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

Should you visit Panama City or Dallas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Dallas, 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 active, cosmopolitan, and fun-filled beach town. Panama City is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Panama City travel costs.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active 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 Dallas travel costs.

Panama City and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Dallas?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dallas than Panama City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dallas is better known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Panama City is more popular for its music, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Panama City is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. Also, Dallas is famous for the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Panama City different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas 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 Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dallas 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 Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

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 Dallas Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Dallas has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Panama City know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife in Dallas has something for everybody. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Panama City or Dallas Better for Music?

Panama City is very good for its live music scene. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Dallas Better for Resorts?

Panama City is very good for its resorts. However, Dallas is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Panama City makes a nice vacation spot. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a well-known place for the beach. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Dallas?

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

Dallas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

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 Dallas More Beautiful?

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

Panama City is a beautiful place to visit, too. With beautiful sand and blue water, Panama City is a beautiful spot for people who enjoy city beaches.

Dallas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Dallas Better for Families?

Panama City is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Panama City or Dallas Better for Couples?

Panama City and Dallas are both excellent 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.

Dallas is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Panama City or Dallas Better for Students?

Panama City is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Dallas 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 Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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 Dallas a more walkable city?

Dallas 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.

Dallas is generally not very walkable. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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 Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Panama City or Dallas. 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 Dallas.

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

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

One day in Panama City or Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Panama City. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 upscale city of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

Panama City is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the active destination of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Panama City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The active city of Dallas 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 Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun-filled destination of Panama City. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. 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 Dallas, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

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 Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Dallas. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Panama City is cooler than Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 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 Dallas. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Dallas. The autumn months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In the autumn, Panama City is around the same temperature as Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. 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 Dallas. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Dallas. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dallas in the spring for the activities around the city.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, 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 Dallas. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Panama City