A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. Bar Harbor for Families, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Panama City or Bar Harbor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Bar Harbor, 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. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and food.

Panama City and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Bar Harbor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Bar Harbor are popular destinations, Panama City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Panama City is very popular for its nightlife, music, and beaches, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Panama City is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also well known for Pier Park. Bar Harbor is famous for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Panama City different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

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 Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Panama City offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor Better for Music?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Panama City. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, nice resorts can be found in both Panama City and Bar Harbor.

With a selection of resorts, Panama City makes a nice vacation spot. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

The beaches at Panama City attract visitors from all over. 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.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

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

Bar Harbor has hiking trails worth exploring. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Bar Harbor?

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

Bar Harbor is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

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 Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Panama City is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Panama City is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. 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.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly beach town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Panama City and Bar Harbor are both high quality 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.

Bar Harbor is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Panama City is a well-known place for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor.

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 Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Panama City or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor 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.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable coastal town. The town is small enough that it's easily explored 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 Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Panama City and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Panama City than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor.

One day in Panama City or Bar Harbor?

With shopping and nightlife around the cosmopolitan beach town of Panama City, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Panama City, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This coastal 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 Bar Harbor?

Panama City, a popular beach town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Because Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Bar Harbor?

Panama City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Bar Harbor, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Bar Harbor?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?

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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Bar Harbor. The beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Panama City is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Panama City in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Panama City is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Panama City is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Panama City usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Panama City