Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nassau or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Panama City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or Panama City?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
Panama City
As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Nassau Prices
Bahamas PricesPanama City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNassau $226Panama City $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $226, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $272. 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 Nassau and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $108Panama City $128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $216Panama City $256
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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.
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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32Panama City $48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$7.99
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Airport Transfer Paradise Island: $118
- Airport Transfers : $58
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $110
- Cruise Port Transfer with Optional Vehicle: $135
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Nassau City Escape Transfer (One Way): $50
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Nassau 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
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Food Meals for one dayNassau $91Panama City $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Saturday Bahamian Cooking Class in Downtown Nassau: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37Panama City $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- All New Tour with Seafood Snack Português & Español : $7.00
- Historical & Cultural Walking Tour: $10
- Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $25
- Group City Tour and Beach Experience from Cruise Port: $40
- Private Sightseeing in Fort Montagu with Crab and Seafood meal: $45
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $45
- Nassau City Tour: $46
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $50
- Electric Bus Tour with Food & Drink Samples: $50
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
- Taste Tour and Capture Nassau Island Experience with Photos: $55
- Cultural Walking Tour of Downtown Nassau Attractions: $55
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Here are a few actual costs in Panama City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sunset Dolphin Cruise in St. Andrews Bay: $29
- Panama City Beach Dolphin Sightseeing Sail: $35
- Panama City Beach: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Combo Ticket: $37
- Panama City Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Trip by Catamaran: $38
- Sunset Cruise with Good Jibez Only in Panama City Beach: $40
- Shell Island Dolphin Sightseeing Boat Tour in Panama City Beach: $40
- Dolphin Sightseeing Tour on The Footloose Catamaran from Panama City Beach: $40
- Panama City Beach: 90 Minute Sunset Tiki Boat Tour: $44
- 90 Minute Sunset Tiki Boat Tour: $45
- Panama City Beach: Shell Island Catamaran Snorkeling Tour: $49
- Footloose Catamaran Snorkel and Dolphin Watch Tour: $50
- Original CRUISIN TIKIS 90 min Cruise - Grand Lagoon : $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19Panama City $56
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Nassau much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Panama City is in North 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 Nassau would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nassau 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 Nassau.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or Panama City?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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.
When is the best time to visit Nassau or Panama City?
Panama City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nassau or Panama City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and Panama City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.
In the summer, Nassau is around the same temperature as Panama City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nassau in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Panama City averages at about 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Panama City during summer. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Panama City receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.
Panama City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nassau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nassau usually receives less rain than Panama City. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)Panama City 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Panama City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nassau as well as Panama City. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Nassau is generally a little warmer than Panama City. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 26°C (79°F), and Panama City fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In the autumn, Nassau often gets less sunshine than Panama City. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Panama City receives 256 hours of full sun.
Nassau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nassau usually gets more rain in October than Panama City. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)Panama City 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Panama City in the Winter?
Both Panama City and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Panama City in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Nassau is much warmer than Panama City in the winter. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Panama City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Panama City during winter. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Panama City receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Nassau usually receives less rain than Panama City. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)Panama City 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Panama City in the Spring?
Both Panama City and Nassau during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Nassau is a little warmer than Panama City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nassau in April average around 23°C (74°F), and Panama City averages at about 68°F (20°C).
In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the spring, Nassau often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Panama City. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Panama City receives 295 hours of full sun.
Nassau usually gets less rain in April than Panama City. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Panama City receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)Panama City 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Panama City and Nassau
| Nassau | Panama City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.3 inches (184 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.5 inches (192 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.