Panama City Beach travel guide

Panama City Beach Tourism | Panama City Beach Guide

You're Going to Love Panama City Beach

With a population of 12,018, Panama City Beach is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Panama City Beach has to offer.

Where to Eat in Panama City Beach

If you’re looking for affordable options, Saltwater Grill - Panama City (11040 Hutchinson Blvd) and Runaway Island (14521 Front Beach Rd) are great picks.

When to visit Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach in January
Estimated hotel price
$104
1 night at 3-star hotel
Panama City Beach in January
Estimated hotel price
$104
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Panama City Beach 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 Beach, with an average rainfall of 2.8″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Panama City Beach

Plane

When flying to Panama City Beach, you’ll arrive at Panama City NW Florida Beaches (ECP), which is located 13 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Panama City Beach include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and United Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Panama City Beach departs from Killeen and takes around 4h 52m.

Car

Another option to get to Panama City Beach is to pick up a car rental from Pensacola, which is about 86 miles from Panama City Beach. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Turo, among others, in Pensacola.

Plane

When flying to Panama City Beach, you’ll arrive at Panama City NW Florida Beaches (ECP), which is located 13 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Panama City Beach include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and United Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Panama City Beach departs from Killeen and takes around 4h 52m.

Car

Another option to get to Panama City Beach is to pick up a car rental from Pensacola, which is about 86 miles from Panama City Beach. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Turo, among others, in Pensacola.

Airlines serving Panama City Beach

Lufthansa
Good (4,684 reviews)
KLM
Good (843 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,614 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,586 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,601 reviews)
Air France
Good (978 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,112 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,436 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,978 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,988 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,753 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,583 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,545 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,358 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (773 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (487 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (960 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (813 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Panama City Beach

Average rates range from around $268 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $363 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Osprey on the Gulf and Candlewood Suites Panama City Beach Pier.

Where to stay in popular areas of Panama City Beach

Most booked hotels in Panama City Beach

The Pearl Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (9.4, 85 reviews)
$850+
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Panama City Beach - Beachfront
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 1703 reviews)
$213+
Hilton Garden Inn Panama City Airport
3 stars
Excellent (9, 343 reviews)
$142+
Holiday Inn Panama City
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 259 reviews)
$175+
Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Beachfront
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1168 reviews)
$191+
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Panama City
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 717 reviews)
$107+

Renting a car in Panama City Beach

Renting a car in Panama City Beach costs $71 per day, on average, or $213 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Dollar, Budget and Avis are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Panama City Beach is the Dollar branch at 6300 West Bay Parkway, which is 12 miles from the city center.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 6% cheaper than airport locations in Panama City Beach.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Panama City Beach (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. Compact (Chevrolet Cobalt or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Panama City Beach, while also 57% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Panama City Beach costs $71 per day, on average, or $213 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Dollar, Budget and Avis are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Panama City Beach is the Dollar branch at 6300 West Bay Parkway, which is 12 miles from the city center.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 6% cheaper than airport locations in Panama City Beach.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Panama City Beach (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. Compact (Chevrolet Cobalt or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Panama City Beach, while also 57% cheaper than other types, on average.