Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, 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 Kota Kinabalu and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
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 Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Bocas del Toro $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
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.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Island Hopping Tour From Kota Kinabalu (2 island): $90
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
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 dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Bocas del Toro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bocas del Toro than you might in Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 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 Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
Both Bocas del Toro and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Kota Kinabalu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.