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

Should you visit Panama City or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Phoenix, 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 nightlife, live music, and food. See Panama City travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Phoenix travel costs.

Panama City and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Phoenix?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Phoenix are both popular with visitors, Panama City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Panama City is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Panama City is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also home to Pier Park. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Panama City different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a great beach town for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Panama City has something for everybody. 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 Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Music?

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

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

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

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a great beach town for the beach. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

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

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Phoenix?

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

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

Phoenix has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Panama City or Phoenix More Beautiful?

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

Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Families?

Panama City is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Panama City is a great beach town for couples. Also, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Panama City or Phoenix Better for Students?

Panama City is a great beach town for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Phoenix 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 Phoenix.

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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Panama City or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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 Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Phoenix?

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

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

One day in Panama City or Phoenix?

In Panama City, you'll find nightlife and live music. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This beach town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the desert city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

In Panama City, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

Panama City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Panama City has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The laid back city of Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Panama City. In Panama City, you'll find shopping and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. 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 comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Panama City during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Panama City is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the summer, Panama City often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Phoenix. 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 Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Panama City is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Phoenix. Many visitors come to Panama City in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Panama City is cooler than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Panama City often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Panama City is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Panama City usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Panama City