Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Chiang Mai?
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 Chiang Mai or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Panama City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Chiang Mai or Panama City?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $58Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $58, 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 Chiang Mai and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.00Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.20
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Moped Rental$5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Temples Tour with Premium Transfer: $240
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $187
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (one way only): $175
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai Or Pai to Chiang Mai: $175
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $140
- 3 Days 2 Nights Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $121
- Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao Cave and Hill Tribe Tour with Transfer: $99
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $70
- Chiang Mai Mae Wang Day Trek and Raft with Lunch Transfer: $59
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer by Private Van – Arrival or Departure: $52
- Chiang Mai Transfer to Houay Xay, Laos: $48
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $208
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $152
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $146
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $146
- Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Decameron -Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Coronado/Gorgona - Arrival Transfer: $104
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $20Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.86
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.72
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Casual Breakfast$1.20
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.01
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Mangoes$0.90
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Coffee$1.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $12
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $12
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $28
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- Half-Day Cooking Class: $28
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $29
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai: $30
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show Tour in Chiang Mai: $30
- Home Cooking Class in Chiang Mai at Tomyumthai Cooking School: $30
- Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $30
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour From Chiang Mai: $30
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$8.24
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:
- Panama Food Tour Local Markets Immersion (Tasting tour + Lunch): $50
- Italian-Panamanian Ravioli Cooking Class + meal in Panama City: $55
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$39
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.80
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Kratong Lessons$3.00
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Pedicure$4.51
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.41
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $160
- 1 Day Private Tour Unseen in Lamphun Province: $119
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour: $199
- 1 Day Trek and Bamboo Rafting Tour in Chiang Mai: $83
- 1 Day Trek and Sticky Waterfall Tour in Chiang Mai: $83
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $144
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $92
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking and 3HR Trekking Adventure: $107
- 2 Days Baan Pa Pong Piang and Doi Inthanon National Park Tour: $256
- 2 Days Hiking Tour in Chiang Mai: $123
- 2026 Chiangmai Authentic (NUT) Sky Lanterns Festival Tickets: $199
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
- 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
- 5-Star Embera Village Tour | Waterfall, Lunch & River: $75
- 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65
- 5hrs Panama City and Canal Tour + Amenities: $65
- 7 hour Miraflores Locks + Sloth Sancturay in Gamboa Tour: $150
- ALL INCLUSIVE San Blas Islands Day Tour on Sailboat: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.44Panama City $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$3.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: 4 Venues, Beer Buffet & VIP Entry: $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Panama City?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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.