Cheap hotels in Central America

Central America links two oceans, and Panama City is its busiest gateway — a modern skyline beside a colonial old town, a short drive from the locks of the Panama Canal. Many travelers add a few nights before or after a Panama Canal cruise or on a stopover between the Americas. Our guides show where to stay in each city, with live rates from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.

Finding cheap rooms in Central America is easier when you know where to look. We compare live hotel rates across the top booking sites and point you to the neighborhoods where hotels are cheap but the location is still great.

Cheap hotels by city in Central America

Panama

Cheap hotels in Panama City

Casco Viejo · El Cangrejo & Bella Vista · Avenida Balboa

Tips for finding cheap rooms in Central America

• The dry season, roughly mid-December to April, is the most popular time to visit and brings the highest rates; the rainy months are usually cheaper.
• Panama Canal cruises may start or end on either the Pacific or the Caribbean side — confirm your port before choosing a hotel.
• Hotel rates in Panama are quoted in US dollars, and taxes are added on top; compare the final total.
• City traffic can be heavy at rush hour, so a hotel close to where you need to be saves a lot of time.