How much does it cost to travel to Panama?
You should plan to spend around $79 (B/.78) per day on your vacation in Panama. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $23 (B/.23) on meals
- $11 (B/.11) on local transportation
- $70 (B/.69) on hotels
A one week trip to Panama for two people costs, on average, $1,104 (B/.1,099). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Panama expensive to visit?
Panama is a reasonably affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 25% of countries in the world for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Central America, Panama is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Honduras or Belize.
For more details, see Is Panama Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Panama?
The average Panama trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Panama travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
B/.69
($70)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
B/.11
($11)
|
|
Food 2
|
B/.23
($23)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
B/.28
($29)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
B/.3 -
8
($3 - 8)
|
|
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1
|
B/.30 -
89
($30 - 90)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
B/.7 -
21
($7 - 21)
|
Accommodation Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Panama is $35 (B/.35). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Panama is $70 (B/.69). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Panama? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Panama is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $11 (B/.11) per person, per day, on local transportation in Panama.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$11
B/.11
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Panama are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Panama, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Food Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Panama can vary, the average cost of food in Panama is $23 (B/.23) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Panama should cost around $9.05 (B/.9.01) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Panama is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$23
B/.23
Typical prices for Food in Panama are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Panama, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Sandwich
B/.8.25
-
Breakfast
B/.14
-
Lunch
B/.15
Entertainment Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Panama typically cost an average of $29 (B/.28) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$29
B/.28
Typical prices for Entertainment in Panama are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Panama, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Panama is $60 (B/.59), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$60
B/.59
Alcohol Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $14 (B/.14) on alcoholic beverages in Panama per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$14
B/.14
Water Budget in Panama
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $3.28 (B/.3.27) on bottled water in Panama per day. The public water in Panama is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$3.28
B/.3.27
Panama On a Budget
Panama City, Panama
Panama is a wonderful country that is easy to navigate and makes for a great introduction to Central America. When people think of this country, they most often think of Panama City, but there is so much more to this country. In addition to its cosmopolitan and cultural capital city, this area has wonderful rainforests and national parks. It also has beautiful beaches, world renowned scuba diving, and countless trekking opportunities. The country is quite diverse, but offers an excellent internal transportation system in the form of intercity buses, frequent flights, and a large number of privatized tourist transportation companies. Whatever your budget and travel style, you'll likely be surprised at how easy it is to travel around this beautiful country. Because of its ease of transportation, many expats have chosen to make their home in Panama, and you can see the international influence throughout the country.
The weather is pleasant in Panama year around and the temperatures generally stay consistent with highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and evening temperatures in the seventies. There is a rainy season that runs from May to November, and a dry season that runs between December and April. Even in the rainy season, do not expect it to rain all day. Most of the day is still pleasant and enjoyable.
English is prevalent throughout the country, and the currency is locked to the US dollar, making it a convenient place to experience this part of the world. Prices here may be slightly higher than some other Central American countries, but you can still find some good deals. There are some tricks to staying on budget in this country. In particular, spend a few days in Panama City and then move on. Other destinations are just as interesting at a fraction of the cost. Also avoid taxis if at all possible, as the prices are unreasonably high and the drivers typically refuse to negotiate. If you're on a particularly tight budget, look for hotels and hostels that don't have hot water, then ask for a discount. The weather is so hot most of the year, you're unlikely to miss the hot water anyway.
At A Glance
- Panama is probably one of the easiest countries in Central America to travel around. For this reason many people pick it as their first destination in the region. It has a cosmopolitan feel in its cities and an exotic feel in its jungles. It also has a large expat community because of its low cost of living and the ease at which you can get around. With English being a common language, it is easy to communicate and navigate through this country.
- It's very easy to cross from Costa Rica into Panama. There are great roads and public transportation is readily available. Generally the border crossing are smooth and efficient with few delays. If you have your own private vehicle it is also possible to take it across the border. It is very difficult to cross from Panama into Columbia because of the presence of the Darien Gap. There are no roads in this area and public transportation does not connect the two countries.
- Panama has used the U.S. Dollar as its currency since 1904, although it is referred to as the Balboa. There is some difference in the coin currency, but the value and size remains the same. You can even use Panama coins in the US in parking meters, payphones or vending machines.
- There is no shortage of outdoor adventure sports activities in this country. You can participate in anything from whitewater rafting to kayaking or zip lining. There is also some excellent scuba diving, snorkeling and hiking.
- Public transportation here is superb and you are unlikely to need any form of private transportation to get around. The buses are usually of a high quality and the prices for intercity trips are quite low. The roads are generally paved and in good condition as well.
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Top Tourist Attractions
Coiba National Marine Park: This is a great place to see rare land and sea animals and is sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of Central America. Located about thirty miles off the coast of Panama in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Coiba National Marine Park has many islands, the largest of which is called Coiba.
Islas Secas: This is a series of islands located in the Chiriqui Gulf that is famous and world class for its sport fishing. The islands are privately owned by an American and you will find a nice eco-resort that you can visit.
Volcan Baru National Park: Here you will find Panama's tallest peak, standing high at over 11,000 feet. This park offers wonderful opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting. It's near the town of Boquete and at the top you can see both oceans on a clear day. You'll also see crops of the famous geisha coffee growing along the edge of the volcano.
Popular Foods
Food in Panama is heavily influenced by the Afro-Caribbean, French and Spanish cultures. In the city you can find almost any type of food, but once you're in the countryside you'll find predominantly seafood and beef options. Plantains are common in many dishes, and rice and beans are common staples.
Patacones: A traditional dish of fried green plantains, patacones are included as a side dish with most meals. They are comparable to potato chips or fries, but are typically served with a garlic dipping sauce. This side dish reflects the Caribbean influence on cuisine in the area.
Chichas: This is a delicious fruit, water, and sugar drink that is often made with mangoes, tamarindo, papaya, or passionfruit. The drinks can be either alcoholic or nonalcoholic.
Empanadas: A quick snack dish, empanadas are a pastry that is filled with either meat, cheese, and sometimes vegetables. They can be quite large and are made with dough folded into a semicircle. They are a wonderful, affordable lunch option that are available at a lot of street stalls and many different restaurants.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.