If you speak to anyone who has done an extended backpacking trip, they will likely tell you that it was truly the trip of a lifetime; staying in hostels, meeting new people everyday and being able to get off the beaten path truly make for an experience like no other. The only downside to such a trip is that it can be very difficult to stick to the budget that you originally set for yourself. In this post, I’m going to outline some simple and efficient ways to cut costs while still being able to get the most out of your trip.
Make Your Own Food
One of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary spending is simply by making your own food. Most hostels in Panama provide guests with decently-equipped kitchens; at the very least they will have some pots, pans, and a stovetop. Pasta, stir fry, and the classic ol’ instant noodle cup are some of my go-tos when cooking in hostel kitchens. You can easily find ingredients for pasta and stir fries at local markets and vegetable stands. This brings me to my next point of where to buy food.
Shop Locally
One of my favourite things about Panama is how readily available fresh produce is. Even in the smallest towns, it’s not hard to find a small market or vegetable stand selling fresh, organic produce for a great price. I’ve found that the smaller businesses often have better prices than the big name grocery stores, however the bigger stores are usually better if you’re looking for more obscure ingredients. Bottom line, it’s not hard to find great food for good prices in most places you’ll be staying.
Transport
Another great way to save money while travelling is by using public transportation whenever possible. I know that taxis can be tempting to use to get from point A to point B quickly and efficiently (and I’ve been guilty of using taxis waaay too often - especially when it seems like a good price at the time) but these costs definitely begin to add up. I like to reserve taxi trips for when I’m going somewhere with my big backpack, or if I’m just feeling especially lazy. It also helps to find someone going to the same place as you are, that way you can cut your taxi fare in half. Most hostels have bus schedules readily available at the reception, and in my experience the staff are usually quite helpful when it comes to trying to plan a route to get somewhere.
Accommodation
Although Panama is one of the more expensive countries in Central America, finding decently priced accommodation is not too hard to come by. Browsing Hostelworld and Booking.com makes it easy to compare nightly prices for various hostels. I personally like to find a hostel through one of these sites, then book my bed directly through the hostel’s website to avoid paying the third-party overhead from the booking sites. Some hostels, such as The Lost and Found Hostel (in between Bocas del Toro and Boquete) offer promotions such as stay 3 nights, and get the fourth night free. Finding deals like this is another good way to save some money.
Volunteer!
Volunteering at a hostel in exchange for accommodation is a really fun way to save some money while also gaining the experience of a lifetime. A lot of hostels in Panama will give their volunteers free or discounted accommodation in exchange for doing various jobs such as reception, housekeeping, etc. Workaway.com is a great place to find different volunteering opportunities.
By following these easy tips, you’ll be able to save your money for the things that truly matter, like tours, excursions and alcohol!
If you plan on travelling to Panama from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica (or going the opposite way, check out our article on the Cheapest Way to Travel from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica to Panama!