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

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

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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 Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, 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 Turku and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku 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 Turku Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Turku or Bocas del Toro?

Turku has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Turku 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 Turku or Bocas del Toro?

Turku 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 Turku or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?

Both Bocas del Toro and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Turku is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Turku. Turku usually receives more sunshine than Bocas del Toro during summer. Turku gets 262 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, Turku usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Bocas del Toro and Turku during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In the autumn, Turku often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Turku gets 90 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. Turku usually gets less rain in October than Bocas del Toro. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during winter. Turku gets 39 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, Turku usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Turku as well as Bocas del Toro. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.

Turku can get quite cold in the spring. Turku is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the spring, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro. Turku gets 182 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. Turku usually gets less rain in April than Bocas del Toro. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 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 Turku