A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. Alexandria for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Panama City or Alexandria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Alexandria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Panama City

Panama City is a cosmopolitan, fun-filled, and active beach town. Panama City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and beaches. See Panama City travel costs.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a historic, charming, and quaint city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of Alexandria is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Alexandria travel costs.

Panama City and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Alexandria?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alexandria. Although Panama City and Alexandria are both popular with visitors, Alexandria has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alexandria is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Panama City is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and beaches. Panama City is more touristy than Alexandria and is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Alexandria is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also home to Mount Vernon.

How is Panama City different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alexandria and Panama City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Panama City or Alexandria?

Alexandria is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Alexandria can be an interesting and educational experience. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Panama City or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alexandria is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alexandria. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Panama City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many waterfront restaurants that serve freshly caught seafood. Head to town for a charming atmosphere or grab a bite at a casual eatery. Fried seafood is popular when eating out but you'll also find plenty of options for land-lovers. Most restaurants also have kid-friendly menus.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Panama City for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is particular crazy during spring break, when the town fills with students. Head to the famous Club La Vela or Spinnaker for music and fun at night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Music?

Panama City is a good destination for its music scene. However, Alexandria is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Panama City. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Alexandria is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Panama City has a few great resort options. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Beaches?

Panama City is great for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Panama City for it's beautiful beaches. With miles of long white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, this area's beaches offer a beautiful escape. Head to the area's state parks for the most natural experience. These include St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park. A day trip to Shell Island is also popular.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Alexandria offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Alexandria?

Alexandria is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Alexandria is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Panama City has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

Is Panama City or Alexandria More Beautiful?

Alexandria is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Alexandria is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The historic architecture and beautiful waterfront make this an iconic destination.

Panama City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With beautiful sand and blue water, Panama City is a beautiful spot for people who enjoy city beaches.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Families?

Panama City is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Panama City is very family-friendly. This area has large sandy beaches, waterparks, amusement parks, and marine parks. Kids will enjoy playing around at WonderWorks, cooling off at Shipwreck Island Waterpark, and learning about marine life at Gulf World Marine Park. There are also many watersports and water activities that are fun for the whole family.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Panama City and Alexandria are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Panama City frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful beaches and romantic restaurants make for a great romantic getaway. This is the perfect place to take sunset walks along the beach and sample freshly caught local seafood.

Alexandria is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Students?

Panama City is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

Many students visit Panama City. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Alexandria is top-notch. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Panama City. Most people need a car in Panama City but there is a trolley service that connects major tourist areas.

Is Panama City or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Panama City is not a very walkable beach town. There's often construction and the streets aren't designed for pedestrians.

For even more information, also check out Is Panama City Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Panama City or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Panama City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

Families should spend more time in Panama City than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Panama City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Panama City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Panama City if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Alexandria.

One day in Panama City or Alexandria?

With shopping and nightlife around the active beach town of Panama City, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Panama City or Alexandria?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Panama City, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Panama City or Alexandria?

Panama City, a popular beach town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The charming city of Alexandria offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Panama City or Alexandria?

Panama City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Alexandria, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Alexandria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Panama City Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Alexandria, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Panama City or Alexandria?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Panama City or Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and Panama City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alexandria in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Panama City is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Alexandria averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the summer, Panama City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Alexandria. Many visitors come to Panama City in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during autumn. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Alexandria. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alexandria can be very cold. Panama City is much warmer than Alexandria in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In the spring, Panama City is a little warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Alexandria averages at about 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Panama City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Panama City