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

Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and Bocas del Toro can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: The Hague or Bocas del Toro?

The Hague

The Hague is a metropolitan city in the province of South Holland, where the Dutch government is located. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima currently reside there with their three children. The Hague is home to the U.N.'s International Court of Justice, as well as the International Criminal Court. It is the third largest city in the country, with a population of just over 500,000.

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 Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or The Hague?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in The Hague is €218, 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 The Hague and Bocas del Toro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    The Hague 104
    Bocas del Toro 28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    The Hague 208
    Bocas del Toro 56
Compare Hotels in The Hague and Bocas del Toro

Looking for a hotel in The Hague 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.

Hotels in The Hague


Hotels in Bocas del Toro


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: The Hague Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    The Hague 19
    Bocas del Toro 8.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in The Hague

Also for The Hague, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private direct transfer from The Hague to Arnhem: $292
  • Private Tour of Delft and Gouda including Transfer: $262
  • Private Tour of The Hague and Gouda including Transfer: $262
  • Private Tour of Delft & Rotterdam with Cube House and Transfer: $226
  • Private Tour of Delft and The Hague including Transfer: $226
  • Private Direct Transfer from The Hague to Amsterdam: $184
  • Premium electric Transfer from The Hague to Schiphol Airport : $179
  • The Hague to Amsterdam Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $175
  • Premium Electric transfer from Delft to Schiphol Airport: $175
  • Private Transfer from The Hague City to Schiphol Airport : $155
  • Private Transfer: Amsterdam Airport to The Hague (Den Haag): $121
  • Eindhoven: Train Transfer Eindhoven from/to Den Haag: $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:


  • 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 The Hague or Bocas del Toro?

Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and The Hague 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    The Hague 95
    Bocas del Toro 40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in The Hague

For The Hague, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Small-Group Food Tour Scheveningen Beachside in The Hague: $77

Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:


  • Lunch
    13
  • Breakfast
    12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    The Hague 34
    Bocas del Toro 18

Tours and Activities in The Hague

For The Hague, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • The Hague Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
  • Charms of Dutch Heritage Delft Walking Tour: $227
  • Dahlia Tour in Voorhout: $11
  • Delft 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.57
  • Delft Exploration Game and Tour: The Blue's Clues: $7.13
  • Delft Family Delights Private Walking Tour: $232
  • Delft Private Walking Tour: $238
  • Discover Delft with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $30
  • Discover Delft's Golden Age: A Self-Guided Tour: $12
  • Drive it yourself electric Dune and Beach GPS audio tour: $106
  • Drive it yourself electric Dutch Countryside GPS audio tour: $106
  • Dutch Food and Drink Tour in Delft: $286

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro

For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Island Boat Tour
    21
  • Starfish Island Boat Trip
    17
  • 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.

  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    The Hague 30
    Bocas del Toro 10


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


Which is Bigger, The Hague or Bocas del Toro?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague or Bocas del Toro?

The Hague 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 The Hague or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Bocas del Toro. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, The Hague is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In The Hague, it's very sunny this time of the year. The Hague usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, The Hague usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    The Hague 17°C (62°F) 
    Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Bocas del Toro. Many travelers come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.

In October, The Hague is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 11°C (51°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the autumn, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. The Hague gets 105 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. The Hague usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    The Hague 11°C (51°F) 
    Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?

Both Bocas del Toro and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to The Hague in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The Hague can get quite cold in the winter. The Hague is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In January, The Hague usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    The Hague 2°C (36°F) 
    Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?

Both Bocas del Toro and The Hague during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to The Hague for the activities around the city during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.

In the spring, The Hague is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In the spring, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun.

Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. The Hague usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    The Hague 8°C (46°F) 
    Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and The Hague

The Hague Bocas del Toro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 319 mm (12.6 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 193 mm (7.6 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 408 mm (16.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 367 mm (14.4 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 402 mm (15.8 in)