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

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Panama City?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta or Panama City?

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.

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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Yogyakarta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $58, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $86. 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 Yogyakarta and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $37
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $74
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta


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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.34
    Panama City $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

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

  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Wanurejo: $169
  • Private Transfer from Kembanglimus to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $169
  • Private Transfer from Wanurejo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $169
  • Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
  • Layover Tour w/ Entry Tickets & Airport Transfer: $94
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Donoharjo: $93
  • Private Transfer from Sinduadi to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $93
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Condong Catur: $93
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Sendangadi: $93
  • Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $93
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Trihanggo: $93
  • Private Transfer from Trihanggo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $93

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: $33
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY)- Panama City: $15
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Panama City - Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): $15
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Panamá Tocumen Airport to Playa Bonita: $48
  • Transfer in private minivan from Panama Tocumen Airport to Playa Bonita: $70
  • Transfer in private minivan from Panama Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca-Farallon: $160
  • Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
  • Transfer from PTY Airport or Panama City to Playa Blanca and Back: $77
  • Transfer from PTY Airport or Panama City to Cruise Terminal: $30
  • Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
  • Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City Hotels.: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Yogyakarta 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
    Yogyakarta $12
    Panama City $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Morning Food Tour with Tasting: $23
  • Yogyakarta : Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $32
  • Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $34
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Night Walking and Food Tour: $37
  • Ramayana Ballet Performance with Dinner: $39
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $40
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $40
  • Javanese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $57
  • Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $58
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class: $71
  • Nusantara Cooking Course and Lokal Market Tour: $81

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 Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • Night Out Experience (360 Panoramic Views + Dinner Show): $80
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
  • The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yogyakarta $16
    Panama City $66

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Tour Borobudur Sunrise – Merapi Volcano – Prambanan (Transport Only): $80
  • Sunrise : Punthuk Setumbu, Borobudur And Prambanan Temples Tour (PRIVATE TOUR): $121
  • Yogyakarta Jomblang Cave Day Tour (PRIVATE TOUR): $88
  • 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing: $72
  • 1 day tour Borobudur and Prambanan Temples : $69
  • 1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple: $72
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Borobudur and City Tour - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $188
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta City Tour Prangtritis Beach - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $139
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Javanese Culture - PRIVATE TOUR with GUIDE: $198
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Borobudur - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $183
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Pengger Heha - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $139
  • 1-Day Yogyakarta Prambanan and City Tour - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $188

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • #1 Walking Tour in Casco Viejo, Panama Canal Museum & Lunch : $77
  • "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour " : $100
  • 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
  • 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
  • 2 Hours Tour to Panama La Vieja for Groups: $170
  • 2 Hr Express Tour for Business Travellers & Airport Layovers: $75
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City: $270
  • 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
  • 3 Hours Private Photo Tour in Casco Antiguo: $90
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in Panama La Vieja: $45
  • 4-Hour Gatun Lake Boat Tour and Jungle Wildlife: $99
  • 5-Hour Tour to Miraflores Locks and Sloth Sanctuary: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yogyakarta $4.98
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yogyakarta is in Asia 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 Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta.

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


Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Panama City?

Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.