Which place is cheaper, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas?
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 Las Vegas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Las Vegas?
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.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesLas Vegas Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101Las Vegas $369
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in Las Vegas is $369. 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 Las Vegas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Las Vegas $158
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Las Vegas $316
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Las Vegas
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Las Vegas? 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 Las Vegas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Las Vegas $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City: $15
- Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $15
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private Airport Transfer PTY to Panama City or Playa Blanca: $18
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City or Beach: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
- Private Airport Transfer: $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
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24 Hr Bus Pass$15
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24 hrs Deuce Bus$7.00
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Taxi from Airport to the Strip$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
- Los Angeles: Private Transfer to/from Las Vegas: $1,600
- Las Vegas Airport: Party Bus 1-Way Transfer: $329
- Las Vegas Airport Private Luxury Transfer 6 Passenger SUV: $275
- Grand Canyon West Airplane Air Tour from Vegas with transfer: $264
- Round Trip Private Transfer Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas by suv: $245
- Las Vegas Airport LAS Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $225
- From Nellis Dunes ATV Tour with Shuttle Transfer: $200
- Arrival Private Transfer Las Vegas by Luxury SUV or LIMO with 1 hour disposal: $200
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Las Vegas by SUV Cadillac Escalade: $200
- Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to Lake Las Vegas - Round-Trip Transfer: $188
- Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to Lake Las Vegas - Round-Trip Transfer: $188
- Manila ATV Mountain Trail Adventure(with Transfers***): $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Las Vegas?
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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 $36Las Vegas $139
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 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
Typical Food Prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
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Coffee$5.00
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Deep Fried Twinkie$1.07
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Chocolate Dip Banana$1.07
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Gelato$5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
- Dimmare's Martinis and Magic® Ticket: Dinner, Cocktails and Show: $35
- Manila Street Food tour and Drinks Tasting : Eat like a local: $45
- "Classic Country" show & dinner at Firelight Barn in Henderson: $49
- "Back to the Hits" show & dinner at Firelight Barn: $49
- Cowboy Christmas Show & Dinner at Firelight Barn in Henderson NV: $49
- Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites: $51
- Binondo Bites Manila Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Manila Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience and Tasting: $65
- Manila Food Tour Experience with Local Guide: $70
- Makati Street Food tour Experience: $73
- Chocolate Making Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Las Vegas $78
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Casco Viejo Golden Hour Rooftop Sunset Social Experience: $21
- Sunset Bike Tour/ Cinta Costera Casco Viejo by Paradox Experience: $22
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
- City Tour guiado en Panamá con Canal y Casco Antiguo: $35
- Bike tour in Old City and Cinta costera with local markets: $35
- Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
- Panama City : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Walking tour through the Hidden treasures and gems of Casco Viejo: $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
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Wedding Chapel$139
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Atomic Testing Museum (two people)$12
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Gondola Ride (4 person)$64
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Monorail Ride$5.00
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NY NY Rollercoaster$14
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Circus Circus Adventure Dome Day Pass$26
Tours and Activities in Las Vegas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
- 1 Day Small Group Tour of Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend: $289
- 1 Day Tour of Zion National Park Hiking: $199
- 1 Euro High-Speed GoKart Race Ticket With Arcade credit Las Vegas: $30
- 1-Day Grand Canyon Antelope Horseshoe :Stargazing Daily tour: $369
- 1-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Stargazing & Sunrise: $399
- 2 Day Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Tour: $99
- 2 Days Bicol Tour Package from Albay, Philippines: $152
- 2 Hour History Walking Tour of the Strip with Local Historian: $139
- 2 Hour Mob History Tour in Talking GoCar with Mob Museum Entry: $116
- 2-Hour Exotic Car Driving Experience in Las Vegas: $299
- 2-Hour Fremont Walking Tour with Photos and Champagne: $119
- 2-Hour Guided Private Romantic Walking Tour in Bacolod: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Las Vegas $55
Sample the Local Flavors in Las Vegas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
- Bars Unknown Fremont St Bar Crawl with a Local: $31
- Mobsters, Casinos, and Speakeasy Bar Crawl: $35
- Las Vegas Fremont Street Bar Crawl (party bus add-on option): $36
- Bars Unknown: The Original Las Vegas Strip Bar Crawl: $39
- The Burlesque Parody of the Classic Film Ticket: $40
- Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket: $49
- Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino: $49
- Las Vegas Bar Crawl by Party Bus with Free Drinks: $49
- Fantasy Burlesque Show at Luxor Hotel & Casino: $53
- Downtown Las Vegas Bar Crawl 5 Bars 5 Drinks and Poker Game: $53
- Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Mixed Drinks: $55
- Las Vegas Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Free Drinks: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Las Vegas?
Las Vegas has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Las Vegas, 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.