Destination with attractions that appeal to different profiles and excellent for family trips, Panama City Beach, Florida, has plenty of reasons to deserve the title of paradise. Every year, thousands of visitors fill the city’s streets and beaches in search of the long summer climate, soft white sands and warm, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Those looking for some shade and fresh water will be surprised by Panama City Beach – which is a six-hour drive from Orlando. Closer to Alabama than the famous cities on the state’s peninsula, the city mixes southern-influenced cuisine and culture with a tropical, beachy climate. All this, of course, always accompanied by a good drink and good food served in the restaurants and bars in the region.
Best Time to Visit Panama City Beach
Florida is a year-round destination, with mild winters and pleasant summers. The most popular time to visit Panama City Beach and the rest of the Costa Smeralda is during the warmer months, between April and October.
Read too:
• Complete guide to planning your Emerald Coast trip
• What to do in Destin, Florida: complete guide to enjoying the city
How to get around Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is no different from other small American cities. Renting a car is essential for getting around the main attractions and will give you much more freedom when traveling. There’s no need to be afraid: the traffic is calm, the roads are good and the cars are automatic there. Read more about driving in the United States. Another option, which may be worth it, is to take Uber or Lift.
See here how to rent a car in the United States with the best cost/benefit
What to do in Panama City Beach, Florida
Russell-Fields Pier and Panama Pier Park
View of the Panama City Beach Pier
A good way to start your visit is with a walk along the Russell-Fields Pier, which extends 460 meters into the Gulf of Mexico and provides a beautiful view of Panama City Beach’s central beach below – often full of swimmers.
Right in front of the pier is the entrance to Pier Park, the city center that looks like an open-air shopping mall, full of stores for all tastes – from small boutiques to large department stores, such as Target and Wall Mart. -, kiosks with souvenirs and restaurants.
At the end of the avenue is the SkyWheel, a 53-meter-high Ferris wheel that, at its highest point, offers a panoramic view of the city. Admission costs 15 dollars ($10 for children). There are combo ticket options available to include the SkyTrail, a ropes course that ends with a zipline.
Next to the Ferris wheel is the hyped The Yard Milkshake Bar, which sells the most Instagrammable milkshakes around. With unusual flavors such as birthday cake and “mermaid”, the treat promises to please those with an ant’s palate.
Shell Island, a pristine gem in Panama City Beach
With one side facing the Gulf of Mexico and the other facing St. Andrews Bay, Shell Island is a deserted island and one of the best places to enjoy a beach break in Panama City Beach. Populated by deer, several species of seabirds and all types of coastal animals, the island has a rich wildlife that includes some names that appear on the list of endangered animals, such as the Choctawhatchee, a mouse that can only be found in the beaches in the United States, the piping plover and the snowy plover (two birds), as well as sea turtles.
To get there, you need to book a boat trip or jet ski with one of the several local companies. A private boat, to share with up to 12 friends, costs around US$180 for half a day. Jet ski rental costs around US$130 for two hours.
There is also a shuttle that leaves from St. Andrews State Park, but the cheapest alternative is the express ferry that leaves from Capt. Anderson’s Marina (around US$25 per person round trip). Departure and return times vary greatly depending on the time of year, so remember to check the official website before planning.
Aerial view of Shell Island, with the Gulf of Mexico and Bay and St. Andrews. Photo: Andy Spinelli
The island is completely wild, so pack some snacks, a sandwich for lunch and bring a cooler with drinks. Fun is guaranteed, but remember to take all your trash back with you.
St. Andrews State Park
This state park was once a military reservation, but today it is open to anyone who wants to enjoy its emerald green water that bathes the beaches facing the Gulf of Mexico and the Grand Lagoon. There, water sports, such as snorkeling, diving and kayaking, are quite popular. When you get tired of the beach, two natural trails that can be explored on foot or by bike show off all the local biodiversity. There is also a picnic pavilion and campsites with minimal infrastructure for those who want to venture out and sleep there. There is also a convenience store with snacks and souvenirs. Entrance costs around US$5 per person or US$10 per car with up to eight passengers.
St. Andrews State Park is on the peninsula at the east end of Panama City Beach. Shell Island is right in front, you can combine the two tours by taking the Shell Island Shuttle inside the park or renting a boat at Pontoon Boat Rentals.
Carillon Beach
Private beach inside a family village, Carillon Beach looks like a movie set in the suburbs of the United States. The two-story houses with gardens are, many of them, available for seasonal rental. But even those who just want to spend the day will be enchanted by the quiet, clean and very well preserved beach. Just be careful not to step on the crabs that appear in large numbers there.
Where to Stay in Panama City Beach: Hotels
Vista do quarto do Resort Quest by Windham
Panama City Beach often looks like something out of a cartoon or a Disney park. Its colorful and friendly shopping center is right in front of the pier and it is in this area that many of the city’s land attractions are concentrated, such as the SkyWheel Ferris wheel. On the same avenue there are a multitude of hotels and holiday apartments to choose from. The net Resort Quest by Windham offers huge apartments by the sea for those traveling with the whole family.
Find hotels in Panama City Beach
Where to eat in Panama City Beach
Pompano Joe’s
(16202 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach)
Located at the entrance to Pier Park, Pompano Joe’s serves authentic Caribbean and Cajun food and tropical cocktails. All of this on the nice little balcony facing the beach. Don’t forget to try the crab cakes and shrimp. The place is a great option (good and cheap) for post-beach lunch. Official site.
The Grand Marlin
(5323 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach)
Overlooking the Grand Lagoon, Grand Marlin serves fresh seafood in a tranquil setting that reflects the local lifestyle. The oyster bar boasts of offering some of the best from the Apalachicola Bay and East Bay region, as well as other more exotic destinations. Official site.
Andy’s Flour Power
(3123 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach)
Open only for breakfast and lunch, Andy’s uses only fresh ingredients to prepare its muffins, puff pastries, pancakes and omelets, which is why it ended up becoming one of the region’s favorite restaurants. On weekends there is live music from 9am to 1pm. Official site.
Saltwater Grill
(11040 Hutchinson Blvd, Panama City Beach)
The first thing you’ll see when you enter this restaurant is the saltwater aquarium that holds 25,000 gallons of water. The second is the menu with a selection of seafood caught right there in the Gulf of Mexico. And if you’re in the mood for something different, there’s also an option for meat dishes. Official site.
Liza’s Kitchen
(7328 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL)
Family restaurant serving freshly made food, including soups, sandwiches and salads. The place is famous among locals for the brunch served on Sunday, which has options such as eggs benedict, French toast and Biscuits and Gravy, a typical breakfast dish from the southern United States. Official site.
Firefly
(535 Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach)
Award-winning restaurant with an excellent selection of seafood, meat, wine and sushi. The place has even hosted the Obama family, and served athletes from the American delegation at the London Olympics with its famous grouper recipe (typical fish from the region). Official site.
Thomas’ Donuts & Snack Shop
(19208 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL)
Who has never dreamed of eating those fluffy, sugar-filled dunuts typical of the United States? Well, Thoma’s is the place for that. With several topping options, this small store by the sea has been in operation since 1971 and still sees queues forming at the counter. It’s also worth saving some space in your belly to try the other delicacies served there: cookies, sandwiches and muffins. Official site.
