Which place is cheaper, Panama City or San Pedro La Laguna?
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 San Pedro La Laguna or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna or Panama City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: San Pedro La Laguna or Panama City?
San Pedro La Laguna
Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.
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 Budget Tours to Guatemala, The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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San Pedro La Laguna Prices
Guatemala PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro La Laguna $44Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $44, 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 San Pedro La Laguna and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro La Laguna $8.24Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro La Laguna $16Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna 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: Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $13Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna
Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer From Panajachel Atitlan to Antigua: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $20
- Transfers: $37
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Transfer to Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks): $14
- Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
- Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
- Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
- Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
- Transfer Tocumen Airport to Hotel Westin or Dreams Playa Bonita: $68
- Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port : $30
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro La Laguna or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and San Pedro La Laguna 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 daySan Pedro La Laguna $19Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lemonade$2.06
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Cake$1.29
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Ice cream$0.39
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Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $44
- Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $50
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$8.25
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:
- Causeway: Bike & Panamanian Food Tour now with Audio Guide.: $49
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $85
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $115
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $200
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $255
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $22Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Canopy Tour (for 2)$39
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Kayaking (for 2)$1.93
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Coffee Tour (for 2)$6.95
Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Atitlan Boat tour from Puerto Quetzal (Group): $125
- 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
- Authentic Art and Culture Tour in San Juan La Laguna: $35
- Authentic local experience with a community of women: $72
- Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
- Bicycle Tour Around Lake Atitlan with Weaving Coops and Coffee Plantations: $112
- Biking tour through the towns of Santa Catarina and San Antonio: $46
- Boat tour in Mayan villages: $85
- Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $83
- Coffee Tour in Lake Atitlán: $36
- Day of the Dead Giant Kite Festival Cultural Experience: $35
- Discover the Villages of Lake Atitlan Private Boat Tour: $255
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Canopy-ziplining Adventures in Anton Valley: $195
- Embera Village Tour,Canoe Ride, Hidden Waterfall: $75
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Horseback riding Agri-Tour and adventures in Colon Private tour: $120
- Private Layover Canal & City Tour: $59
- Private tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal.: $63
- San Blas Island-Hopping : Full-Day Adventure from Panama City: $119
- #1 Panama Stayover City & Canal Tour 2 Visits 1 Fare - Fees incl.: $170
- #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included : $70
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $32
- "Panama Tour: Canal, Old Town, Amador, and Americas Lookout": $145
- 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro La Laguna $5.58Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Panama City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Panama City:
- Casco Antiguo Guided Bar Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro La Laguna and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro La Laguna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro La Laguna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro La Laguna 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 San Pedro La Laguna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro La Laguna or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Pedro La Laguna. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro La Laguna 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.