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

Should you visit Panama City or Santa Cruz?

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 Cruz, 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.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Panama City and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Panama City and Santa Cruz are popular destinations, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is very popular for its museums and hiking, while Panama City attracts visitors for its music, resorts, and impressive beauty. Panama City is more touristy than Santa Cruz and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Santa Cruz is famous for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also well known for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Panama City different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz has something for everybody. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for live music. However, Santa Cruz 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 Cruz is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Both Panama City and Santa Cruz have very good beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Panama City. 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.

The beaches at Santa Cruz attract visitors from all over. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

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

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz and Panama City.

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

Santa Cruz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Panama City is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Panama City and Santa Cruz are both very good to visit as a couple.

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.

Santa Cruz is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Panama City is notable for students. However, Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

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 Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Panama City or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Cruz Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Panama City or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Panama City or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Panama City than Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

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

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

One day in Panama City or Santa Cruz?

With shopping and nightlife around the cosmopolitan beach town of Panama City, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic town of Santa Cruz. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Panama City, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Santa Cruz?

Panama City, a popular beach town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The scenic town of Santa Cruz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Cruz?

Panama City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

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 Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz?

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 Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Panama City in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°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 Cruz. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Panama City is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santa Cruz 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 Cruz this time of year.

In the winter, Panama City is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Santa Cruz 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. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In April, Panama City is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Panama City usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Panama City