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

Should you visit Panama City or Charlottesville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Charlottesville, 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 active, cosmopolitan, and fun-filled beach town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Panama City and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Charlottesville?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Panama City than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Panama City is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville is more popular for its museums, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Panama City is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Also, Panama City is famous for Pier Park. Charlottesville is well known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Panama City different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Panama City is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Panama City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a great beach town for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Panama City has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Music?

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

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

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.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a great beach town for the beache. However, Charlottesville 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Charlottesville to see the old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

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

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Charlottesville?

Panama City is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Panama City. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Panama City does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Charlottesville. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Panama City does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Panama City is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Panama City is very family-friendly. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Panama City is a great beach town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Panama City is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Charlottesville is a good beach town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville Better for Students?

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

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

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 Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Panama City or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Charlottesville is a university 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.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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 Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Charlottesville?

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

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

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

One day in Panama City or Charlottesville?

The active destination of Panama City offers nightlife and live music. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?

The beach town of Panama City offers live music and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This university 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 Charlottesville?

Panama City is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This beach town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Because Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?

The fun-filled beach town of Panama City offers shopping and nightlife. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

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 Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Charlottesville?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?

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 Panama City or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Panama City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the summer, Panama City often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Charlottesville. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Panama City is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Charlottesville during autumn. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Panama City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Charlottesville. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. In January, Panama City is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Panama City is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Charlottesville during spring. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Panama City usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Panama City