Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Da Nang?
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 Da Nang or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Da Nang or Panama City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Da Nang or Panama City?
Da Nang
Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.
With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.
Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.
Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.
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 Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Da Nang Prices
Vietnam PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDa Nang $55Panama City $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Da Nang is $55, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $102. 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 Da Nang and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDa Nang $18Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDa Nang $36Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Da Nang and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Da Nang 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: Da Nang Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Da Nang $11Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:
- Private Roundtrip Transfer to GOLDEN BRIDGE BA NA HILLS & MARBLE MOUNTAIN: $115
- Private Car Transfer to MY LAI MASSACRE & MY SON HOLYAND: $99
- Private Transfer From Hue to Hoi An by Car: $90
- DCAR Limousine to GOLDEN BRIDGE - Private Transfer ( 8-9 Hours): $89
- Golden Bridge-Marble Mountain-HoiAn-Night Market-Private Transfer: $88
- Private Transfer Da nang or Hoi An To Hue Via Ba Na Hill Golden Bridge: $85
- Private Transfer to My Son Holyland-Marble Moutain-Monkey Mountain-Dragon Bridge: $85
- Hue: Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Private Car- English Driver: $85
- Transfer from Da Nang or Hoi An to Hue via Bach Ma National Park: $81
- Golden Bridge - Marble Mountain- Monkey Mountain-PRIVATE TRANSFER: $75
- HAI VAN PASS - Marble Mountain- Monkey Mountain -PRIVATE TRANSFER: $75
- Private Car Transfer to Visit My Son Holyland & Golden Bridge Ba Na Hill fullday: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Transfer to or from the airport / Min 2 pax: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Downtown Panama City, Panama: $23
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
- Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Da Nang or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Da Nang 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 dayDa Nang $27Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.
- Tasty Dinner Han River Dragon Cruise by Yatch & Tradictional Show: $17
- Da Nang Food Tour & Hidden Gems w/ Students By Scooter: $19
- Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show: $21
- Home Cooking Class: Market, Garden and cooking 4 dishes: $26
- Walking Food Tour of Da Nang: $27
- Vietnamese Banh Xeo Cooking Class w.t Traditional Recipes-Private: $30
- Da Nang Street Food Tour On Scooter - up to 12 Tastings: $31
- 6 Hours Cooking Activity Pick up Da Nang: $33
- Da Nang Private Tour Poseidon Dinner Cruise and Hotel Transfer: $33
- Da Nang Food Tour Motorbike & Craft Beer By Ao Dai Lady Rider: $35
- Cooking Class and Tasting Pho in Da Nang with Local Chef: $39
- Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang: $39
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$8.27
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:
- Italian-Panamanian Ravioli Cooking Class + meal in Panama City: $44
- Panama City Market Food Tour & Lunch by Paradox Experience: $50
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Da Nang $13Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Da Nang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:
- 50/50 Da Nang & Hoi An City Private Tour ( 11 Hours ): $135
- Amazing Da Nang Nightlife Tour withMARBLE MOUNTAIN&MONKEY MOUNTAIN,DRAGON BRIDGE: $90
- Ancient Hoi An Town -Walking Tour -Lantern Boat Ride-Night Market: $79
- BA NA HILL - GOLDEN BRIDGE- SUNWORLD - FRENCH VILLAGE - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Tour: $129
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Day Tour Pick up from Da Nang/Hoi An: $65
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Exclusive Tour from Hoi An/Da Nang: $75
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Full-Day Tour: $65
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Full-Day Tour from Da Nang: $79
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Tour: Fantasy Park, Buffet Lunch: $29
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge with Fantasy Park Tour-Optional Lunch: $59
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge | 1 Day Tour From Da Nang: $71
- Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge Full-Day Tour | Flexible Start Times: $49
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Casco Viejo a Panama's Hidden Treasures Walking Tour: $18
- Sunset Bike Tour/ Cinta Costera Casco Viejo by Paradox Experience: $22
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Experience of Salsa in Panama: $25
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
- City Tour guiado en Panamá con Canal y Casco Antiguo: $35
- Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
- Panama Viejo UNESCO Ruins Tour | The Original Panama City: $35
- Panama City : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDa Nang $8.94Panama City $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Da Nang 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 Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang 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 Da Nang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Da Nang Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Panama City?
Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang 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.