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

Should you visit Panama City or Wisconsin Dells?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Wisconsin Dells, 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. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a lighthearted, high energy, and fun-filled city. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and nightlife.

Panama City and Wisconsin Dells: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Wisconsin Dells?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Panama City than Wisconsin Dells, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Panama City is better known for its music, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Wisconsin Dells is more popular for its museums and hiking. Panama City is well known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Also, Panama City is famous for Pier Park. Wisconsin Dells is well known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere.

How is Panama City different from Wisconsin Dells?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wisconsin Dells is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Wisconsin Dells offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Panama City and Wisconsin Dells 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.

Wisconsin Dells is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells has something for everybody. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Wisconsin Dells 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.

Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, notable resorts can be found in both Panama City and Wisconsin Dells.

With a selection of resorts, Panama City makes a nice vacation spot. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Wisconsin Dells has a few great resort options. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a great destination for the beache. However, Wisconsin Dells 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.

Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Hiking?

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

Wisconsin Dells has hiking trails worth exploring. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Wisconsin Dells?

Panama City is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.

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

Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Families?

Panama City and Wisconsin Dells are both fantastic 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.

Wisconsin Dells is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Couples?

Panama City is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Wisconsin Dells is a good beach town for couples to visit. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells Better for Students?

Panama City is a great destination for students. However, Wisconsin Dells 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.

Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells 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, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options 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 Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.

Is Panama City or Wisconsin Dells a more walkable city?

Wisconsin Dells is a city 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.

Wisconsin Dells is generally not very walkable. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.

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 Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wisconsin Dells or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Wisconsin Dells?

It's fun to spend time in either Panama City or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Panama City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.

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

Couples should spend more time in Panama City than Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.

One day in Panama City or Wisconsin Dells?

The fun-filled destination of Panama City offers nightlife and live music. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells?

The beach town of Panama City offers live music and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the lighthearted destination of Wisconsin Dells. This city 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 Wisconsin Dells?

Panama City is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This beach town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

The lighthearted city of Wisconsin Dells offers nightlife and food. 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 Wisconsin Dells?

The active beach town of Panama City offers shopping and nightlife. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.

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 Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Wisconsin Dells?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

Both Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Panama City is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually receives less sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Panama City. In July, Panama City usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

Both Wisconsin Dells 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Panama City is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 52°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the autumn, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells this time of year.

It's quite cold in Wisconsin Dells in the winter. In January, Panama City is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).

Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Wisconsin Dells. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Panama City this time of year.

Panama City is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the spring, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wisconsin Dells. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Panama City