Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Bocas del Toro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, 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 Kuala Lumpur and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Bocas del Toro $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- KUL Hotel to Singapore(One Way Transfer): $270
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Singapore: $270
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Penang Island Transfer [Car]: $265
- Cameron Highlands Transfer Private (Per Vehicle): $260
- Private Transfer from Shah Alam city to Malacca Cruise Port: $239
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Transfer [Car]: $239
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $233
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Singapore Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- KL City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels One-way Transfer: $230
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Singapore Hotels One-way Transfer: $230
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 Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Bocas del Toro $47
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $39
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
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.Kuala Lumpur $15Bocas del Toro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cameron Highland Day Tour From Kuala Lumpur By Group: $155
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $199
- Half Day Kuala Lumpur Culture And Communities Exploration Tour: $30
- KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
- KLCC Lake Symphony & The River of Life Tour from Kuala Lumpur: $33
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $61
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City Tour Cruise Excursion from Port Klang: $65
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Family Tour With Aquaria KLCC : $105
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Petronas Twin Tower Tickets with City Tour: $80
- Putrajaya Tour: $32
- Shah Alam Islamic Arts and Culture Tours : $31
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.
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Bocas del Toro $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When comparing the travel costs between Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Bocas del Toro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur 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 summer. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur 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. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.
In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
Both Bocas del Toro and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.