A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque, quaint, and charming 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea are both popular with visitors, Panama City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Panama City is more popular for its nightlife, music, and resorts, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its museums, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Panama City is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also home to Pier Park. Carmel-by-the-Sea is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Panama City different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Music?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for its music scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a beach town with good options for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Both Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea have high quality beaches worth visiting.

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.

The beaches at Carmel-by-the-Sea attract visitors from all over. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Panama City is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Panama City is a well-known place for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable town. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Panama City than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and shopping around the destination of Panama City, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and nightlife around the active beach town of Panama City, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and live music around the active destination of Panama City, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Because Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Panama City is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Panama City is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Panama City is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Panama City