A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. Santa Barbara for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Panama City or Santa Barbara?

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

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

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a scenic, stunning, and wealthy coastal town. 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. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Panama City and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Santa Barbara?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Panama City and Santa Barbara are both popular with visitors, Santa Barbara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Barbara is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Panama City is known for its nightlife and music. Panama City is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Santa Barbara is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Panama City different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Panama City or Santa Barbara Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for its music scene. However, Santa Barbara 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.

Santa Barbara is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

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

Santa Barbara is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Panama City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santa Barbara has a few snorkeling spots. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Panama City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for the beache. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches in Santa Barbara are among the best in the world. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

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 Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Is Panama City or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santa Barbara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Santa Barbara make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Panama City is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit 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.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly destination. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is Panama City or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Santa Barbara has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Panama City and Santa Barbara are very good places to visit for 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

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

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Barbara, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is mostly limited in Panama City. Most people need a car in Panama City but there is a trolley service that connects major tourist areas.

Is Panama City or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara 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.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable coastal town. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored 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 Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Santa Barbara?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara.

One day in Panama City or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the active destination of Panama City. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning coastal town of Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Panama City. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the opulent destination of Santa Barbara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal 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 Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun-filled destination of Panama City. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The wealthy coastal town of Santa Barbara offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the beach town of Panama City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Santa Barbara, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara.

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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?

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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Panama City is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).

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

Should I visit Panama City or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Panama City is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Panama City