A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Copan vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Copan or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Copan and Panama City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Copan or Panama City?

Copan

If you are a lover of history, or just really want to tap into your inner Indiana Jones, a trip to Copan, Honduras is right up your alley. Located in western Honduras, the cobblestone lined streets and white adobe buildings topped with red roofs provide the beautiful backdrop to this once powerful city.

Occupied by the Maya for 2,000 years, Copan was the ruling city in the southern Mayan kingdom. Settled nicely in a fertile river valley among rolling hills, this city is absolutely fascinating and the perfect place to explore history.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Copan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Copan is $90, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $86. 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 Copan and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Copan $23
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Copan $46
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Copan and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Copan 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.

Hotels in Copan


Hotels in Panama City


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: Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Copan $78
    Panama City $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • AIRPORT TRANSFER 1 way Tocumen/Panama Pacifico/Albrook/Rio Hato : $28
  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $19
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY or PAC Airport to City by Business Car: $63
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY or PAC Airport to City by Luxury SUV: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY or PAC Airport to Panama City by Sedan Car: $40
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama Pacifico Airport BLB to Panama City by Sedan Car: $58
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB) to City by Luxury SUV: $117
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Panama Pacifico Airport BLB to City by SUV: $104
  • Departure Private Transfer Panama City to Panama Airport BLB by SUV: $104
  • Departure Private Transfer Panama City to Panama Airport BLB by Sedan Car: $58
  • Departure Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY or PAC Airport by Sedan Car: $40
  • Departure Private Transfer Panama to Panama PTY or PAC Airport by Business Car: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Copan or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Copan 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 day
    Copan $21
    Panama City $21

Typical Food prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • Sandwich
    $8.26

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:

  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 5-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class : $75
  • Panama: 5-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class and Dinner: $75
  • 4 hours dinner and cocktail activity in Panama: $85
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class Experience: $85
  • The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Copan $25
    Panama City $66

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • Casco Antiguo Virtual Live Tour: $12
  • Bike tour and day tour : $15
  • Skip the Line: Panama La Vieja Admission Ticket: $15
  • Guided Walking Tour in Panama City: $25
  • POIN Swing Experience: $27
  • Bike tour en casco viejo y ciudad de Panamá : $27
  • Panama City Bike Tour: $30
  • Bike Tour Panamá City and the Old Town: $30
  • Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama: $30
  • Sunset Walking Tour at Casco Viejo El Chorrillo and the fish market: $30
  • Morning or afternoon tour in the Old Town of Panama: $30
  • POIN Zipline Experience: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Copan $7.22
    Panama City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Panama City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Panama City:

  • Shore Excursion in SFO - Enchanted Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour in SUV: $228


When comparing the travel costs between Copan and Panama City, we can see that Copan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Which is Bigger, Copan or Panama City?

Panama City is bigger, and its population is about 64.4 times larger than the population of Copan. When comparing the population of Copan vs. 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 and the activities 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.
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Copan vs. Panama City Travel Comparison

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