Which place is cheaper, Key Largo or Panama City?
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 Panama City or Key Largo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Key Largo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Key Largo?
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.
Key Largo
As the lustrous emerald waters ebb and flow against your sandy toes, you find yourself cooled by the gentle breeze as you bask under a golden sun. To you, it's paradise. To everyone else, it's Key Largo. Located in the northernmost of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known as the dive capital of the world due to its well-preserved coral reefs and clear waters. Just an hour-drive from South Florida's major airports, Key Largo boasts in containing a vast biodiversity, such as tropical hardwoods, creeks, two state parks, a national park, and a portion of a national marine sanctuary. Besides its natural beauty, Key Largo is overflowing with top restaurants and chic boutiques. It is no wonder that Key Largo became a hotspot for Hollywood beach scenes, with even a movie holding its namesake! Whether you look to get your fun by land or by water, there is something for everyone at Key Largo!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesKey Largo Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101Key Largo $256
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in Key Largo is $256. 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 Panama City and Key Largo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Key Largo $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Key Largo $234
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Key Largo
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Key Largo? 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: Panama City Hotel Prices and Key Largo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Key Largo $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts : $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $207
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $207
- 2 Days / 1 Night Tour in Panama: Canal, Hotel and Transfers: $200
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Skip the Line: Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket with Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Colón Cruise Port to Panama City Hotels: $153
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $145
- Transfer from Panama Airport to Colon Cruise Terminal: $110
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key Largo
Also for Key Largo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Key Largo Private Transfers (up to 14 passengers): $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Key Largo?
Prices for flights to both Key Largo and Panama City 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 dayPanama City $36Key Largo $104
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
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $85
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $115
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $200
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $256
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Key Largo $27
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- CITY TOUR to the Old Town ,Canal and 360° view from POIN : $62
- Canopy-ziplining Adventures in Anton Valley: $195
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Horseback riding Agri-Tour and adventures in Colon Private tour: $75
- PRIVATE TOUR to Old Town, Canal and Amador: $65
- Private tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal.: $57
- Street Food Panama Gastronomic Experience: $60
- #1 Panama Stayover City & Canal Tour 2 Visits 1 Fare - Fees incl.: $170
- #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included : $70
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- "Panama Tour: Canal, Old Town, Amador, and Americas Lookout": $145
- 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
Tours and Activities in Key Largo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Key Largo.
- 1.5 Hour Bay Side Key Largo Sunset Cruise on a Spacious Catamaran: $69
- 2 Location Snorkel Tour - Gear Included, 65 minutes per location: $78
- Cruisin' Tikis Key Largo - Sunset Cruise: $99
- Florida Key West Self-Guided Driving Tour (7 Mile Bridge): $17
- Guided Tour Explore Key Largo on Jet Ski : $200
- Half-Day Florida Keys Catamaran Snorkel Adventure: $79
- Historic Carysfort Lighthouse Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Key Largo Bay Sunset Tour: $66
- Key Largo Coral Reef Glass Bottom Boat Adventure : $45
- Key Largo Day Tour: $65
- Key Largo Jetski Tour for 2 : $214
- Key Largo Snorkeling Tour - rental mask, fins and vest INCLUDED: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Key Largo $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Panama City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Panama City:
- Casco Antiguo Guided Bar Crawl: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Panama City is in Central America and Key Largo is in North 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 Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo 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 Panama City Expensive? and Is Key Largo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Key Largo?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Key Largo, 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.