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

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

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

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 Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Bocas del Toro?

Saaremaa has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Bocas del Toro?

Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?

Both Bocas del Toro and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.

Saaremaa is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun.

Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Bocas del Toro. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Bocas del Toro. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Saaremaa