Which place is cheaper, Panama City or San Pedro?
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 San Pedro or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or Panama City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Pedro or Panama City?
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
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 Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
-
San Pedro Prices
Belize PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro $164Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $164, 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 and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro $66Panama City $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro $132Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro $34Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Transfer to or from the airport / Min 2 pax: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Downtown Panama City, Panama: $23
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
- Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and San Pedro 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 daySan Pedro $69Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Overwater Fry Jacks Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
- Fry Jacks Cooking Class at San Pedro Belize: $39
- Ceviche Cooking Class at San Pedro Belize: $39
- Belizean Bites Lunch Food Tour in San Pedro: $72
- Savor Belize Dinner Food Tour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: $90
- Belizean Cooking Experience: $95
- Combo Cooking class & interactive Treasure Hunt San Pedro Belize: $171
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:
- 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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro $33Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- 1-Hour Guided Reef Snorkeling Adventure in San Pedro: $60
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $59
- Ambergris Caye Food and History Tour: $75
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
- Ambergris Caye: Discover Scuba Diving Experience: $180
- Belize Adventure Sailing Sunset: $65
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $113
- Belizean Food Experience San Pedro Belize: $91
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure From San Pedro: $210
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve 3 Stops Snorkeling Adventure: $66
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve Half Day Snorkeling Adventure: $70
- Caye Caulker Snorkeling & San Pedro Secret Beach Day Tour: $108
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro $16Panama City $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and Panama City, we can see that San Pedro 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro 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.