Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Quepos 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 Quepos and Panama City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Panama City?
Quepos
Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.
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 Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
-
Quepos Prices
Costa Rica PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $155Panama City $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $155, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $102. 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 Quepos and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $85Panama City $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $170Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Quepos 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.
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: Quepos Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $11Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Quepos Port to Liberia Int Airport (LIR): $255
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to Liberia City Hotels: $255
- Private Airport Transfer to Manuel Antonio: $250
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings: $229
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to the Sierpe: $213
- Private Transfer FROM or TO Manuel Antonio - Sierpe: $209
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $205
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Arenal La Fortuna: $195
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Puntarenas city to Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO)-Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Manuel Antonio: $88
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Manuel Antonio: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
- 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 to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
- Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or Back: $32
- Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
- Transfer Tocumen Airport to Hotel Westin or Dreams Playa Bonita: $55
- Transfer Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita (Westin and Dreams): $38
- Transfer Panama City to Columbus Cruise Port: $50
- Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Quepos 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 dayQuepos $57Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$16
-
Seafood Dinner (for 1)$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
- Local Flavor Cooking Experience: $96
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $97
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
-
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:
- Panamanian Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quepos $19Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Damas Mangrove Kayak Tour from Quepos – Wildlife: $65
- 2-Hour Kayak Tour in Quepos Mangroves – See Monkeys & Lunch: $77
- ATV Tour Half Day Trip From Manuel Antonio: $134
- All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $86
- All Inclusive Nauyaca Waterfalls Adventure: $150
- All Inclusive Zip line & Catamaran Eco Adventure: $170
- All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Barista Experience Workshop: $120
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $25
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
- 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
- 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
- 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
- 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 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 hours Whale Watching Experience from Panama City: $100
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $16Panama City $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Panama City, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Quepos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quepos 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 Quepos Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quepos or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Quepos. When comparing the sizes of Quepos 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.
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.