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

Should you visit Panama City or Charlotte?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Charlotte, 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 beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Panama City travel costs.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a growing, evolving, and up-and-coming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Charlotte travel costs.

Panama City and Charlotte: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Charlotte?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Charlotte. Although Panama City and Charlotte are both popular with visitors, Charlotte has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Charlotte is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Panama City is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Panama City is more touristy than Charlotte and is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Charlotte is popular for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. It is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

How is Panama City different from Charlotte?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Charlotte offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Charlotte can be difficult as they are each good 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.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is great for its evening party scene. Also, Charlotte 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 Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Music?

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

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Panama City. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Charlotte is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Resorts?

Panama City is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Charlotte 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.

Charlotte is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Beaches?

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

Panama City is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Charlotte is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Charlotte?

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

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

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Is Panama City or Charlotte More Beautiful?

Panama City is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Families?

Panama City is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Panama City is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Couples?

Panama City is great for couples. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Panama City is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Is Panama City or Charlotte Better for Students?

Panama City is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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

Charlotte is a good beach town to visit for students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

Charlotte is a nice place 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.

You'll find some public transit in Charlotte, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Charlotte a more walkable city?

Charlotte is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable place. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Charlotte Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlotte or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Charlotte?

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

Families should spend more time in Panama City than Charlotte. 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 Charlotte. 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

One day in Panama City or Charlotte?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the growing city of Charlotte. 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 Charlotte?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the cosmopolitan 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 food and shopping when visiting the evolving destination of Charlotte. 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 Charlotte?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the active 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 evolving city of Charlotte offers shopping and museums. 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 Charlotte?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting Charlotte. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Charlotte, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Charlotte much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlotte would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

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 Charlotte Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Charlotte, 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 Charlotte?

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 Charlotte in the Summer?

Both Charlotte and Panama City during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Panama City is around the same temperature as Charlotte. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlotte averages at about 81°F (27°C).

In Charlotte, 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 Charlotte. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun.

Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Charlotte. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Charlotte in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Charlotte. The autumn months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.

In October, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Charlotte during autumn. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Charlotte in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Charlotte. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Panama City is much warmer than Charlotte in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

In the winter, Panama City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in January than Charlotte. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Charlotte in the Spring?

Both Charlotte and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Charlotte in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Panama City is a little warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlotte. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Charlotte during spring. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Panama City usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlotte and Panama City