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

Should you visit Panama City or Vernon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Vernon, 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Panama City travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Panama City and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Vernon 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 Vernon is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Panama City is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also home to Pier Park. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Panama City different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Vernon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Vernon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Music?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Beaches?

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

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon 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 Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Vernon?

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

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

Vernon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Panama City or Vernon More Beautiful?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Families?

Panama City is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly beach town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Couples?

Panama City is a well-known place for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Panama City is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Panama City or Vernon Better for Students?

Panama City is a well-known place for students. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Vernon 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 Vernon.

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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Panama City or Vernon a more walkable city?

Vernon is a town 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.

Vernon is generally not very walkable. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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 Vernon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Vernon?

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

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

One day in Panama City or Vernon?

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 food and shopping when visiting the peaceful town of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Vernon?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Vernon. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Vernon?

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 peaceful town of Vernon offers museums and food. 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 Vernon?

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 food and shopping when visiting Vernon. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Vernon. 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 Vernon this time of year.

In the summer, Panama City is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Vernon. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Vernon. 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 Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Panama City is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon 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 Vernon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vernon can get quite cold in the winter. Panama City is much warmer than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Vernon. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon 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.

In the spring, Panama City is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Panama City