As of November 12, 2026, Panama is cheaper than Costa Rica for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $101 in Panama against $128 in Costa Rica, a gap of 25.8%. Over the past year Panama has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+1.9% after inflation, against −5.9%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2. Costa Rica is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Costa Rica | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $128 | $101 |
| Lean day | $56 | $46 |
| Comfortable day | $289 | $223 |
| Real change, 12 months | −5.9% | +1.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | −9.7% | 0.0% |
| Versus 5-year average | −10.7% | +8.9% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.4 · Well set up | 4.0 · Well set up |
| Index score | 50 | 62 |
| Best months | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder months | May, Jun, Nov | May, Dec |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Wildlife and stability, at a price: the colón has made it Central America's most expensive stop.
The catchA strong colón pushed dollar prices up sharply since 2022. It is safe and easy, but not cheap.
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.