In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Panama - any experiences?
I stayed in Panama City for two weeks and my daily spend averaged $50. Street meals were $4, nicer dinners $15, and Ubers $5. Tips were always 10%. My cheapest days were $35, just eating local and taking buses, while canal tours and island trips shot costs up. For planning, $45-55 daily is safe for meals, transport, and tips. Panama can be cheap day-to-day but activities raise the budget.
Meals: $4-6 fondas, $12-15 restaurants. Transport: $0.35 buses, $4-6 taxis. Tips: 10%. Safe daily budget: $45-50 for meals, transport, and tips. Add $20+ for tours or day trips. Panama City is slightly more expensive than smaller towns, but you can balance with local eateries. For a month, $1,400-1,500 is realistic.
I averaged $55 daily in Panama. Restaurant meals were $10-12, cafés $5, and Uber rides $4-6. Tips were 10%. At this budget, I could eat out daily, use Ubers instead of buses, and enjoy extras like a canal museum or Casco Viejo rooftop drinks. On excursion days (islands or hiking), the budget doubled, but for normal daily life, $55-60 is comfortable. Panama feels pricier than Nicaragua but cheaper than Costa Rica.
Panama is affordable if you stick to local options. Street food and small fondas offer meals for $3-5, while restaurant dinners cost $10-15. Buses in Panama City are $0.35 with a Metro card, and taxis or Ubers are $3-6. Tips are 10%. A budget traveller can manage on $30-35 daily. Island trips like San Blas are extra ($70+ per day), but normal city costs are very manageable. For a month, Panama is one of the more affordable Central American countries.