Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Zadar?
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 Zadar or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Zadar or Panama City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Zadar or Panama City?
Zadar
You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.
The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.
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 Tours for Seniors to Croatia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Zadar Prices
Croatia PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZadar €110Panama City €86
The average daily cost (per person) in Zadar is €110, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €86. 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 Zadar and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZadar €51Panama City €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZadar €102Panama City €60
Compare Hotels in Zadar and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Zadar 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: Zadar Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zadar €9.53Panama City €9.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Novalja: $299
- Private one way transfer from Zadar to Split: $295
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Šibenik: $286
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Murter: $286
- Zadar Airport to Novalja Private Transfer: $262
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Split with 2 hours for sightseeing: $244
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Pag Island: $239
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport to Novalja: $239
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Zagreb with 2h of Sightseeing: $237
- Private Transfer from Starigrad Paklenica to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $199
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Starigrad Paklenica: $194
- Private Transfer from Zadar Cruise Port to Split Airport (SPU): $168
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Transfer to Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks): $14
- Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City: $15
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport (PTY): $16
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport : $19
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer Airport - City / Min 2 pax: $20
- Panama: Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport: $23
- Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Downtown Panama City, Panama: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Zadar or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Zadar 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 dayZadar €49Panama City €31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
- Morning Zadar Food Tour: $142
- Preko Cooking Class and Shellfishing Experience with a Local: $190
- Gourmet Sunset dinner on board: $239
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich€7.03
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zadar €19Panama City €56
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
- Panorama guided Zadar Eco Tuk Tuk tour: $65
- Private Sunset tour with Antares Sailing : $107
- Sunset boat Tour in Zadar: $24
- Zadar Boat Tour Half Day: $42
- Šibenik and Zadar private tour from Split or Trogir: $181
- 2 Hour Quad Buggy ATV Mountain Adventure in Starigrad: $116
- 3 Island Tour Swim and Snorkel with Drinks on Traditional Boat: $24
- 3 Islands Luxury Boat Tour with Aperol Spritz: $33
- A Self-Guided Tour of Zadar's Medieval Heart: $12
- Adrenaline Adventure on Speedboat with 3 stops and Snorkeling: $38
- Be a Local: Private Tour from Olive Harvest to Culinary Delight: $238
- Boat Tour around Zadar Islands with snorkeling during half day excursion: $34
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- The Hull Experience Colonial Tour: $14
- Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
- Experience of Salsa in Panama: $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 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Sunset Walking Tour at Casco Viejo El Chorrillo and the fish market: $30
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZadar €12Panama City €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brlog Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting : $30
- Guided Speedboat Tour with Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $42
- Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $78
- City Tour with Educational Beer Tour in Brlog Brewery: $94
- City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $107
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zadar and Panama City, we can see that Zadar is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zadar is in Europe 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 Panama City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Panama City 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 Zadar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zadar than you might in Panama City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zadar Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zadar or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Zadar 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.
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.