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

Should you visit Granada or Panama City?

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

Should I visit Granada 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: Granada or Panama City?

Granada

Granada is a city of southern Spain located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Perhaps the most notable feature of the city is its medieval architecture that dates to the Moorish occupation of Spain. Each example stands from another time and place, strong fortresses and castles against the backdrop of lumbering mountains. Yet they are surrounded by a city thriving with modern day quirks. From castles and fortresses to bars, restaurants, and cafes, Granada is a unique setting for an otherworldly getaway.

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 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Granada?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Granada Prices
    Spain Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Granada €150
    Panama City €90

The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €150, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €90. 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 Granada and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Granada €59
    Panama City €31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Granada €118
    Panama City €62
Compare Hotels in Granada and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Granada 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 Granada


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: Granada Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Granada €22
    Panama City €9.40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:


  • 7 Trip Bus Pass
    €5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

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

  • Private transfer Granada downtown to Málaga airport (Agp): $313
  • Granada to Cordoba Private Transfer: $277
  • Cordoba and its Mosque from Granada with Semiprivate Transfer: $251
  • Alhambra: Premium Excursion with Guaranteed Transfer from Cruises-Malaga: $239
  • From Granada; Private transfer to Sierra Nevada (all hotels): $227
  • Via Ferrata Moclín with Transfers: $111
  • Granada Private Transfer from the city centre to Granada Airport: $74
  • Private Transfer Granada to Granada Train Station by Luxury van: $70
  • Private Transfer Granada City to Granada Airport GRX by Sedan: $60
  • Private Luxury Airport Transfer: $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • VIP transfers from the Airport to your Hotel in Panama: $40
  • VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
  • Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
  • Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $45
  • Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Hotels: $90
  • Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
  • Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or Back: $35
  • Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
  • Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port: $35
  • Transfer Colon Cruise Port - Panama Airport: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Granada 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
    Granada €64
    Panama City €32
Typical Food Prices in Granada

For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Sangria
    €2.50
  • Sandwich to go
    €3.00
  • Bocadillo & Drink
    €6.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada

For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Flamenco Show with Dinner at Jardines de Zoraya: $56
  • Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $68
  • The Granada Market and Tapas Food Tour: $71
  • Flamenco and Andalusian Dinner Show in the Caves of Granada: $74
  • Dinner with Paella on a Terrace in the Albayzín and Live Flamenco: $75
  • Flamenco Show in Granada's Albayzín Cave with Tapas Dinner: $76
  • Walking Food Tour: $82
  • Albaicín and Old Town Food Tour with 8 Tastings: $89
  • Granada Food Tour Tapas Drinks and Delights with Local: $101
  • Food Tour in Granada: $115

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    €7.33

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 Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show - All Inclusive Experience: $70
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
  • Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Granada €28
    Panama City €58

Tours and Activities in Granada

For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adventure Cahorros, Monachil/ Climbing and abseiling Granada: $111
  • Adventure in e-MTB: Challenge Pico Veleta at 3398m altitude: $86
  • Adventure of Via Ferrata in The Spider in the Sierra de Güéjar: $57
  • Albaicín & Sacromonte Walking Tour: $16
  • Albaicín & Sacromonte: Tour with Flamenco Show: $33
  • Albaicín and Sacromonte Tour + Flamenco Show: $228
  • Albaicin & Sacramonte Electric Bike Tour in Granada: $51
  • Albaicin and Sacromonte Private Tour: $114
  • Albaicin and Sacromonte: Guided tour and sunset at Mirador San Nicolas: $34
  • Albayzín: Granada's Albayzín Tour with Food Tasting: $93
  • Alhambra & Generalife Guided Tour with Optional Granada City Tour: $185
  • Alhambra & Generalife Skip the Line Premium Tour including Nasrid Palaces: $79

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
  • 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
  • 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
  • 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
  • 4 Hours Private City Tour & Canal in Panama: $70
  • 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 hour tour in Panama City: $35
  • 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130
  • 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Granada €24
    Panama City €16

Sample the Local Flavors in Granada

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:

  • Winefulness wine tasting, mindfulness, and senses that awaken: $47
  • Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Panama City, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Europe 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 Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Granada or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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.