A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Panama City or Santa Monica?

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

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

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a funfilled, energetic, and active town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Panama City and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Santa Monica?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Panama City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Monica is better known for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, and shopping, while Panama City is more popular for its music, resorts, and impressive beauty. Panama City is well known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Santa Monica is well known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier.

How is Panama City different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Monica offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

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 Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica has something for everybody. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

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

Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches in Santa Monica are among the best in the world. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Santa Monica?

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

Santa Monica is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Santa Monica More Beautiful?

Panama City is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Panama City and Santa Monica are both fantastic destinations for the whole family.

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.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Panama City and Santa Monica are both very good 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.

Santa Monica is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Monica. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Panama City is notable for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Panama City is a very popular beach town for students and younger travelers. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Santa Monica is a great destination for its public transit. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Santa Monica can get you around easily. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

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 Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Santa Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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 Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Santa Monica?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Panama City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Monica, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica.

One day in Panama City or Santa Monica?

In Panama City, many people enjoy the live music and food that this cosmopolitan beach town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled town of Santa Monica. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Panama City or Santa Monica?

Panama City is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the active destination of Santa Monica. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town 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 Santa Monica?

In Panama City, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this cosmopolitan destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The active town of Santa Monica offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Santa Monica?

Panama City is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Monica. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 Santa Monica, we can see that Panama City 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 Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?

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 Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Panama City in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Panama City is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Santa Monica. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Panama City is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In January, Panama City is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches.

Panama City is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Panama City