Is Panama City Expensive?

Is Panama City expensive to visit?

Panama City is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $87. If we compare it to the rest of Central America, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Central America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Bocas del Toro and Belize City.



Panama City, Panama

How expensive is Panama City?

For a trip to Panama City, travelers spend on average $87 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Panama City here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Panama City?

On average, a weekend trip to Panama City costs about $260 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $519.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Panama City?

A one week trip to Panama City costs about $606 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,211.

Is it expensive to backpack in Panama City?

With more than 20 hostels around town, Panama City is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $14 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $10 and the most expensive rooms costing about $27. (See hostel prices in Panama City here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Panama City.

  • $10 for a dorm bed at Hostal Casa Areka
  • $14 for a dorm bed at El Machico Hostel
  • $15 for a dorm bed at Magnolia Inn Casco Viejo

Are hotels expensive in Panama City?

Examining hotel prices in Panama City, we can see that they are very affordable when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $66. The city is equipped with about 6 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $158. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $54 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $24 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Panama City
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 6 $158
4 stars 27 $96
3 stars 33 $54
2 stars 16 $24
1 star 1 $22
No rating 1 $10

Via Israel y Calle 71 San Francisco, Panama City
Overall Rating 9.1
Albrook Mall, Final de la Avenida de la Amistad, Panama City
Overall Rating 8.9

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Panama City?

In Panama City, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $66 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $28.

    • The City Safari - A Classic Car Tour of Panama City: $150
    • VIP Experience Agency: $40
    • 6-Hour Culture and Nature Tour in Embera Tribe: $125
    • Caribbean Beach Club Day Tour: $79
    • Stopover Tour in Panama: City and Canal: $80
    • Guided Colonian Heritage Walking Tour in Panama: $40
    • City Tour of Panama City, Panama including the Panama Canal: $135
    • Full Day Private Bird and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Pipe Line : $120

    Is food expensive in Panama City?

    In Panama City, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $21 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $23.

    • The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour: $200
    • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $85
    • 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class : $85
    • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
    • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60

    Is transportation expensive in Panama City?

    Local transportation in Panama City can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $11 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $11. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Panama City

    If you're planning a trip to Panama City, Panama, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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