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

Should you visit Panama City or Oahu?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Oahu, 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Oahu

Oahu is a energetic, vibrant, and cosmopolitan island. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Panama City and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Oahu?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Oahu than Panama City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Oahu is better known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Panama City is more popular for its music. Panama City is well known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Oahu is well known for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). Also, Oahu is famous for Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

How is Panama City different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oahu is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oahu can be an interesting and educational experience. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Oahu can be difficult as they are each notable 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.

Oahu is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Oahu has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Panama City know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife in Oahu has something for everybody. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Music?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for its live music scene. However, Oahu is lacking in good options for its music scene.

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

For those who seek it out, Oahu has several music venues. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Resorts?

Oahu is a great destination for its resorts. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Oahu is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

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.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Oahu is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Panama City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Oahu to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Panama City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Beaches?

Oahu is an amazing island to visit for the beache. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches in Oahu are among the best in the world. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

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.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is an amazing island to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Oahu draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Oahu?

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

Oahu is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

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 Oahu Better for Families?

Panama City and Oahu are both amazing destinations for the whole family.

Panama City is an amazing family-friendly beach town to visit. 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.

Oahu is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Couples?

Oahu is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Oahu has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

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.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oahu is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Oahu. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Oahu Better for Students?

Panama City is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Oahu is not popular with students.

Panama City is a great beach town to visit as a student. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

Oahu is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Oahu 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 Oahu.

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 Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Is Panama City or Oahu a more walkable city?

Oahu is a island 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.

Oahu is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

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 Oahu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Oahu?

Both Panama City and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Oahu has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Oahu than Panama City. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Oahu than Panama City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oahu, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Panama City or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Panama City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the cosmopolitan island of Oahu. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Oahu?

Panama City is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Oahu. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Panama City or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Panama City. This beach town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the cosmopolitan island of Oahu. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Panama City or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cosmopolitan beach town of Panama City. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Oahu. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

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 Oahu, we can see that Oahu is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Panama City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Panama City 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu than you might in Panama City.

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 Oahu Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Panama City or Oahu?

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 Oahu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Oahu. The summer months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Oahu in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the summer, Panama City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Panama City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Oahu. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Oahu in the Autumn?

Both Oahu and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Panama City is cooler than Oahu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Oahu averages at about 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during autumn. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than Oahu. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu and Panama City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oahu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Panama City is generally much colder than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Panama City often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Oahu. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Oahu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Oahu. Many visitors come to Panama City in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Panama City is cooler than Oahu in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during spring. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Panama City usually receives more rain than Oahu. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Panama City