With this David travel cost guide, you can explore average prices and plan a trip that fits your budget. The David trip cost calculator uses travel expense data from thousands of previous visitors, including typical hotel costs, food and dining prices, entertainment and sightseeing expenses, and transportation information. David is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities, so don't make a budget mistake that causes you to miss out on something important.
How much does it cost to travel to David?
A typical traveler spends $39 (B/.39) per day on a trip to David. This is the average daily price for a vacation in David based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $17 (B/.17) on meals
- $12 (B/.12) on local transportation
- $25 (B/.25) on hotels
A one-week trip to David for two people costs, on average, $546 (B/.546). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from thousands of other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Is David expensive to visit?
In David, budget travelers spend $22 (B/.22) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $39 (B/.39) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $67 (B/.67) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to David.
David is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
While David can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Central America, David is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Central America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as David.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is David Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to David?
The average David trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these David travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to David cost?
David on a Budget
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Category
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Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$9
(B/.9.38)
|
$12
(B/.12)
|
$18
(B/.18)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$5
(B/.4.84)
|
$12
(B/.12)
|
$29
(B/.29)
|
|
Food2
|
$8
(B/.7.84)
|
$17
(B/.17)
|
$30
(B/.30)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$4
(B/.4.38)
|
$4
(B/.4.38)
|
$4
(B/.4.38)
|
Accommodation Budget in David
David has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $64 in the off-season and averages $119 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $44 to $174. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in David for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $25 (B/.25). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $12 (B/.12) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in David? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in David include:
- Hotel Ciudad De David starting at $89
- Hampton by Hilton David starting at $85
Choosing to travel in the shoulder or low season and avoiding will help you save on lodging costs and escape the tourist rush.
Transportation Budget in David
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $12 (B/.12) per person, per day, on local transportation in David. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in David is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$12
B/.12
It's possible to fly to David from either Panama City or San Jose, Costa Rica. The bus ride from Panama City is about 7 hours and the buses usually stop in the city of Santiago on the way. It's also possible to travel to David from the Paso Canoas border with Costa Rica, as well as Boquete, and Almirante. If you're looking for a more comfortable transportation option and you have some money to spend, you can check out the Costa Rica Executive Transportation, which will offer luxury transportation between David and Costa Rica. They also provide airport transportation.
Once you're in the city, you can travel around David by bus. It's easy to pick up a bus at the terminal, as every bus route passes through there. You can catch a bus by waiting on the side of the road almost anywhere. Simply wave down the bus with the destination written on its window. If you're driving in David, make sure you proceed with caution and remain a defensive driver as traffic can be a bit crazy.
How much does it cost to go to David? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in David will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in David
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in David can vary significantly, the average cost of food in David is $17 (B/.17) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$17
B/.17
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in David is around $17 (B/.17) per person, with previous travelers spending from $8 to $30. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in David are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $5
- Lunch: $3 to $7
- Dinner: $5 to $12
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $3
There are a variety of different dining options in David. If you're looking for cheap food, head to a Chobeca's Burgers, which is basically Panama's version of McDonalds. They don't offer burgers, however, but instead you'll find Panamanian food that's worth sampling at least once. There's a Chinese restaurant in town as well so if you're looking for something different head to Restaurante Chiriqui. You'll find plenty of other options around town as well so explore and try something new with each meal.
Numerous hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, although others may charge you extra for it. The price and quality can vary from hotel to hotel. Being informed ahead of time can assist you in determining if you need to budget extra funds. The hotel buffet might be worth your money, or perhaps a cheaper option at a nearby bakery or cafe would suffice.
Take a water bottle with you to save on drinks. It's also an environmentally friendly option.
Be sure to check which meals are part of your tour before you go. You might be responsible for some of your own food costs, which could stretch your budget further.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in David
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in David typically cost an average of $4.38 (B/.4.38) 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.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$4.38
B/.4.38
One enjoyable day trip from David is to visit the Los Pozos de Caldera hot springs. These hot springs can be reached by taking a Caldera bound bus from the David bus terminal. Just tell the driver you'd like to go to the hot springs and you'll be let off about an hour later. From there, its about a 2.5 kilometer walk on a paved road to the entrance.
David has no shortage of activities for travelers. There are plenty of nightclubs, bars, and a couple of casinos if that's your style. If you're in the city in the early part of the year there are likely to be some festivities around town related to Carnavales. If you're more the outdoor, adventure sport type, then there are many places to explore within only an hour's drive of David.
Travel cost data last updated: May 23, 2026
Traveling in David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
Chiriqui province continues to grow as a tourist destination, and David has expanded its tourist facilities to meet the growing demand. There are a range of hotels in the city including a couple of backpacker hostels.
The temperature in David stays relatively consistent throughout the year. Average highs in January and February are in the mid to high 90s Fahrenheit. Average highs in September, October, and November are in the high 80s Fahrenheit. The rainy season is from mid April through mid December and the dry season is from mid December through early April.
Neighborhoods & Around
Central David is laid out as a grid. The streets are numbered and easy to navigate. Most residential areas are in the outer parts of the city and are made up of detached single family homes. The population density of the city is relatively low. In the center of town, buildings are usually between two and five stories high.
The northern parts of the city are where the wealthiest neighborhoods are found. These areas also have commericial zones with many stores and restaurants.
The Chiriqui province continues to grow as a tourist destination and David is growing to meet these demands. The city's hotels are concentrated in the city center near the banking and business district. The city also has a couple of hostels where backpackers frequent.
In the middle of the city is Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra Park. This area is a pleasant place to relax with a lot of shade as well as ice cream and handicraft vendors.
Related:
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Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit David on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $22 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Fortunately, you can find plenty of hostels in David, including Mike Adventures Guest House, Zumo Urban Hostel David, and Penny House Hostal. These hostels offer inexpensive dorm lodging and a lively social scene, but amenities are often minimal.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Visitors to David typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $39 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $67 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget.
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.
