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

Should you visit Siem Reap or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Siem Reap 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: Siem Reap or Panama City?

Siem Reap

Located in northern Cambodia, Siem Reap is the closest town to Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat. It is a comfortable and laid back town and most visitors use it as a base to explore the country's most visited destination. Although Siem Reap was once a quaint village, it has continued to grow and change to meet the needs of the many tourists who visit every year. Siem Reap has become a very touristy town with easy access to restaurants, hotels, and shops. It also has a large expatriate community and the western influences are unavoidable. Although prices remain quite low, they are higher than you might find elsewhere in Cambodia.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phnom Penh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Siem Reap, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Siem Reap?

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 Siem Reap is $94, 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 Siem Reap and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Siem Reap $51
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Siem Reap $102
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Siem Reap and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap 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 Siem Reap


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: Siem Reap Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Siem Reap $8.79
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Siem Reap

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $13
  • Bike Rentals
    $1.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:

  • From Private Transfer to Mondulkiri: $395
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Koh Chang: $368
  • Taxi Transfer Siem Reap to Kratie - English Speaking Driver: $360
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Pattaya: $285
  • Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Bangkok: $258
  • 3-Day Easy Angkor Tour with Airport Transfers: $249
  • Siem Reap to Kampot Taxi, Private Car Transfer & Vice Versa: $235
  • Transfer Siem Reap to Sihanoukville Safe Private Taxi Driver: $224
  • Private Taxi Transfer to/from Battambang: $190
  • Private Transfer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $145
  • Private Transfer to/from Sihanoukville: $137
  • Private Transfer Cross Boarder to/from Siem Reap - Koh Chang: $127

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $75
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $209
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Panama City Private Departure Transfer: $42
  • Panama One Way Transfer: Van from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $83
  • Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
  • Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca - Private Transfer: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Siem Reap or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Siem Reap 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
    Siem Reap $28
    Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Siem Reap

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


  • Breakfast for Two
    $5.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siem Reap

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

  • A Spectacular Show with Optional Dinner: $18
  • Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer: $19
  • Apsara Performance with Dinner include Pick up & Drop off: $22
  • Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $22
  • Buffet Dinner Apsara Show with hotel transfers: $22
  • Apsara Dance Show and Dinner with Hotel Pickup: $22
  • Apsara Show Including Dinner & Hotel Pickup: $23
  • Dinner and Traditional Show with Hotel Transfer: $24
  • Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner & Tuk-Tuk...: $26
  • A Night To Remember: Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner: $27
  • Dinner Show Apsara Dance, Pickup round trip included: $27
  • Apsara Theatre Performance include Dinner & hotel pick up: $29

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:

  • 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.
    Siem Reap $30
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Siem Reap

Here are a few typical costs in Siem Reap for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Angkor Tour Guide
    $8.24

Tours and Activities in Siem Reap

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

  • 03 Hours Countryside tours: $88
  • 1 Day Private of Angkor Wat Tour with Tuk Tuk: $15
  • 1-Day Angkor Wat Private Tour with Spanish Tour Guide.: $125
  • 1-Day private Angkor Temple Tour from Siem Reap: $27
  • 2 Day Angkor Wat Private Tour: $245
  • 2 Day Cambodia Private Guided Tour in Angkor Temples: $119
  • 2-Day Angkor Tour with Sunrise, Sunset & Banteay Srei temple: $160
  • 2-Day Angkor Wat With Small, Big Circuit & Banteay Srei Tour: $123
  • 2-Days Angkor & Banteay Srei & Kulen Mountian Waterfall Tour: $126
  • 2-Days Angkor Sunrise & Banteay Srei Tour: $105
  • 2-Days Angkor Wat with Sunrise and Sunset-Siem Reap Tour: $46
  • 3 Day Siem Reap Tour Phnom Penh Shooting Experience Video: $128

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
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Experience of Salsa in Panama: $25
  • Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
  • City Tour guiado en Panamá con Canal y Casco Antiguo: $35
  • Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
  • Panama Viejo UNESCO Ruins Tour | The Original Panama City: $35
  • Panama City : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Siem Reap $11
    Panama City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Siem Reap

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Siem Reap:

  • Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl: $12


When comparing the travel costs between Siem Reap and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Siem Reap is in Asia and Panama City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Siem Reap or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Siem Reap 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.