A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pokhara vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pokhara or Panama City?

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 Pokhara and Panama City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pokhara or Panama City?

Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Pokhara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Pokhara Prices
    Nepal Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pokhara $23
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $23, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. 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 Pokhara and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pokhara $3.70
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pokhara $7.40
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Panama City? 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.

Hotels in Pokhara


Hotels in Panama City


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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pokhara $7.21
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:

  • Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $250
  • Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
  • Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
  • Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
  • From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
  • Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
  • Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu Transfer by Private Car: $99
  • "Exclusive Private Transfer: Pokhara to Chitwan in a Luxury car": $85
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 2 Days 1 Night Tour in Panama : Hotel and Transfers: $278
  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to City by Luxury SUV: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Panama City by SUV: $75
  • Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY Airport: $84
  • One Way Private transfer Panama City PTY Airport to City: $19
  • Panamá Tocumen Airport Hotel or airbnb Transfer: $25
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $34
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $67
  • Guided Panama Canal & City Tour with Transfers: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Pokhara 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pokhara $13
    Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.25
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $2.84
  • Pastries
    $1.42
  • Dinner
    $6.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.

  • Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
  • Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
  • MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
  • Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
  • 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
  • Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
  • Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
  • 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
  • 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • 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 Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
  • Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
  • Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
  • Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
  • Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
  • Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pokhara $6.87
    Panama City $66

Tours and Activities in Pokhara

Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $99
  • Pokhara To Kathmandu Private Tour with Luxuries Car and Jeep: $100
  • “Pokhara in a Day: Guided Tour of Natural Wonders & Sacred Sites": $75
  • "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
  • "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
  • "Private Jeep Adventure: Scenic Drive to Dharapani from Pokhara": $200
  • "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
  • 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
  • 110 Meters Bungee Jumping Tour in Pokhara: $105
  • 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
  • 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
  • 2 Night 3 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $240

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Panama Casco Viejo: Walking Tour Must See Treasures!!!: $25
  • Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera: $26
  • Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $27
  • Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama: $29
  • Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
  • Causeway and Old Town Night Tour: $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • walking tour in Casco Antiguo !: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Guided Walking Tour in Panama City: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pokhara $6.20
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pokhara is in Asia and Panama City is in Central 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 Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Pokhara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Panama City, 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.