Should you visit Clearwater or Panama City?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Clearwater 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. So, let's dig into it.
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.
Panama City
As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.
Which city is cheaper, Panama City or Clearwater?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Clearwater is $241, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $179. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Clearwater and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $208 for a double occupancy room in Clearwater.
A hotel room in Panama City is about $206 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The average traveler spends about $38 per day in Clearwater for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Panama City cost around $53 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $21.
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Food
Meals for one day
Clearwater $38
Panama City $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Panama City.
-
Food Tour - Panama Gastronomy:
$102
-
Casco Antiguo Sunset Walking Tour with Dinner:
$170
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The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour:
$200
-
Whale Watching + Beach + Seafood Dinner - BEST VALUE IN PANAMA:
$205
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Clearwater is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $177 per person, per day, on local transportation in Clearwater.
The average price of local transportation around Panama City is $38 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Clearwater
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:
-
Clearwater Beach to St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) -Departure Private Transfer:
$37
-
Clearwater Beach to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$83
-
Private Transfer from Clearwater Beach to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
-
Private Transfer from Clearwater Beach to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$588
-
Private Transfer from Clearwater Beach to Port Canaveral:
$658
-
St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer:
$75
-
St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Arrival Private Transfer:
$37
-
St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$147
-
St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach -Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Panama City:
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Transfer to Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks):
$11
-
Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY):
$12
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Panama City Airport (PTY):
$12
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Tocumen International Airport to Panama City Hotels:
$15
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Shared Departure Transfer: Panama City Hotels to Tocumen International Airport:
$15
-
Airport Private Transfer Tocumen Direct to Panama City:
$18
-
Transfer to Dreams Playa Bonita:
$18
-
Private Airport Transfer: Panama City to Tocumen International Airport (PTY):
$19
-
Private Airport Transfer: Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Panama City:
$19
-
Transfer from Panama City to Tocumen Airport:
$19
-
Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Downtown Panama City, Panama:
$20
-
Private Transfer Airport PTY to Panama City:
$22
Entertainment
Panama City's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $15 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Clearwater
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:
-
Beach Cruiser Bicycle:
$15
-
Journey through Space Simulator Experience:
$15
-
Clearwater Encounters with Dolphins Tour:
$20
-
Dolphin Sightseeing Tour of Clearwater Beach with Free Ice Cream:
$21
-
Clearwater Daytime Yacht Music Cruise with Optional Dining:
$22
-
Clearwater Evening Yacht Cruise with Optional Dining:
$22
-
Adventure Boat in Clearwater Beach:
$23
-
Sea Screamer Dolphin Tour Boat Ride Ticket:
$25
-
Sunset Cruise from Clearwater:
$27
-
Clearwater Dolphin-Watching Tour:
$27
-
Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach:
$32
-
Calypso Queen Tropical Party Buffet Cruise:
$35
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Here are a few actual costs in Panama City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Casco Antiguo Virtual Live Tour:
$12
-
Skip the Line: Panama La Vieja Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Dolphin Sightseeing Tour on The Footloose Catamaran from Panama City Beach:
$25
-
Sea Breeze Champagne Adventure:
$28
-
Panama City and Canal Tour ( Centro de Visitante de Miraflores):
$31
-
Private Panama Canal Tour:
$41
-
Tour Colonial Panama:
$42
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Shopping Tour in Panama:
$42
-
Panama Viejo Ruins Sightseeing Tour:
$43
-
Panama City Tour highlight:
$45
-
Panama City E-Bike Adventure:
$48
-
Panama City Sunset E-Bike Adventure:
$48
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Panama City may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $45 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Panama City
Also in Panama City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Panama Bar Crawl (private):
$33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Panama City, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Panama City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Panama City 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Panama City.
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