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

Should you visit Panama City or Williamsburg?

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

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

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a quaint, well-preserved, and historic town. Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Panama City and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Williamsburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Panama City and Williamsburg are both popular with visitors, Williamsburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Williamsburg is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Panama City is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and beaches. Panama City is more touristy than Williamsburg and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Williamsburg is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also home to Colonial Williamsburg.

How is Panama City different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Williamsburg is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Williamsburg can be an interesting and educational experience. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for Music?

Panama City is a good destination for its music scene. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

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

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a great destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its old town. However, Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Williamsburg?

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

Williamsburg is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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 Williamsburg More Beautiful?

Panama City and Williamsburg are somewhat similar when it comes to the good scenery.

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.

Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Panama City and Williamsburg are both world-class 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.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Panama City and Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for students. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is a great destination for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

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.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Panama City or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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 Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Panama City or Williamsburg. 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 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

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

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

One day in Panama City or Williamsburg?

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 food and shopping when visiting the charming town of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Williamsburg?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Williamsburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Williamsburg?

In Panama City, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this fun-filled 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 charming town of Williamsburg offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Williamsburg?

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 food and shopping when visiting Williamsburg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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 Williamsburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Williamsburg?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Panama City is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. It's quite rainy in Panama City. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Panama City during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the autumn, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Williamsburg. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. Panama City is much warmer than Williamsburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Panama City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Williamsburg. The spring months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In the spring, Panama City is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the spring, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets less rain in April than Williamsburg. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Panama City