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

Should you visit Panama City or Victoria?

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

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

Victoria

Victoria is a relaxing, cultural, and scenic city. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Victoria travel costs.

Panama City and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Victoria?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Victoria 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 Victoria is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Panama City is more touristy than Victoria and is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also home to Pier Park. Victoria is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Panama City different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Victoria offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Victoria is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Panama City has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Music?

Panama City is a good destination for its music scene. However, Victoria is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Panama City. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Victoria is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a very popular place for the beach. However, Victoria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Panama City for it's beautiful 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.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Hiking?

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

Victoria has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Victoria?

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

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

Victoria has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Panama City or Victoria More Beautiful?

Panama City is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, Panama City is very family-friendly. 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.

Victoria is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Couples?

Panama City and Victoria are both great 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.

Victoria is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Victoria Better for Students?

Panama City is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Victoria is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Victoria is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Victoria 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 Victoria.

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 Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Panama City or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria 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.

Victoria is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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 Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Panama City or Victoria. 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 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

One day in Panama City or Victoria?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing city of Victoria. 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 Victoria?

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 food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Victoria. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Panama City or Victoria?

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 relaxing city of Victoria 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 Victoria?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting Victoria. 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

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 Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Victoria. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Panama City is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Panama City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Panama City in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Panama City is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than Victoria. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Panama City during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Victoria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. Panama City is much warmer than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Panama City usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Victoria. The spring months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Panama City is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In April, Panama City usually receives more rain than Victoria. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Panama City