Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
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 Nadi (Port Denarau) or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) or Bocas del Toro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Bocas del Toro?
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
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 Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
Fiji PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNadi (Port Denarau) $198Bocas del Toro $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198, 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNadi (Port Denarau) $106Bocas del Toro $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNadi (Port Denarau) $212Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81Bocas del Toro $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private transfer dropoff Nadi Airport or resort : $168
- Private Transfer: Nadi Airport to Pacific Harbour - 1 to 4 Seat Vehicle: $130
- Treetops Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $128
- Fiji Cultural Full Day Island Cruise With Lunch & Transfers : $112
- Shared transfer- Nadi Airport to Denarau island Fiji: $92
- CFC Approved Roundtrip Car Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $79
- Private Transfer-Nadi Airport to Nanuku /Pearl/Uprising Resort : $78
- CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
- Private Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Fiji Marriott Momi Bay: $68
- Private Premium Departure Transfer : Hotel to Nadi Airport: $67
- Private Transfer: Intercontinental Resort and Spa to Nadi Airport: $66
- Private Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental & Yatule Resort: $60
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 Nadi (Port Denarau) or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 dayNadi (Port Denarau) $69Bocas del Toro $47
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.Nadi (Port Denarau) $32Bocas del Toro $21
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $118
- 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $164
- Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
- Best Sightseeing Tour : $132
- Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100
- CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour: $105
- Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
- Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
- Cultural Night Tour: $80
- Discover Coral Coast & Natadola Beach Tour: $114
- Fiji Adventure: Biausevu Waterfall & Dunes hiking Combo Tour!: $135
- Fiji Island Cultural Experience with Lunch : $184
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 dayNadi (Port Denarau) $11Bocas del Toro $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nadi (Port Denarau) and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Bocas del Toro?
Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Nadi (Port Denarau) 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.
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.