A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Panama City vs. Kamloops for Families, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Panama City or Kamloops?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Kamloops, 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. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food. See Panama City travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a nature-filled, laid-back, and outdoorsy city. And you can't forget about the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Kamloops travel costs.

Panama City and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Kamloops?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Panama City than Kamloops, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Panama City is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Kamloops is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, and hiking. Panama City is more touristy than Kamloops and is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Also, Panama City is famous for Pier Park. Kamloops is well known for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses.

How is Panama City different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Panama City is not a skiing destination.

People head to Kamloops specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Panama City is not a skiing destination.

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

Kamloops is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Kamloops is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Panama City has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Kamloops has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Music?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for its live music scene. However, Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Beaches?

Panama City is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Kamloops has hiking trails worth exploring. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Kamloops?

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

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

Kamloops has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Panama City or Kamloops More Beautiful?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Families?

Panama City is an amazing beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Panama City is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Panama City makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Kamloops is a good beach town for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Panama City or Kamloops Better for Students?

Panama City is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Kamloops 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 Kamloops.

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 Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Panama City or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Kamloops 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.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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 Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Panama City or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Panama City than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

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

One day in Panama City or Kamloops?

The beach town of Panama City offers live music and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the nature-filled city of Kamloops. 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 Kamloops?

Panama City is a popular place that is full of things to see and 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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back destination of Kamloops. 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 Kamloops?

Panama City is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Panama City, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The laid-back city of Kamloops offers food and shopping. 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 Kamloops?

Panama City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Panama City has to offer. This beach town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Kamloops. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Kamloops, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Kamloops much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kamloops would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamloops 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 Kamloops.

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 Kamloops Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Kamloops?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Kamloops. The beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Panama City is a little warmer than Kamloops in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Panama City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Kamloops in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Panama City is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Kamloops averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and Panama City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Panama City in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Kamloops for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kamloops can be very cold during winter. In January, Panama City is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Panama City usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Kamloops. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Panama City is much warmer than Kamloops in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Panama City usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Panama City