Town in Veraguas, Panama
Cost of living in Santa Catalina
How much a month costs in Santa Catalina
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,200–1,800 ($1,200–1,800).
Prices in Santa Catalina
Typical 2026 ranges in USD, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | USD | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | $400–800 | $400–800 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | $300–600 | $300–600 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | $12–22 | $12–22 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | $50–100 | $50–100 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | $4–8 | $4–8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | $10–20 | $10–20 |
| Cappuccino | $3–4 | $3–4 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | $2–4 | $2–4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | $2–6 | $2–6 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | $3–8 | $3–8 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | $15–30 | $15–30 |
Value for money: 72/100
A value score of 72/100 means Santa Catalina gives more quality of life per dollar than 71% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 71/100. It's the 1st most affordable of 6 places we cover in Panama.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Panama
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Catalina | $1,200–1,800 | 72/100 |
| Boquete | $1,300–2,000 | 67/100 |
| Bocas del Toro | $1,500–2,300 | 44/100 |
| Pedasí | $1,500–2,300 | 52/100 |
| San Blas Islands | $1,500–2,500 | 47/100 |
| Panama City | $2,000–3,000 | 25/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Santa Catalina
Similar safety, lower cost, in Mexico & Central America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Ometepe | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| León | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| Guanajuato | Mexico | $988–1,540 |
| Granada | Nicaragua | $815–1,360 |
| Utila | Honduras | $894–1,420 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Santa Catalina?
About $700–1,000 on a lean budget, $1,200–1,800 for a comfortable month and $2,200–3,500 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Santa Catalina?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs $400–800 ($400–800) a month in the center and $300–600 ($300–600) outside it.
How much does food cost in Santa Catalina?
A local meal is $4–8 ($4–8); a mid-range restaurant is $10–20 ($10–20) per person.
Is Panama expensive?
Prices in Panama are about 45% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Santa Catalina
Going to Santa Catalina solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Panama Tourism Authority (ATP)
- Coiba National Park (MiAmbiente)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.