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

Should you visit Panama City or New Bern?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or New Bern, 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

New Bern

New Bern is a quaint, charming, and laid back town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Panama City and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or New Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Panama City. Although Panama City and New Bern are popular destinations, Panama City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Panama City is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while New Bern attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Panama City is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. It is also well known for Pier Park. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Panama City different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and New Bern can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Panama City. 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.

New Bern is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Panama City is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for live music. However, New Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Panama City is active and vibrant. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a popular place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Panama City has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Panama City is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Panama City is considered a top beach destination. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or New Bern?

Shopping is a popular activity in both New Bern and Panama City.

Panama City offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

New Bern has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Families?

Panama City is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Panama City is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Couples?

Panama City is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Students?

Panama City is well known for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Panama City is a very popular beach town for students and younger travelers. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

New Bern is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or New Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Panama City is a beach town with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is Panama City or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

New Bern is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore 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 New Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Panama City or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Panama City than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

Families should spend more time in Panama City than New Bern. 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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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 New Bern.

One day in Panama City or New Bern?

The beach town of Panama City offers live music and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. 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 New Bern?

Panama City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 New Bern?

Panama City is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Panama City, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Because New Bern 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 New Bern?

Panama City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Panama City has to offer. This beach town offers something for everyone.

Since New Bern 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 New Bern, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.

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 New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or New Bern?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and New Bern, 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 New Bern?

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 New Bern in the Summer?

Both New Bern and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Panama City in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Panama City is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. It's quite rainy in Panama City. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than New Bern. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Panama City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Panama City is a little warmer than New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as New Bern. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or New Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and New Bern. The winter months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

In the winter, Panama City is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Panama City usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Panama City as well as New Bern. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm.

In April, Panama City is generally a little warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as New Bern. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Panama City