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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Living in Las Tablas costs roughly 69% less than in Bocas del Toro, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.15 PAB 10.15

$9.34 PAB 9.34

8.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.53 PAB 30.53

$49.37 PAB 49.37

-38.16%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.38 PAB 8.38

$10.02 PAB 10.02

-16.37%

Cappuccino

$4.05 PAB 4.05

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

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$1.73 PAB 1.73

-43.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$1.66 PAB 1.66

-38.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.29 PAB 1.29

$1.99 PAB 1.99

-35.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 PAB 2.73

$3.91 PAB 3.91

-30.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.95 PAB 1.95

White Bread (500g)

$1.96 PAB 1.96

$3.85 PAB 3.85

-49.09%

Eggs

$2.03 PAB 2.03

$2.65 PAB 2.65

-23.40%

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)

$4.30 PAB 4.30

$9.67 PAB 9.67

-55.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.26 PAB 1.26

$1.46 PAB 1.46

-13.70%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 PAB 1.57

$4.86 PAB 4.86

-67.70%

Potato (1kg)

$3.34 PAB 3.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.23 PAB 1.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$1.57 PAB 1.57

-37.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.62 PAB 5.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 PAB 1.27

$2.94 PAB 2.94

-56.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 PAB 1.79

$2.47 PAB 2.47

-27.53%

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)

$23.23 PAB 23.23

$39.77 PAB 39.77

-41.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.93 PAB 36.93

$34.86 PAB 34.86

5.94%

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 Las Tablas: September 12, 2026

Last update for Bocas del Toro: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

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

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

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

You'd need roughly $691 in Las Tablas and $2,210 in Bocas del Toro 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 $461 per month in Las Tablas versus $1,473 in Bocas del Toro – 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, Las Tablas and Bocas del Toro 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.