | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (39°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.