Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Asuncion or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion 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: Asuncion or Panama City?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
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 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
-
Asuncion Prices
Paraguay PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $74Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $74, 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 Asuncion and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $21Panama City $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $42Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.10Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport to Asuncion Transfers : $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $20
- Transfers: $37
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Transfer to Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks): $14
- Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
- Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
- Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
- Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port : $30
- Transfer Colon Cruise Port - Panama Airport: $45
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- Transfer Airport - City / Min 2 pax: $20
- Tocumen Airport Private Transfer. Arrivals or Departures: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Asuncion 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
-
Food Meals for one dayAsuncion $27Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
-
Sandwich$8.22
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
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 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
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $200
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $250
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $15Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Asuncion Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $37
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $175
- Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $115
- Day Tour “Cerrito”: $231
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
- Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $230
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: $60
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Horseback riding Agri-Tour and adventures in Colon Private tour: $150
- Private Layover Canal & City Tour: $60
- San Blas Island-Hopping : Full-Day Adventure from Panama City: $119
- Shared or Private City Tour 4 points: $64
- #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: $40
- "Panama Tour: Canal, Old Town, Amador, and Americas Lookout": $145
- 2 Hours Tour to Panama La Vieja for Groups: $170
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $9.51Panama City $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
-
Beer$1.13
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 Asuncion and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asuncion is in South America and Panama City is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Panama City?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion 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.