Panama on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Panama works on a budget, especially in Bocas del Toro and Boquete: allow about US$65 per person per day, with about US$20 for a shared bed, US$20 for food, US$15 for sights and US$10 for transport. San Blas and domestic flights are the main extras.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$20 | US$55 | US$140 |
| Food & drink | US$20 | US$40 | US$80 |
| Sights & tickets | US$15 | US$35 | US$70 |
| Local transport | US$10 | US$25 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$65 | US$155 | US$340 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Panama day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk Casco Viejo from Plaza de la Independencia to the sea wall of Plaza de Francia.
- Walk or cycle the Amador Causeway with views of ships waiting for the canal.
- Walk the Cinta Costera waterfront promenade.
- Hike the Pipeline Trail in Boquete's cloud forest (check for any small entry fee).
- Swim at Playa Bluff on Isla Colón (strong surf; check conditions).
- Watch starfish in the shallows at Playa Estrella (do not lift them).
Cheap eats
- Cup of ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos: US$3-5.
- Fried whole fish with patacones at the fish market: US$10-15.
- Fonda set lunch (rice, beans, meat and salad): about US$4-7.
- Empanadas and hojaldras from a street stall: about US$1-2.
- Grilled fish with coconut rice in Bocas Town: about US$12-18.
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and guesthouses in El Cangrejo (Panama City), Bocas Town and Boquete, at about US$25-60 for a double, with dorm beds less.
Getting around cheaply
In Panama City, use the Metro (with a rechargeable card) and Uber. From Tocumen airport, the Metro Line 2 and buses are the cheapest options; a taxi to Casco Viejo costs roughly US$30-35. Long-distance buses from the Albrook terminal reach David in about 7 hours, and shuttle vans link Boquete and Bocas.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Casco Viejo walking tour on your own (free).
- Lunch: fonda set lunch (about US$6).
- Afternoon: Miraflores Locks (about US$20) by Uber or bus.
- Evening: ceviche and fried fish at the Mercado de Mariscos (about US$12) and the Cinta Costera, with a hostel bed.
- Total: about US$65
More ways to save
- Check the Panama Canal Authority transit schedule so you arrive at Miraflores when ships are passing.
- Choose a simple San Blas package with transport, meals and a basic cabin, and compare several operators.
- Travel in the rainy season for lower prices; rain usually falls in the afternoon.
- Cook in hostel kitchens in Bocas, where restaurant prices are higher than on the mainland.
- Buy molas directly from the Guna women who sew them.
- Use public buses (about US$2-3) to reach Bocas beaches instead of taxis.
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Common questions
Is Panama good for backpackers?
Yes, especially Bocas del Toro and Boquete, with cheap hostels, buses and food.
How do I get from Tocumen airport cheaply?
Use Metro Line 2 or public buses; a taxi to Casco Viejo costs roughly US$30-35.
Bus or fly to Bocas del Toro?
Buses and shuttles are much cheaper but take most of a day; flights from Albrook take about 1 hour.