Cost of Living Comparison Between Bocas del Toro and Las Tablas Cost of Living Comparison Between Bocas del Toro and Las Tablas

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,473 in Bocas del Toro versus $461 in Las Tablas.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,072 in Bocas del Toro versus $676 in Las Tablas.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,671 in Bocas del Toro versus $892 in Las Tablas.

Living in Bocas del Toro is roughly 220% more expensive than in Las Tablas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Bocas del Toro is 8% above, Las Tablas is 66% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.34 PAB 9.34

$10.15 PAB 10.15

-7.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.37 PAB 49.37

$30.53 PAB 30.53

61.71%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.02 PAB 10.02

$8.38 PAB 8.38

19.57%

Cappuccino

$4.05 PAB 4.05

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 PAB 1.73

$0.98 PAB 0.98

76.53%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 PAB 1.66

$1.02 PAB 1.02

62.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.99 PAB 1.99

$1.29 PAB 1.29

54.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 PAB 3.91

$2.73 PAB 2.73

43.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.95 PAB 1.95

White Bread (500g)

$3.85 PAB 3.85

$1.96 PAB 1.96

96.43%

Eggs

$2.65 PAB 2.65

$2.03 PAB 2.03

30.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.73 PAB 16.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.83 PAB 8.83

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.06 PAB 8.06

Apples (1kg)

$9.67 PAB 9.67

$4.30 PAB 4.30

124.88%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 PAB 1.46

$1.26 PAB 1.26

15.87%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 PAB 4.86

$1.57 PAB 1.57

209.55%

Potato (1kg)

$3.34 PAB 3.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.23 PAB 1.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.57 PAB 1.57

$0.98 PAB 0.98

60.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.62 PAB 5.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.94 PAB 2.94

$1.27 PAB 1.27

131.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 PAB 2.47

$1.79 PAB 1.79

37.99%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.03 PAB 1.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 PAB 0.93

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$147 PAB 147

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$39.77 PAB 39.77

$23.23 PAB 23.23

71.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.86 PAB 34.86

$36.93 PAB 36.93

-5.61%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.90 PAB 19.90

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$748 PAB 748

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$910 PAB 910

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,187 PAB 1,187

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,195 PAB 1,195

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$699 PAB 699

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bocas del Toro: September 14, 2026

Last update for Las Tablas: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $49.00 in Bocas del Toro vs $31.00 in Las Tablas for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $317 vs $103 per month, with Las Tablas cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Bocas del Toro vs Las Tablas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bocas del Toro and Las Tablas differ by about 220% in total monthly costs ($1,473 vs $461 including rent). Las Tablas is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $2,210 in Bocas del Toro and $691 in Las Tablas to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Dining out is cheaper in Las Tablas – a meal for two runs $31.00 versus $49.00 in Bocas del Toro. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $1,473 per month in Bocas del Toro versus $461 in Las Tablas – a 220% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $461 in Las Tablas versus $1,473 in Bocas del Toro, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Las Tablas but tight or insufficient in Bocas del Toro. The gap between the two cities makes Las Tablas the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Bocas del Toro and Las Tablas are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Las Tablas gentler on the wallet – expenses run 220% less than in Bocas del Toro. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.