Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Cocoa Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cocoa Beach vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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: Cocoa Beach or Panama City?
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCocoa Beach $145Panama City $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $145, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $224. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cocoa Beach and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCocoa Beach $85Panama City $128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCocoa Beach $170Panama City $256
Compare Hotels in Cocoa Beach and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Panama City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cocoa Beach $26Panama City $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Hotel transfers : $47
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $213
Is it cheaper to fly into Cocoa Beach or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Cocoa Beach change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCocoa Beach $43Panama City $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $75
- Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
- Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cocoa Beach $16Panama City $19
Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Wizard of OZ Museum tour: $30
- Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours on the Banana River: $38
- Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River: $38
- Dolphin Tours along and near the beautiful Indian River Lagoon : $40
- 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $45
- Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $45
- Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour: $49
- Daytime Guided Kayak Eco-Tour: $49
- Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour of Cocoa Beach: $49
- Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!: $50
- Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking: $50
- Indian River Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboarding Manatee and Dolphin Tour : $50
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Here are a few actual costs in Panama City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour with Capt. Zach's Adventures: $75
- 2 Hour Dolphin and Sightseeing Tour in Panama City Beach, Fl: $65
- 2 Hour Dolphin and Sightseeing Tour in Shell Island: $59
- 2 Hour Dolphin and Snorkeling Experience at Panama City: $90
- 2 Hour Private Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Panama City Beach: $399
- 3 Hour Cruise, swim/float sandbar - tandem tiki option: $80
- 90 min Cruise at Lower Grand Lagoon : $54
- Beginner Scuba Diving Tour PCB Free Videos: $79
- Beginner Scuba Diving Tour with Videos-PCB: $99
- Catamaran Snorkel and Dolphin Watch Tour in Panama City Beach: $50
- Cypress Springs Eco Adventure: $110
- Dolphin Sightseeing Tour on The Footloose Catamaran from Panama City Beach: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCocoa Beach $20Panama City $56
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach.
Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Panama City?
Panama City is bigger, and its population is about 3 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the population of Cocoa Beach vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Panama City in the Summer?
Both Panama City and Cocoa Beach 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.
In July, Cocoa Beach is generally around the same temperature as Panama City. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Panama City fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Panama City. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)Panama City 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Panama City in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach 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.
Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Panama City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Panama City fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Panama City. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)Panama City 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Panama City in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Panama City. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.
In the winter, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Panama City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Panama City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Panama City. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)Panama City 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Panama City in the Spring?
Both Panama City and Cocoa Beach 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.
In April, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Panama City. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Panama City fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Panama City. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Panama City receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)Panama City 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Panama City and Cocoa Beach
| Cocoa Beach | Panama City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.3 inches (184 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.5 inches (192 mm) |
| Oct | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Nov | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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