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

Should you visit Panama City or Whistler?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Whistler, 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 fun-filled, active, and cosmopolitan beach town. Panama City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Panama City travel costs.

Whistler

Whistler is a outdoorsy, charming, and adventurous village. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Whistler travel costs.

Panama City and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Whistler?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Whistler. Although Panama City and Whistler are popular destinations, Whistler has more sights and attractions for tourists. Whistler is very popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, food, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Panama City attracts visitors for its music and beaches. Panama City is famous for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Whistler is famous for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. It is also well known for Cloudraker Skybridge.

How is Panama City different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for winter skiing. However, Panama City is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Whistler is among the best in the world. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

Panama City is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Whistler offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Whistler 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 Whistler. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

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 Whistler Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Whistler 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 Whistler has something for everybody. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Music?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler is a great destination for its resorts. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Whistler is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

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.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Hiking?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Whistler draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Whistler?

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

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

Whistler has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is Panama City or Whistler More Beautiful?

Whistler is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

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.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Families?

Panama City and Whistler are both amazing 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.

Whistler is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Couples?

Panama City and Whistler are both superb 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.

Whistler is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

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

Whistler is a great destination for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Whistler is a great village to visit for backpackers. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Whistler Better for Students?

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

Whistler is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Whistler 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 Whistler.

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 Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is Panama City or Whistler a more walkable city?

Whistler 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.

Whistler is a very walkable village. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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 Whistler Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Whistler or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Whistler?

In either Panama City or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Panama City than Whistler because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Whistler 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 Whistler.

One day in Panama City or Whistler?

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 adventurous village of Whistler. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Whistler?

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 charming destination of Whistler. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This village 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 Whistler?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy village of Whistler. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Panama City or Whistler?

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 Whistler. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

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

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 Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Whistler?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 Whistler in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Whistler. The summer months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

In July, Panama City is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whistler this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Whistler. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Whistler in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Whistler. 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 Whistler for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Panama City is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the autumn, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Panama City usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Whistler in the Winter?

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

Whistler can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Panama City is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In January, Panama City usually receives less rain than Whistler. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Whistler in the Spring?

Both Whistler 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Whistler for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Panama City is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the spring, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Panama City usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Panama City