As of November 12, 2026, Panama is cheaper than Argentina for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $101 in Panama against $120 in Argentina, a gap of 18.6%. Over the past year Panama has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+1.9% after inflation, against −15.2%). Argentina carries the lower US advisory (Level 1 against Level 2).
| Measure | Argentina | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $120 | $101 |
| Lean day | $54 | $46 |
| Comfortable day | $277 | $223 |
| Real change, 12 months | −15.2% | +1.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +9.5% | 0.0% |
| Versus 5-year average | −30.5% | +8.9% |
| US advisory | Level 1 · Normal precautions | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.3 · Well set up | 4.0 · Well set up |
| Index score | 46 | 62 |
| Best months | Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder months | May, Sep | May, Dec |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Once the definitive currency bargain, now the definitive warning.
The catchSince 2024 inflation has run well ahead of the peso's decline, making Argentina expensive in hard-currency terms. Check the real rate before assuming old advice holds.
A skyline, a canal and two oceans, all in US dollars.
The catchDollarized, with capital-city prices close to US levels.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.