Panama City travel guide
Panama City Tourism | Panama City Guide
You're Going to Love Panama City
With a population of 36,484, Panama City is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Panama City has to offer.
Where to Eat in Panama City
If you’re looking for affordable options, G. Foley's (3212 W 23rd Street) and Dreamers Restaurant & Bar (1136 Thomas Dr) are great picks.
When to visit Panama City
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Panama City in July, when the average temperature is 80.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 87.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 44.6 °F, with an average temperature of 53.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in July, when precipitation is around 7.9″. In contrast, May is usually the driest month of the year in Panama City, with an average rainfall of 2.8″.
How to Get to Panama City
Plane
When flying to Panama City, you’ll arrive at Panama City NW Florida Beaches (ECP), which is located 16 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Panama City include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and United Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Panama City departs from Austin and takes around 1h 55m.
Car
Another option to get to Panama City is to pick up a car rental from Pensacola, which is about 95 miles from Panama City. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Turo, among others, in Pensacola.
Bus
Panama City’s bus station is located 1.8 miles from the city center.
Airports near Panama City
Airlines serving Panama City
Where to stay in Panama City
Average rates range from around $318 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $427 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Quality Inn & Suites and Best Western Plus Panama City Hotel.
Where to stay in popular areas of Panama City
Most booked hotels in Panama City
Renting a car in Panama City
Renting a car in Panama City costs $74 per day, on average, or $222 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Avis are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Panama City is the Budget branch at 6300 West Bay Parkway, which is 16 miles from the city center.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 2% cheaper than airport locations in Panama City.
Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Panama City (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Panama City is Full-size (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Fiat 500C or similar) are, on average, 62% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.
Best car rental deals in Panama City
Intermediate
5 Adults, 3 Bags
$38/day
Supplier choice
5 Adults, 5 Bags
$40/day