Costs of travelling to Panama

How much does a trip to Panama cost?

How much does a trip to Panama really cost? This is exactly what many people ask themselves before planning their route through this diverse country between the Caribbean and the Pacific. Panama is not as expensive as Costa Rica, but also not as cheap as Nicaragua – it lies somewhere in between in terms of price. In this article, you will get a detailed overview of all travel costs: flights, accommodation, food, transport, activities and other expenses. I will also show you sample budgets for different types of travellers and give you tips on how to save money on your trip to Panama.

Airfare

The biggest fixed costs of a trip to Panama are usually the flights.

• Return flight Europe – Panama City: approx. €700 – €1,100 (economy class, depending on season).
• In the off-season (May–June, September–November), you can find bargains starting at €500–600.
• Direct flights are rare, usually with a change in Madrid, Amsterdam or the USA.

Tip: Book early (3–5 months in advance) or use flexible dates to reduce flight costs.

accommodation

Panama offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget:

• Hostels: €10–20 per night (dormitory)

• Mid-range hotels: €40–80 per night

• Luxury resorts: from £130 per night

Popular places such as Panama City, Boquete or Bocas del Toro can be a little more expensive.

You can usually find a good deal on relevant portals such as Airbnb or booking.com.

Food and drink

Panama has a diverse cuisine, and food is often quite inexpensive.

• Street food: €2–5 (e.g. empanadas or rice with chicken)

• Restaurants (mid-range): €8–15 per dish

• Exclusive restaurants: from €25 per dish

A coffee costs around €1–3, a beer €2–4.

The popular buffet restaurants are definitely recommended for good, inexpensive food. Here, you can choose whatever you like and then pay for your selection.

Transport

• Public buses: Very cheap, approx. £4–10 for longer distances. However, they are not particularly comfortable.

• Domestic flights: €50–100 (e.g. to Bocas del Toro).

• Car hire: €30–50 per day (plus petrol costs of approx. €1/litre). Bear in mind that some of the roads can be in very poor condition.

• Taxis & Uber: Short distances from £3, longer journeys approx. £20–40.

Activities and tours

Die Kosten für Aktivitäten hängen stark von deinem Reiseplan ab.

• Panama Canal visit: €10–20

• Coiba National Park (snorkelling/diving): from €65

• Hiking in Boquete: guided tours approx. £18–£36

• Island hopping (Bocas del Toro): €15–30 per day

Money-saving tips

1. Consider the time of year: Flights and accommodation are cheaper in the off-season (May–November).

2. Use public transport: Buses are cheap and well developed.

3. Try local food: It’s delicious and saves money.

4. Compare accommodation: Airbnb and hostels often offer great deals.

5. Affordable internet via eSIM: My recommendation is Airalo (you support me by clicking)

My costs in 2024 for 10 days in Panama

We travelled to Panama City by plane and departed by land to Costa Rica. This means that the flight price is significantly lower than if you were to fly to and from Europe.

Getting around Panama City with Uber and across the country by bus or a small tourist shuttle.

All of our accommodations had their own bathrooms and were booked through Booking or Airbnb. We usually ate at simple restaurants.

One of the highlights of the activities is definitely the snorkelling trip to Isla Coiba.

I spent a total of 10 days travelling around Panama. You can find my itinerary here.

Flights	Accommodation	Catering	Transport	activities	Other
450€	160€	142€	42€	166€	13€

The 10-day trip cost a total of €973. It is noticeable that a large part of the expenditure was spent on activities, as these are comparatively expensive in Panama. Flight costs also have a relatively high impact on the price of a shorter 10-day trip. It is best to plan a longer stay so that the otherwise low costs for accommodation and meals are even more noticeable.

Conclusion: Cost of travelling to Panama

Panama is a diverse and affordable destination that has something to offer for every budget. With good planning, you can enjoy unforgettable adventures without breaking the bank. It’s also a great place to continue your journey to Colombia or Costa Rica.