Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Oaxaca de Juarez?
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 Oaxaca de Juarez or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez 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: Oaxaca de Juarez or Panama City?
Oaxaca de Juarez
Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.
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 Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $51Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $51, 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $18Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez 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: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Visit Puerto Escondido: Private Transfer from Oaxaca: $588
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $436
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $408
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel/house .: $89
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $82
- Private Luxury Transfer from the Oaxaca Airport to your Hotel: $75
- Oaxaca: Santiago Apoala Waterfall Day Trip with Transfers: $71
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca : $67
- Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $60
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Oaxaca Airport: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2 Days 1 Night Tour in Panama : Hotel and Transfers: $278
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Private Transfer from Panama City Hotels to Colón Cruise Port: $158
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $150
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Panama Airport (PTY) - Playa Blanca : $142
- Private Transfer Hotel or Airport to Resorts in Playa Blanca. One way: $125
- Transfer from Panama Airport to Colon Cruise Terminal: $110
- Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Coronado/Gorgona - Arrival Transfer: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Oaxaca de Juarez 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 dayOaxaca de Juarez $22Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez
For Oaxaca de Juarez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated : $35
- Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $55
- Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
- Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75
- Oaxaca Central de Abastos Market Food Tour : $78
- Oaxaca: 10 Mexican Salsas Cooking Class with Taco Tasting: $80
- 10 Mexican salsas, enjoy cooking and tasting them in Oaxaca: $80
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:
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
- Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- Shared Santa Maria Del Tule Bike Tour: $45
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $120
- 3 Hour Oaxaca Private Tour, 100% customisable - Best Rated : $45
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 7 Hrs Guided Day of the Dead Crafts & Gastronomy Tour from Oaxaca: $199
- Agave Adventures Mexico: $94
- Amazing Hierve el Agua Private Tour: $287
- Amazing Monte Alban and City tour Private Tour: $200
- Ancestral Mezcal Experience + ceramics + Alebrijes + Market: $199
- Ancestral Mezcal Tour Experience A pre Hispanic Heritage: $65
- Apoala Magic Waterfalls Hike and Swim Adventure: $123
- Archaeological sites Tour and Red Pottery in Tlacolula : $170
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Horseback riding and Agri-Tour in Colon Private tour: $75
- Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
- Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo Tour: $115
- Panama a quick and memorable tour: $68
- San Blas Islands, 4-Island Tour All-Inclusive Welcome Cocktail: $149
- #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included : $70
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- “Panama at Your Rhythm: Private Tour with Canal, Old Town and More”: $67
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour " : $100
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $13Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $17
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
- Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $50
- From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
- Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery tour: $55
- Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $101
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
- Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua, Mezcal Distillery, and Lunch Tour: $272
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez 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.