Which place is cheaper, San Diego 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large 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 PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $102San Diego $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $102, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $251. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35San Diego $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70San Diego $248
Compare Hotels in Panama City and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11San Diego $23
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
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $143
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $143
- Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Coronado/Gorgona - Arrival Transfer: $102
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
- Transfer Colon Cruise Port - Panama Airport: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
- Panama One Way Transfer: Van from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer from SAN to Legoland: $300
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $264
- Private SUV Transfer from San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN: $166
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $165
- Sedan Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego: $160
- Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $140
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- Departure Transfer San Diego City to San Diego Airport SAN: $124
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $36San Diego $84
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 San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
- San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $89
- San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Guided Food Tour: $89
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gaslamp District Food Tour with 6 Local Dishes: $96
- San Diego Gaslamp Food Tour with 6 Modern Californian Tastings: $97
- San Diego Chinese Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $99
- Vegan Italian Cooking Class in San Diego Cucina Migrante: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66San Diego $57
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 San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Polaris GoCar: $231
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park: $90
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour: Downtown San Diego and Old Town or Beaches: $52
- 2.5-Hour Small-Group Catamaran Sailing Adventure with Drinks: $119
- 2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Balboa Park: $82
- 2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Old Town: $82
- 3-Hour Guided Whale and Dolphin Watching Experience in San Diego: $169
- 4 Hour Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour or Rental: $87
- All Day San Diego Scenic Tour: $125
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Balboa Park Electric Scooter Tour with Pictures: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $20
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: True Crime & Ghost Stories: $35
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Beach Cruisers & Dive Bars along Mission Beach Boardwalk: $135
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and San Diego, 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.