Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
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 Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Panama, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101Lima $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in Lima is $96. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Lima $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Lima $6.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $18
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $19
- VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City or Beach: $20
- Tocumen Airport to Hotel Transfer in Panama City: $22
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Private Airport Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Old Town(Casco Viejo): $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.83
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Taxi Ride$5.83
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Short Taxi Ride$4.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $192
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $192
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $192
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $189
- Transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel and vice versa: $175
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers: $99
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $36Lima $33
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
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.66
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Ice cream$3.79
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Coffee$3.21
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Donut$1.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Off the Radar Lima Food Tour Hidden Spots Pisco and Local Vibes: $4.00
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $43
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $50
- Lima : Cooking Class, Chef Le Cordon Bleu, Tuk Tuk and Fiesta: $51
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- Barranco Food Tour: $60
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Lima $9.30
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- BEC Immersive Museum: Panama Through Your Senses Admission Ticket: $15
- Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
- Private Historic Tour of the Old Town: $15
- Panama Old Town Tour: Learn about our History and Culture: $22
- 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
- Museum of Illusions Panama Admission Ticket: $26
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $26
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Panama City Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.48
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 2D Tour from Lima Paracas and Huacachina with Night in Huacachina: $230
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $143
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
- A Half Day Lima City Tour: $45
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Lima $6.05
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.84
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Beer$4.37
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Cocktail$3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
When comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Lima, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Panama City is in Central America and Lima is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Lima, 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.