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

Should you visit Nha Trang or Panama City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Panama City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Nha Trang or Panama City?

Nha Trang

For the relaxation of a small beach town, plus the energy of a young city, consider Nha Trang, Vietnam. As the most famous seaside town in Vietnam, Nha Trang is certainly livelier than many other beach resort towns. Visiting this part of Vietnam is not for the faint of heart. These people know the meaning of nightlife - and make the night last as long as they can.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Nha Trang?

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

  • Nha Trang Prices
    Vietnam Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nha Trang $48
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Nha Trang is $48, 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 Nha Trang and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nha Trang $13
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nha Trang $26
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Nha Trang and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang


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: Nha Trang Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nha Trang $13
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nha Trang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nha Trang:


  • Local Bus Ticket
    $0.11
  • Taxi From Airport
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nha Trang

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

  • Nha Trang to Hoi An - Private Transfer: $300
  • Nha Trang to Da Nang - Private Transfer: $299
  • Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh - Private Transfer: $250
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center to Tuy Hoa City Center: $133
  • Nha Trang to Quy Nhon - Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center to Da Lat City Center: $119
  • Private Transfer from Nha Trang to Lien Khuong (DLI) Airport: $116
  • Nha Trang To Mui Ne Private Car Transfer: $75
  • Private Transfer from Nha Trang Cruise Port to Nha Trang city: $69
  • Doc Let Beach & Resort to Nha Trang/Cam Ranh Airport - Private Transfer: $65
  • Private Transfer from Nha Trang City to Nha Trang Cruise Port: $62
  • Nha Trang to Yangbay waterfall with Private transfers round-trip: $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $225
  • Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
  • Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
  • San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $160
  • Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $155
  • Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $149
  • Transfer Hotel/Airport to Resorts in Playa - return or return: $125
  • Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Nha Trang or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Nha Trang 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
    Nha Trang $25
    Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Nha Trang

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Nha Trang:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nha Trang

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

  • Seafood Buffet Dinner at The Square Restaurant Novotel Nha Trang: $25
  • Nha Trang Cooking Class (visiting local market & countryside): $67
  • Street Food Tour With Chef Dat: $67
  • Crossing: Sunset Cruise Live Music, Buffet Dinner & DJ Party: $79
  • Nha Trang Special Sunset River Cruise for sightseeing and nice dinner: $82
  • Nha Trang Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
  • Experience Countryside Private Cooking Class in Nha Trang City: $95
  • Private Half-Day Cooking Class in Nha Trang with Pick Up: $97
  • Premium Nha Trang Bay Yacht Sunset Tour and Gourmet Dinner: $105
  • Nha Trang Bay Dinner Cruise Luxury Sunset Experience: $119
  • Nha Trang Luxury Sunset Cruise with Cocktail, Dinner & Live Music: $119
  • Nha Trang Bay Sunset Luxury Cruise – Dinner, Cocktails & Transfer: $119

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • 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:

  • Panamanian Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • Street Food Tour Panama City (28+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nha Trang $9.12
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nha Trang

For Nha Trang, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Po Ngar Cham Entrance (for Two)
    $1.22
  • Two Rental Lounge Chairs on Beach
    $2.68
  • Vinpearl Land Amusement Park
    $17
  • Fairy Spring Waterfall Entrance
    $0.38
  • Thap Ba Mud Bath
    $3.83
  • Cyclo Tour of City (One Day)
    $9.57

Tours and Activities in Nha Trang

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nha Trang.

  • 2 Day Car Tour Excursion Dalat and Mui Ne (Minimum 4 guest): $170
  • 2 Day Nha Trang To Da Lat Tour in Langbiang Datanla Waterfall: $170
  • 2 Day Private Tour to Discover Nha Trang City: $114
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tour to Mui Ne from Nha Trang Included Lunch: $195
  • 3 Hour Pedicab Night Tour Included Street Food With Your Local Guide: $79
  • 3-Hour Pedicab Tour of Nha Trang: $69
  • 6 Hour Nha Trang Heritage and Cultural City Tour: $44
  • A Full Day Tour From Nha Trang To Da Lat Or Vice versa: $90
  • Amazing City Tour & Ba Ho Waterfall By Car (Minimum 02 guest): $59
  • Amazing Snorkeling at Mun Island ( Group Tour ): $29
  • Ba Ho Waterfall & Doc Let Beach Private Day Tour from Nha Trang: $170
  • Ba Ho Waterfall Discovery - Half Day Tour: $35

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included: $70
  • "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
  • 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
  • 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
  • 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
  • 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
  • 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
  • 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
  • 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
  • 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130
  • 5-hour tour in Panama by a Local Guide: $39
  • 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nha Trang $18
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nha Trang Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang 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.