Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Montevideo?
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 Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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: Montevideo or Panama City?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, 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 Montevideo and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $6.99Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
- Private & Exclusive Transfer MVD Airport, Port or Hotel: $122
- Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo O Punta to Montevideo: $98
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $84
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $84
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $79
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $70
- Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
- Shared One-Way Transfer: Airport ↔ Hotel: $49
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $220
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $220
- Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $208
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $146
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
- Premium Private Transfer : Airport to Hotel Panama city: $85
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Montevideo 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 dayMontevideo $22Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Montevideo Street Food Tour With 5 tastings: $64
- Private Uruguayan Cooking Class with Local Chef: $85
- Uruguayan Wine Pairing Dinner at City Winery Uruguay: $90
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
- Dinner and Tango Show at Primuseum Restaurant: $100
- Dinner and Tango Show at the Historic Bar Fun Fun, Established in 1895: $100
- Traditional Dinner & Tango Show at Primuseum: $110
- Food Tour with Asado, Chivito, and Mate: $221
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$8.24
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 City Market Food Tour & Lunch | Paradox Experience: $50
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- “Discovering Montevideo” – Shared Small-Group Tour for Cruise Passengers: $65
- Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $36
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Authentic Uruguayan Roast Experience in Montevideo: $115
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $450
- Bodega Santa Rosa: Passadore Family Tasting Tour with Lunch: $86
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Club Atlético Peñarol Match Live Experience: $157
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
- Complete Tour of Uruguay: $1,455
- Cruise-Friendly Shared Tour: Explore Montevideo’s Best: $69
- Discover Top-Rated Shared Tour for Cruise Passengers: $69
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
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
- 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 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4 Hours Private Tour in Panama City Highlights: $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 by a Local Guide: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Bodega Pizzorno wine tasting in Montevideo: $45
- Wine tasting of 4 wines from 4 wineries & empanadas in Montevideo: $50
- Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $125
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
- Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Panama City?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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.