Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Freeport?
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 Freeport 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 Freeport 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: Freeport or Panama City?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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 Adventure Tours to Panama.
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Freeport Prices
Bahamas PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $290Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $290, 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 Freeport and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Freeport and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Freeport 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: Freeport Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Freeport Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): Transfer to Freeport: $257
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $230
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $230
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort : $230
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $164
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $164
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $164
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer to the Port Lucaya Market: $150
- Grand Bahama Airport: One-Way Transfer to Freeport Hotels: $137
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Freeport Airport to Hotel: $133
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $87
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $269
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): Private Transfer to Coronado: $266
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): Transfer to Decameron hotels: $262
- Round trip transfer in private Car from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca-Farallon: $240
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca - Private Transfer: $204
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $170
- Panama Airport Transfer from Tocumen PTY to Playa Blanca: $170
- Panama Tocumen Airport to Decameron - Arrival Private Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Colón Port: $155
- Skip the Line: Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket with Transfer: $155
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Freeport or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Freeport 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 dayFreeport $110Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
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:
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $85
- Night Out Experience (360 Panoramic Views + Dinner Show): $85
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$300
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- 4 Hour Private Sandy Cay Experience with Snorkeling - Adults Only: $285
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour : $200
- Eleuthera Adventure: Swings, Pigs, and Reefs: $600
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $83
- Junkanoo Adventure with Bahamian Cuisine Tasting: $850
- Junkanoo Village Beach Club Cruise Tour with Lunch: $80
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $95
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $80
- Rumbo Tour : $90
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
- City Tour y Canal de Panamá: $35
- Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo Tour: $115
- Panama a quick and memorable tour: $80
- "Panama Tour: Canal, Old Town, Amador, and Americas Lookout": $145
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
- 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
- 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
- 5 Hours Tour to Monkey Island Embera community Gamboa Panama: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $30Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and Panama City, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport is in Caribbean Islands 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 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Panama City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Freeport Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Freeport or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Freeport 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.