Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Antigua Guatemala?
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 Antigua Guatemala or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Panama City, 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: Antigua Guatemala or Panama City?
Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
Panama City
Panama City is the cosmopolitan capital city of the country of Panama. With a population of almost 900,000 and almost 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it's a very diverse city with expat residents from all over the world. You don't have to search far to find someone who speaks English, and many Panamanians are quite helpful and friendly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $73Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $73, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. 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 Antigua Guatemala and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Panama City? 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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Antigua: One way private transfer to Panajachel: $194
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $180
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $80
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- Private transfer from Antigua to the La Aurora Airport.: $72
- Private transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $70
- Antigua: One way private transfer to Guatemala City: $64
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $50
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama Tocumen Airport to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $267
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts : $220
- 2 Days / 1 Night Tour in Panama: Canal, Hotel and Transfers: $200
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Panama City Hotels to Colón Cruise Port: $153
- Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
- Panama Tocumen Airport to Decameron - Arrival Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer Hotel or Airport to Resorts in Playa Blanca. One way: $125
- Transfer from Panama Airport to Colon Cruise Terminal: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Antigua Guatemala 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 dayAntigua Guatemala $25Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.22
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Lunch$7.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Experience with Locals: $58
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
- Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
- Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich$8.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City
For Panama City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Causeway: Bike & Panamanian Food Tour now with Audio Guide.: $49
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $85
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $115
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $256
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- ¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!: $100
- 2-Day Antigua Tour 1 Night at Acatenango Volcano: $87
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $145
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
- 2-day tour from Antigua 1 night in Acatenango Volcano: $92
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $160
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $75
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $320
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Shared Antigua Villages Experience: $95
- ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $100
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Canopy-ziplining Adventures in Anton Valley: $195
- Embera Village Tour,Canoe Ride, Hidden Waterfall: $75
- Full Private Tour to CASCO VIEJO, Canal and Marina of AMADOR: $62
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Horseback riding Agri-Tour and adventures in Colon Private tour: $120
- Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $32
- Private Layover Canal & City Tour: $59
- Private tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal.: $63
- #1 Panama Stayover City & Canal Tour 2 Visits 1 Fare - Fees incl.: $170
- #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included : $70
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $32
- "Panama Tour: Canal, Old Town, Amador, and Americas Lookout": $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Antigua Bar Crawl: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Panama City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Panama City:
- Casco Antiguo Guided Bar Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Antigua Guatemala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Panama City, 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.
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.