Cost of Living Comparison Between Boquete and Puerto Armuelles Cost of Living Comparison Between Boquete and Puerto Armuelles

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.32 PAB 6.32

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.47 PAB 40.47

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.70 PAB 7.70

Cappuccino

$3.87 PAB 3.87

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

$1.41 PAB 1.41

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.20 PAB 1.20

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.20 PAB 2.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.15 PAB 5.15

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 PAB 1.81

White Bread (500g)

$2.12 PAB 2.12

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.14 PAB 2.14

Eggs

$2.50 PAB 2.50

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.29 PAB 9.29

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.52 PAB 7.52

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.65 PAB 15.65

Apples (1kg)

$4.30 PAB 4.30

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 PAB 0.98

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 PAB 4.32

Tomato (1kg)

$2.14 PAB 2.14

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 PAB 2.21

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 PAB 2.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 PAB 2.30

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 PAB 1.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.26 PAB 5.26

Wine (Bottle)

$7.80 PAB 7.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.21 PAB 1.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 PAB 2.60

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.40 PAB 1.40

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$24.86 PAB 24.86

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.02 PAB 1.02

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.99 PAB 1.99

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.33 PAB 30.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 PAB 1.08

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.9K PAB 25.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.9K PAB 21.9K

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

$59.3 PAB 59.3

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

$26.02 PAB 26.02

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.33 PAB 43.33

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.6 PAB 80.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.64 PAB 17.64

Cinema Ticket

$6.55 PAB 6.55

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,098 PAB 6,098

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.64 PAB 24.64

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.26 PAB 25.26

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.22 PAB 45.22

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$830 PAB 830

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$702 PAB 702

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,554 PAB 1,554

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,277 PAB 1,277

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,193 PAB 1,193

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,166 PAB 1,166

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$810 PAB 810

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update for Boquete: September 7, 2026

Last update for Puerto Armuelles: September 8, 2026

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

Boquete vs Puerto Armuelles: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Puerto Armuelles is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Boquete, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Safety-wise, Boquete and Puerto Armuelles are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

It comes down to priorities – Puerto Armuelles wins on affordability, Boquete on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.