Which place is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Zagreb?
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 Zagreb or Bocas del Toro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zagreb and Bocas del Toro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zagreb or Bocas del Toro?
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
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 Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Zagreb Prices
Croatia PricesBocas del Toro Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb €89Bocas del Toro €82
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is €89, 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 Zagreb and Bocas del Toro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb €48Bocas del Toro €28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb €96Bocas del Toro €56
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Bocas del Toro
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices and Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb €9.11Bocas del Toro €8.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Private Split to Zagreb transfer with Plitvice lakes & Wine: $1,006
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Split: $856
- Private Transfer from Split or Trogir to Zagreb: $819
- Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice: $761
- Sarajevo to One-Way Transfer With Plitvice Lakes: $468
- Zagreb to Split: Personalized Transfer & Custom Day Trip!: $427
- Budapest: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to Budapest: $423
- From Sarajevo: 1-Way Transfer to Zagreb or opposite: $410
- Bratislava: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to BTS: $332
- Private Transfer Zagreb-Plitvice Lakes: $300
- Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Sibenik: $296
- Private Transfer from Zagreb to Budapest with 2 hours for sightseeing: $286
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€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 Zagreb or Bocas del Toro?
Prices for flights to both Bocas del Toro and Zagreb 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 dayZagreb €29Bocas del Toro €40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Food Tour with Tastings: $104
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $106
- Bite Back in Time: Zagreb's Food Tour Spiced with History : $131
- Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $155
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $161
- Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $184
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $201
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€13
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Breakfast€12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb €12Bocas del Toro €18
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 Day Private Istria Tour from Explore & Enjoy: $1,662
- Archaeological Tour of Zagreb: $52
- Back to Socialism Bike Tour: $49
- Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $215
- Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb – Private Walking Tour: $1,251
- Best Of Zagreb Walking Tour: $65
- Best of SLOVENIA - Bled + Postojna + Ljubljana - Day Tour from Zagreb: $237
- Best of Zagreb Walking Tour: $84
- Best of Zagreb! Self-guided Waking tour Sit&Meet Croatian greats!: $23
- Best of Zagreb! Walking Tour by Sit & Meet; Meet the Great Croats: $36
- Best of 4-Hour Cycling Tour: $94
- Big Zagreb Private Walking Tour: $117
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€21
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Starfish Island Boat Trip€17
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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.
- 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 dayZagreb €8.92Bocas del Toro €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $34
- Zagreb Pub Crawl 1Hour of Unlimited Drinks Club Entry: $35
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $106
- Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $176
- From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $183
- Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $274
- Private Wine Tour from Two Local Wineries & Samobor : $285
- Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $286
When comparing the travel costs between Zagreb and Bocas del Toro, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Zagreb is in Europe and Bocas del Toro is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Bocas del Toro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Bocas del Toro?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bocas del Toro. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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 Zagreb or Bocas del Toro?
Zagreb 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 Zagreb or Bocas del Toro in the Summer?
Both Bocas del Toro and Zagreb during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Zagreb is cooler than Bocas del Toro in the summer. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Zagreb. In the summer, Zagreb often gets more sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Zagreb gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bocas del Toro receives 124 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zagreb usually gets less rain in July than Bocas del Toro. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZagreb 22°C (72°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Bocas del Toro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and Bocas del Toro. Most visitors come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Zagreb is much colder than Bocas del Toro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zagreb in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Bocas del Toro averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Bocas del Toro during autumn. Zagreb gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zagreb usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Bocas del Toro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as Bocas del Toro. The winter months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
The weather in Zagreb can be very cold. In January, Zagreb is generally much colder than Bocas del Toro. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 1°C (35°F), and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In the winter, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Bocas del Toro. Zagreb gets 54 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. Zagreb usually gets less rain in January than Bocas del Toro. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZagreb 1°C (35°F)Bocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Bocas del Toro in the Spring?
Both Bocas del Toro and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zagreb is much colder than Bocas del Toro in the spring. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Bocas del Toro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Zagreb usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bocas del Toro during spring. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bocas del Toro receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. In April, Zagreb usually receives less rain than Bocas del Toro. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bocas del Toro receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)Bocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Bocas del Toro and Zagreb
| Zagreb | Bocas del Toro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
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.