A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Panama City vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Panama City or Saint John?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Saint John, 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.

Where Should I go: Panama City or Saint John?

Panama City

As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Saint John, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Panama City is in North America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Saint John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Saint John.

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 Saint John Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Panama City or Saint John?

Panama City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Panama City for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Panama City is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Panama City. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Saint John. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Panama City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Panama City in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Panama City is cooler than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Panama City usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Saint John. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Panama City is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Saint John. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Saint John. The spring months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In April, Panama City is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Panama City