Should you visit Santorini or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini 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: Santorini or Panama City?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €89. 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 Santorini and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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:
Santorini Hotel Prices and
Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini:
$5,960
-
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santorini APT-HTL(JTR):
$202
-
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santorini HTL-APT(JTR):
$202
-
Santorini - Shore Excursion with Boat Transfer:
$183
-
Luxury Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open bar & Transfer:
$172
-
Santorini Small-Group Catamaran Sailing Trip(BBQ,drinks, transfer):
$149
-
Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer:
$149
-
Santorini Catamaran Cruise: with Lunch, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers:
$126
-
Santorini Private transfer up to 8 persons:
$126
-
Santorini Sunset Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, drinks, transfer:
$126
-
Santorini Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfer:
$126
-
Luxury Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Lunch, BBQ, Drinks, Transfers:
$117
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Santorini 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 day
Santorini €96
Panama City €32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine:
$92
-
Farm to Table Food Tour Experience in Santorini:
$92
-
Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class:
$97
-
Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine:
$103
-
The Aegean Cooking Class at Ftelos Brewery:
$114
-
Clandestine Dinner by Petra Kouzina:
$120
-
Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers:
$126
-
Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu:
$126
-
Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings:
$143
-
Small Group Cooking Lesson & Wine Tasting at Award-Winning Winery:
$160
-
Miss Anna Santorini BAKING Cooking Class:
$172
-
Santorini : Night Hike, Wine Tasting and Dinner:
$177
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
-
"Discover Santorini on Wheels with private local tour guide!":
$69
-
(5h) Santorini Discovery Private Tour–Oia, Villages & Black Beach:
$74
-
2-Day Santorini Bus Tour with Volcanic Cruise:
$114
-
4 Hours Private Santorini Tour Hidden Gems and Caldera Views:
$252
-
4 Hours Private Sightseeing Tour in Santorini:
$149
-
5 Hour Cruise-Friendly Hassle-Free Tour Skipping Sky Tram Lines:
$74
-
5 Hour Mini-Group Santorini Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers:
$84
-
5 Hour Santorini Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers:
$79
-
5 Hour Tour - Skip Sky Tram Direct Port Pickup:
$95
-
5-hour My Santorini Private Guided Tour:
$183
-
6-Hour Private Best of Santorini Experience:
$223
-
6-Hour Private Custom Santorini Tour-A Full Experience Of The Island.:
$235
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
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Beer Tasting and Pairing Experience at Ftelos Brewery:
$29
-
Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery:
$40
-
Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience:
$40
-
Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option:
$63
-
Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Pairing:
$69
-
Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting:
$71
-
Santorini Wine Tasting Museum:
$79
-
Santorini Wine & Village Experience–Megalochori &Wine Tasting(4h):
$92
-
Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views:
$102
-
Santorini Wine Tasting & Oia Scenic Tour:
$113
-
Guided ATV Tour with Wine Tasting:
$114
-
Santorini Wine Tasting & Premium Lunch at Award-Winning Winery:
$126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Panama City, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe 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 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Panama City?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.
Related Articles for Santorini
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