A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Big Pine Key vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Panama City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Panama City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Panama City?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Panama City

As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Panama City, 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 Big Pine Key or Panama City?

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 Big Pine Key or Panama City in the Summer?

Both Panama City and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Panama City in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Panama City fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Panama City. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Panama City receives 283 hours of full sun.

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Panama City. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Panama City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Panama City. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Panama City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Panama City averages at about 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Panama City during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Panama City receives 256 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Panama City. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Panama City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Panama City. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.

In January, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Panama City. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Panama City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Panama City. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Panama City receives 185 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Panama City. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Panama City in the Spring?

Both Panama City and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Panama City in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Panama City fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Panama City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Panama City during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Panama City receives 295 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Panama City. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Panama City and Big Pine Key