A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nha Trang or Panama City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Panama City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Nha Trang or Panama City?

Nha Trang

For the relaxation of a small beach town, plus the energy of a young city, consider Nha Trang, Vietnam. As the most famous seaside town in Vietnam, Nha Trang is certainly livelier than many other beach resort towns. Visiting this part of Vietnam is not for the faint of heart. These people know the meaning of nightlife - and make the night last as long as they can.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, 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 Nha Trang?

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

  • Nha Trang Prices
    Vietnam Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nha Trang $48
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Nha Trang is $48, 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 Nha Trang and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nha Trang $13
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nha Trang $26
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Nha Trang and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang


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: Nha Trang Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nha Trang $13
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nha Trang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nha Trang:


  • Local Bus Ticket
    $0.11
  • Taxi From Airport
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nha Trang

Also for Nha Trang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Nha Trang to Hoi An - Private Transfer: $300
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center to Tuy Hoa City Center: $127
  • Private Transfer Oneway to Dalat From Nha Trang: $120
  • Private Transfer from Nha Trang to Lien Khuong (DLI) Airport: $116
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center to Da Lat City Center: $114
  • Private transfer from Nha Trang to Mui Ne by car 7 seater: $99
  • Private One-way Transfer To Mui Ne From Nha Trang: $90
  • Nha Trang to Da Lat - Private Transfer: $84
  • Private Transfer from Doc Let to Cam Ranh (CXR) Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from Nha Trang city to Nha Trang Cruise Port: $69
  • Doc Let Beach & Resort to Nha Trang/Cam Ranh Airport - Private Transfer: $65
  • Nha Trang to Yangbay waterfall tour with Private transfers : $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Transfer to BIKINI BEACH (for ages 18+) or Santa Clara: $300
  • Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $213
  • Private Transfer from Panama City Hotels to Colón Cruise Port: $158
  • Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
  • Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
  • Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $149
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer Panama Airport (PTY) - Playa Blanca : $142
  • Private Transfer Hotel or Airport to Resorts in Playa Blanca. One way: $125
  • Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY Airport: $84

Is it cheaper to fly into Nha Trang or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Nha Trang 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
    Nha Trang $25
    Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Nha Trang

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Nha Trang:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nha Trang

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

  • Nha Trang Private Authentic Sunset River Cruise for a nice dinner: $78
  • Nha Trang Special Sunset River Cruise for sightseeing and nice dinner: $82
  • Nha Trang Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
  • Nha Trang Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
  • Private Half-Day Cooking Class in Nha Trang with Pick Up: $97
  • Nha Trang Sunset and Dinner on Cruise: $180
  • Nha Trang Romantic dinner in a rice paddy field night tour: $231

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:

  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Street Food Tour in Panama City with 24 samples and secret drinks: $69
  • 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
  • Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
  • 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.
    Nha Trang $9.03
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nha Trang

For Nha Trang, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Po Ngar Cham Entrance (for Two)
    $1.21
  • Two Rental Lounge Chairs on Beach
    $2.65
  • Vinpearl Land Amusement Park
    $17
  • Fairy Spring Waterfall Entrance
    $0.38
  • Thap Ba Mud Bath
    $3.79
  • Cyclo Tour of City (One Day)
    $9.48

Tours and Activities in Nha Trang

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nha Trang.

  • Day Cruise Exploring Nha Trang Bay|Nha Trang: $98
  • I-Resort Hot Springs and Spa Packages Ticket Nha Trang: $14
  • NHATRANG Adventure & Country Tour by Vintage JEEP/Modern SUV: $75
  • Nha Trang 3 Island Private Tour: $47
  • Nha Trang Beach Tour by Bus and Water: $93
  • 2 Day Car Tour Excursion Dalat and Mui Ne (Minimum 4 guest): $170
  • 2 Day Motorbike Adventure from Nha Trang to Da Lat: $159
  • 2 Days Daklak Highland Tour From Nha Trang Included Hotel And Meals: $295
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tour to Mui Ne from Nha Trang Included Lunch: $195
  • 3 Hour Pedicab City Tour Nha Trang: $75
  • 3 Islands Tour of Nha Trang: $55
  • 3-Day Motorbike Adventure from Nha Trang to Da Lat - Easy Rider: $241

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • Canopy-ziplining Adventures in Anton Valley: $195
  • Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
  • Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
  • Private tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal.: $70
  • San Blas Islands, 4-Island Tour All-Inclusive Welcome Cocktail: $149
  • Tour of the Historic Center of Panama and the Canal: $52
  • “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
  • “Panama at Your Rhythm: Private Tour with Canal, Old Town and More”: $67
  • 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
  • 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
  • 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
  • 2 Hours Tour to Panama La Vieja for Groups: $170

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nha Trang $18
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nha Trang is in Asia 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 Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

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


Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang 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.