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

Should you visit Panama City or Anchorage?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Anchorage, 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 fun-filled, active, and cosmopolitan beach town. Panama City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Panama City travel costs.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a scenic, breathtaking, and cultural city. The famous beauty of Anchorage is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Anchorage travel costs.

Panama City and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Anchorage?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Anchorage are popular destinations, Panama City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Panama City is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, and beaches, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty. Panama City is more touristy than Anchorage and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also well known for Pier Park. Anchorage is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture.

How is Panama City different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Anchorage 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 Anchorage?

Anchorage is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Anchorage can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Panama City. 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.

Anchorage is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Panama City offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Music?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Panama City. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for its resorts. However, Anchorage is not a resort destination.

Panama City has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Anchorage is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Anchorage is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Panama City attract visitors from all over. 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.

Anchorage is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Anchorage draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Anchorage?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Anchorage and Panama City.

Panama City offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

Anchorage has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Panama City or Anchorage More Beautiful?

Anchorage is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Anchorage is one of the main draws. The city offers access to spectacular beauty. It's surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking glaciers, and vast wilderness.

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 Anchorage Better for Families?

Panama City is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Panama City is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. 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.

Anchorage is a family-friendly beach town. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Panama City and Anchorage are both high quality 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.

Anchorage is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

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

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Anchorage Better for Students?

Panama City is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Panama City is a moderate beach town for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Panama City or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Anchorage is a city with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Anchorage is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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 Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Panama City and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Panama City than in Anchorage. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Anchorage 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 Anchorage.

One day in Panama City or Anchorage?

You'll find food and shopping around the beach town of Panama City. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the breathtaking city of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Panama City or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Panama City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the breathtaking destination of Anchorage. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Anchorage?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the cosmopolitan beach town of Panama City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

The artsy city of Anchorage offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Anchorage?

Panama City is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Panama City, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Anchorage. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. 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 Anchorage, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 Anchorage.

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 Anchorage Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Anchorage?

Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Anchorage, 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 Anchorage?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Panama City or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Anchorage. The beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Panama City is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Anchorage. Many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. Panama City is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the autumn, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Anchorage. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Panama City in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Panama City is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In April, Panama City is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the spring, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Panama City