Which place is cheaper, Miami 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 Miami?
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 Miami can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Miami?
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.
Miami
Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.
Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.
Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.
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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesMiami Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101Miami $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in Miami is $258. 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 Miami in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Miami $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Miami $308
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Miami
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Miami? 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 Miami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Miami $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $75
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $209
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Panama City Private Departure Transfer: $42
- Panama One Way Transfer: Van from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $83
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca - Private Transfer: $79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
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Car Rental for a Day$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale. Van 11 passengers: $299
- Miami Beach: Roundtrip Bimini Ferry & Hotel Transfers: $299
- Private Miami Hotels Transfer to Airport: $265
- Private Airport Transfer From Miami Airport to Hotels and Home: $255
- Round Trip Motorcoach Transfer to Key West from Miami: $245
- Private Transfer Miami South Beach to or from Miami Airport: $220
- Private Transfer Port of Miami to from Miami Airport PremiumSUV: $200
- Private Group Luxury Shuttle Port of Miami Transfer Service: $200
- Private Door-to-Door Transfer: Airport, Port & Hotels in Miami: $195
- Airport Private Transfers, Cruise Terminals and Hotels: $195
- Premier Limousine Miami Airport Hotel Port Transfers in Lux SUV: $195
- Private Transfer Miami Airport to or from Downtown in Premium SUV: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Miami?
Prices for flights to both Miami 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 $36Miami $72
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:
- Italian-Panamanian Ravioli Cooking Class + meal in Panama City: $44
- Panama City Market Food Tour & Lunch by Paradox Experience: $50
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
Typical Food Prices in Miami
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
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Lunch with Drinks (for 2)$45
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David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
- Art Deco Food Tour with Private Cigar & Rum Upgrade: $35
- Historical Walking Food Tour in Calle 8: $50
- 2-Hour Little Havana Food Tour with 6+ Tastings: $53
- South Beach Guided Food Tour with Authentic Tastings: $60
- Miami Street Art & Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros & More: $65
- Miami Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastelitos & Patisseries: $65
- Miami : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $66
- Street Food Tour in Miami with Local Guide: $68
- Little Havana Food Tour: Discover Iconic Cuban Cuisine in Miami: $69
- 3-Hour Little Havana Food Tour with Full Authentic Cuban Meal: $75
- South Beach Food Tour: $75
- Miami Mosaic Signature Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Miami $31
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Casco Viejo a Panama's Hidden Treasures Walking Tour: $18
- Sunset Bike Tour/ Cinta Costera Casco Viejo by Paradox Experience: $22
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
- Experience of Salsa in Panama: $25
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- City Tour guiado en Panamá con Canal y Casco Antiguo: $35
- Panama Viejo UNESCO Ruins Tour | The Original Panama City: $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): $35
Tours and Activities in Miami
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- #1 Private Boat Tour and 1 Hour Free Jet Ski Rental in Miami: $349
- 1 Hour ATV Tour & Horseback Riding Combo Experience: $240
- 1 Hour ATV Tour and Jet Ski Adventure Miami: $220
- 1 Hour Jetski Adventure: $60
- 1 Hour Jetski Adventure in Miami: $180
- 1 Hour Miami Jet Ski Adventure + Complimentary Boat Ride: $88
- 1 Hour Star Island Segway Tour: $74
- 1 hr Private Airboat Everglades Tour near Miami: $225
- 1-Hour 2-Seater UTV Tours: $225
- 1h Classic Car Tour Miami Beach, Late Afternoon or Night Time.: $199
- 2 Hour Serenity and Scenery Yacht Cruise Miami: $219
- 2 hours ATV Adventure in Miami with Free Passenger: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Miami $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
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Evening at a Bar$32
Sample the Local Flavors in Miami
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
- #1 Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $21
- Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $26
- Wynwood Pub Crawl with Drinks & VIP Club Entry: $27
- Guided Bar Crawl with Drinks Discounts and Club Entry: $29
- Miami Wynwood Pub Crawl: Complimentary Drinks & Club Entry: $30
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- BigBeach Bar Crawl - South Beach Bar Hop and Club Experience: $40
- Pedal Pub Wynwood Art District Party Bike Pub Crawl: $48
- Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Miami, we can see that Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami 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 Miami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Miami?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Miami, 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.