Travel budget in Panama

Panama: calculate your travel budget

Panama: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Panama for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 66 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 2.3 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1394* (1400 PAB)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 128 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 31 per person
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 7.6 per person

Total budget:

$ 3236* (3234 PAB)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 152 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 52 per person
  • $ 36 per person
  • $ 16 per person

Total budget:

$ 4993* (4984 PAB)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Panama in 2025

Cost of living: Panama VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Panama in 2025 is 26% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-39%-39%-43%-43%-24%-24%-31%-31%+4%+4%-20%-20%Price variation between Panama and United States in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-50-40-30-20-10010



Local prices in Panama by expense type

Panama: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Panama costs 39% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Panama compared to United States2222424213136.66.6111132328.88.82.22.2United StatesPanamaLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840424446
Lunch
Lunch
$ 11/person
($ 4.9 to $ 23)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 32/person
($ 20 to $ 49)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 8.8/person
($ 7.6 to $ 10.5)

27% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.2 for 500ml
($ 1.1 to $ 4.3)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.1 for 330ml
($ 1.1 to $ 4.3)

44% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 3.9/cup
($ 2.1 to $ 5.5)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1.8/can
($ 1.1 to $ 3.3)

35% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.4/bottle
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)

37% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Panama: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Panama costs 43% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Panama compared to United States1681682482483493491791792562561241241321321721728989113113United StatesPanama2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 86/night
($ 49 to $ 191)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 124/night
($ 38 to $ 395)

26% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 132/night
($ 49 to $ 352)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 172/night
($ 78 to $ 402)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 192/night
($ 121 to $ 333)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 89/month
($ 43 to $ 195)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 157/month
($ 51 to $ 465)

41% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 163/month
($ 52 to $ 489)

28% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 113/month
($ 65 to $ 214)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256
Family room
Family room
$ 192/month
($ 58 to $ 604)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Panama: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Panama costs 24% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Panama compared to United States4.14.114145.45.43.23.22.82.8883.33.32.32.3United StatesPanamaEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 2.2)

67% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.2
Bread
Bread
$ 2.6/500g
($ 1.8 to $ 3.3)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.8)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.8/12 eggs
($ 1.3 to $ 3.9)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 8/kg
($ 3.9 to $ 13)

39% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 4/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 7.2)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 3.3/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.3)

39% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 3.3)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.6
($ 1.1 to $ 2.2)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Panama: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Panama costs 31% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Panama compared to United States2.72.71.91.91182820.60.62.22.21.11.14242United StatesPanamaBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.6/ticket
($ 0.4 to $ 1.9)

79% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 2.2/km
($ 1.6 to $ 5.5)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.3)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2.2
($ 1.6 to $ 3.3)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 42/24hrs
($ 19 to $ 207)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 82

Panama: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Panama is 4% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 7.6/ticket
($ 5.5 to $ 17)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 37/hr
($ 23 to $ 56)

57% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Panama: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Panama costs 20% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 6/pack
($ 5.5 to $ 8.2)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 56
($ 29 to $ 78)

4% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 42
($ 11 to $ 66)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Montreal → Panama City
Montreal → Panama City
Montreal → Panama City
$ 741
(fair price: $ 632)
Toronto → Panama City
Toronto → Panama City
Toronto → Panama City
$ 810
(fair price: $ 657)
New York City → Panama City
New York City → Panama City
New York City → Panama City
$ 673
(fair price: $ 557)
London → Panama City
London → Panama City
London → Panama City
$ 906
(fair price: $ 844)
Los Angeles → Panama City
Los Angeles  → Panama City
Los Angeles  → Panama City
$ 772
(fair price: $ 591)
Atlanta → Panama City
Atlanta → Panama City
Atlanta → Panama City
$ 650
(fair price: $ 500)

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About the information on the cost of living in Panama

The information about the cost of living in Panama shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Panama updated on 11-11-2024.

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