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

Should you visit Tsavo National Park or Bocas del Toro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tsavo National Park and Bocas del Toro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tsavo National Park or Bocas del Toro?

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo National Park is one of the largest and oldest parks in Kenya, located in the central part of the country in what was once known as the Taru Desert. Human activity in the park dates back to the Late Stone Age making the park a major archaeological and historical site. Tsavo is known for having beautiful natural landscapes and excellent game viewing.

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 Wildlife Tours to Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Tsavo National Park?

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

  • Tsavo National Park Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Bocas del Toro Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tsavo National Park $139
    Bocas del Toro $96

The average daily cost (per person) in Tsavo National Park is $139, 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 Tsavo National Park and Bocas del Toro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tsavo National Park $32
    Bocas del Toro $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tsavo National Park $64
    Bocas del Toro $66
Compare Hotels in Tsavo National Park and Bocas del Toro

Looking for a hotel in Tsavo National Park 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 Tsavo National Park


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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tsavo National Park $59
    Bocas del Toro $10

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
    $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 Tsavo National Park or Bocas del Toro?

Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Tsavo National Park 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
    Tsavo National Park $65
    Bocas 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:


  • Lunch
    $15
  • Breakfast
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tsavo National Park $46
    Bocas del Toro $21

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
    $25
  • Starfish Island Boat Trip
    $20
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tsavo National Park $23
    Bocas del Toro $12


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