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 Budget Tours to Panama, The Best One-Week (7-Day) 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:
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $223
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $223
- Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $210
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $147
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $147
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$8.25
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 Food Tour Local Markets Immersion (Tasting tour + Lunch): $50
- Unique Ravioli Fusion Cooking Class with lunch in Panama City: $55
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
- Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
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.
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
- 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
- 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 Nights in San Blas - Shared Cabin + Meals + Boat Tour: $179
- 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
- 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
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
- 90-Minute Key Largo Sunset Cruise: $59
- Cruisin Tikis Key Largo - Sunset Tiki Cruise: $99
- Cruisin Tikis Key Largo - Tiki Fun Cruise: $80
- Discover Florida Keys: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.24
- Florida Key West Self-Guided Driving Tour (7 Mile Bridge): $17
- Guided Tour Explore Key Largo on Jet Ski: $200
- Jet Ski Eco Tour through Key Largo: $195
- Key Largo Adventure Jetski Tour: $214
- Key Largo Bay Dolphin Sunset Tour: $66
- Key Largo Coral Reef Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $45
- Key Largo Discover Scuba Diving Experience (No Experience Needed): $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Key Largo $24
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.