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

Should you visit Panama City or Columbia River Gorge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Columbia River Gorge, 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Panama City travel costs.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a natural, beautiful, and scenic region. The beauty of Columbia River Gorge is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Columbia River Gorge travel costs.

Panama City and Columbia River Gorge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Columbia River Gorge?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Panama City is more touristy than Columbia River Gorge and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also well known for Pier Park. Columbia River Gorge is famous for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls.

How is Panama City different from Columbia River Gorge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge is a region with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Columbia River Gorge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Panama City or Columbia River Gorge? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

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 Columbia River Gorge Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia River Gorge. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Music?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Panama City active and fun. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Columbia River Gorge is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Panama City. 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Hiking?

Columbia River Gorge is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Columbia River Gorge. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Columbia River Gorge?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Columbia River Gorge and Panama City.

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

Columbia River Gorge has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge More Beautiful?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Impressive waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas make this a truly beautiful place to visit.

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 Columbia River Gorge Better for Families?

Panama City is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Panama City is an amazing family-friendly beach town to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Columbia River Gorge is very family-friendly. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Couples?

Panama City and Columbia River Gorge are both superb 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.

Columbia River Gorge is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is a great destination for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Columbia River Gorge is a great region to visit for backpackers. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge Better for Students?

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

Panama City is a great beach town to visit as a student. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

Columbia River Gorge is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Panama City and Columbia River Gorge.

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 mostly limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

Is Panama City or Columbia River Gorge a more walkable city?

Neither Panama City or Columbia River Gorge are walkable places.

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

Columbia River Gorge is not a very walkable beach town. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

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

Should I spend more time in Columbia River Gorge or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Columbia River Gorge?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Panama City and Columbia River Gorge. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Panama City than in Columbia River Gorge. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Columbia River Gorge.

Families should spend more time in Panama City than Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Panama City or Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Panama City. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful region of Columbia River Gorge. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Panama City is a fun place to experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the natural destination of Columbia River Gorge. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This region 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many people visit Panama City for five days. Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beach town of Panama City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

The scenic region of Columbia River Gorge offers shopping and nightlife. 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cosmopolitan destination of Panama City. Many people spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Panama City, one week is sufficent for most.

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

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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Columbia River Gorge?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Columbia River Gorge. The summer months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In July, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 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 Columbia River Gorge. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Columbia River Gorge. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Panama City is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°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 Columbia River Gorge. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia River Gorge can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Panama City is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Panama City usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Panama City in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Panama City is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Panama City