A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Foz do Iguacu and Panama City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Foz do Iguacu or Panama City?

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.

Panama City

Panama City is the cosmopolitan capital city of the country of Panama. With a population of almost 900,000 and almost 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it's a very diverse city with expat residents from all over the world. You don't have to search far to find someone who speaks English, and many Panamanians are quite helpful and friendly.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Foz do Iguacu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Foz do Iguacu Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Foz do Iguacu $79
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $79, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Foz do Iguacu and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Foz do Iguacu $28
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Foz do Iguacu $56
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Panama City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Foz do Iguacu


Hotels in Panama City


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $13
    Panama City $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:

  • Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
  • Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $154
  • Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $127
  • Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $120
  • Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
  • Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $70
  • Private airport transfers - Brazil - Argentina - Paraguay : $42
  • Foz do Iguaçu Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $39
  • Transfer Paraguay - Shopping : $29
  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $10
  • Transfer In - Airport Hotel: $8.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 2 Days 1 Night Tour in Panama : Hotel and Transfers: $278
  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to City by Luxury SUV: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Panama City by SUV: $75
  • Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY Airport: $84
  • One Way Private transfer Panama City PTY Airport to City: $19
  • Panamá Tocumen Airport Hotel or airbnb Transfer: $25
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $34
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $67
  • Guided Panama Canal & City Tour with Transfers: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Foz do Iguacu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $37
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.

  • Shared Group: Rafain Dinner and Latin American Show with Transfer: $99
  • Rafain dinner Samba Show: $105
  • Rafain Dinner Show : $106
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
  • Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $114
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • Sandwich
    $8.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City

For Panama City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
  • Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
  • Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
  • Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
  • Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
  • Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $23
    Panama City $66

Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu

Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Days PRIVATE Brasil & Argentina Experience Iguazu Falls: $160
  • 1 Day Iguaçu Falls Tour across Brazil and Argentina: $60
  • 1-Day Private tour on Both Brazillian & Argentinean Falls: $106
  • 2 Days- Private- Explore the Falls Tour-Both Brazil & Argentina : $173
  • 2-Day Private Tour Iguaçu Falls Brazil and Argentina: $221
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Iguassu Waterfalls Side BRA and ARG: $174
  • 2-day tour, both sides of Cataratas Brasil and Argentina.: $115
  • Afternoon Iguazu Falls Tour with Sunset & Drinks – Brazil Side: $161
  • Airport IGU Pick-Up & Shopping In Paraguay & Hotel Drop-Off - Private Tour: $100
  • Airport IGU Round Trip & 2 Days Sightseeing in Iguassu: $225
  • Argentine Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
  • Argentinian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $149

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Panama Casco Viejo: Walking Tour Must See Treasures!!!: $25
  • Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera: $26
  • Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $27
  • Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama: $29
  • Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
  • Causeway and Old Town Night Tour: $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • walking tour in Casco Antiguo !: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Guided Walking Tour in Panama City: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $11
    Panama City $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.84


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu is in South America and Panama City is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Foz do Iguacu.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Panama City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.