Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Los Angeles?
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.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesLos Angeles Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $102Los Angeles $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $102, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $299. 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 Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Los Angeles $138
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Los Angeles? 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 Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Los Angeles $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP transfers from the Airport to your Hotel in Panama: $32
- VIP Private Transfer: Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Panama City Hotels: $44
- Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
- Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $45
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
- Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or Back: $35
- Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
- Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port: $35
- Transfer Colon Cruise Port - Panama Airport: $90
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
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Hotel Parking for a Day$22
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Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers between LAX Airport and Los Angeles: $542
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX): Private Luxury Transfer: $389
- Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation: $300
- 【Japanese Driver Commitment】 Los Angeles International Airport⇒Down Hotel We provide Japanese hospitality and security with a transfer service.: $290
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $285
- Convenient Long Beach Cruise Terminal Transfers to/from LAX: $275
- Private Airport Transfer in California: $269
- Private Transfer - Los Angeles Airport(LAX) to Santa Barbara Port: $268
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $268
- Los Angeles Airport(LAX) to Anaheim - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $252
- Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Business Car: $251
- 1-Way Private Transfer from LAX to Disneyland: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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 $36Los Angeles $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$8.27
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:
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show - All Inclusive Experience: $70
- Panama City by Night: Rooftop Skyline, Dinner & Folklore Show: $85
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $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 Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
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Burritos for Two$15
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Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Silverlake Food Tour with Comedian Guide: $85
- Los Angeles : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $85
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- LA Food Tour: 6 Iconic Downtown Tastings & Secret Dish: $92
- Los Angeles Downtown Authentic Food Tour with 5 Local Dishes: $93
- 6 Authentic Tastings of Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
- LA Chinatown & Olvera St. Food Tour with To Live and Dine in LA: $99
- The Immigrant & Historic Businesses of Silver Lake Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Los Angeles $83
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
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
- 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
- 5-hour tour in Panama by a Local Guide: $39
- 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65
- 5hrs Panama City and Canal Tour + Amenities: $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
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Bowling$13
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Hollywood Tour for Two$30
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Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 11 Pax| Yellowstone 7 Day Tour from Los Angels with Starlink: $1,998
- 2-Day Private Surf Tour with Lunch: $2,000
- 2-Hour Celebrity Homes Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Bel Air: $195
- 2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour: $39
- 20 Min Ferrari tour in Hollywood (Drive or Be driven): $99
- 20 Min Lamborghini tour in Hollywood (Drive or be driven): $139
- 20-Minute Driving Tour: Hollywood to Sunset Blvd in a Lamborghini: $139
- 20-Minute Tour: Hollywood Blvd to Sunset Blvd in a Ferrari: $70
- 3 Hours Beverly Hills Private Bike Tour with a Local Guide: $172
- 3.5-Hour Private Tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills by SUV: $399
- 30-Minute Driving Tour: Explore Hollywood in a Lamborghini: $189
- 30-Minute Luxury Driving Tour: Explore Hollywood in a Ferrari: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $30
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting: $30
- LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
- Santa Monica's Only Winery: Sommelier Guided Wine Tasting: $50
- 2 Hours Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Glendale California: $55
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Los Angeles, 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.