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 Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) 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 $11Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- 4 Day Oaxaca Excursion with Transfer included: $300
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport Arrivals and Departures: $136
- Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $130
- Transfer to Salina Cruz Surf Camps from Huatulco International Airport (HUX): $120
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
- Private Transfer Oaxaca Airport to Hotel or Airbnb 24/7: $74
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $66
- Private Airport Transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Downtown Oaxaca: $60
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $57
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $216
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $216
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $203
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $203
- 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
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $143
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:
- Taste Tequila and Mezcal and enjoy a Traditional Dinner: $16
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated: $35
- Food Tour at the 20 de Noviembre Market (All Inclusive): $52
- Oaxaca: Guided Food Tour with Local Chef and food experts: $54
- Legends and Ghosts Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Oaxaca with Dinner: $55
- Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
- Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour Led by Local food experts: $63
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
- Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $66
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
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$8.26
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $11Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
- 2 Days Sierra Norte Cloud Forest Adventure: $227
- 3 Hour Oaxaca Private Tour, 100% customisable - Best Rated: $55
- 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
- 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
- Amazing experience in the mountain of San Jose del Pacifico: $200
- Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
- An adventure for the senses: Mezcal, fields and crafts.: $76
- Ancestral Mezcal Tour Journey: A Mesoamerican Heritage: $63
- Apoala Magic Waterfalls Hike and Swim Adventure: $120
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour: $55
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
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
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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 Shots and Party Games: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $19
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award Winning Family Distillery: $38
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $65
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $98
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
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.