Panama City Beach Travel Guide

Welcome to "The Worlds Most Beautiful Beaches" Panama City Beach is a popular tourist destination in the Florida Panhandle and is located in Bay County Florida. While the town itself has only about 8,000 full time residents, over six million people a year flock to the sugar white sand and emerald waters of Panama City Beach. It is well known that the area is hugely popular for spring breakers, but it is also a top destination for "Snow Birds", retired people that come from Canada and the northern United States and stay throughout the winter to avoid the harsh winters. The "Snow Birds" are a major lifeline for the area as they continue to provide tourism dollars during the off-season. No matter what you enjoy, Panama City Beach is at no loss for entertainment. Miniature golf courses, museums, restaurants, amusement parks, and shopping are available at almost every turn. If you are looking to relax, stroll down to the pool (most hotels in town have their own) or head down and soak up the sun on the pristine, sugar white sand beaches. The water temperature is warm from late February through November and watersports are a major draw for thrill seekers. The nightlife scene is vibrant and diverse. You will have no problem finding a small quiet bar if that is your thing and the world's largest nightclub also resides in Panama City Beach. Most restaurants also have outdoor dining options that are almost always accompanied by live music. Panama City Beach is also an excellent value vacation spot. Of course there are high rise condos and upscale lodging, but there are plenty of places that you can stay that allow you to spend your hard earned money on having fun and not on a place to stay. There are many hidden gems amongst the lesser known hotels and motels and with very little effort you can find a place that is clean, comfortable, and affordable. The peak visit times are from February-September. Spring breakers start the season and are soon followed by "Thunder Beach" a motorcycle rally that takes place in the spring and again in the fall. Most of the time, the beach is filled with families looking for a relaxing break from the daily grind. The summer holidays are the busiest time outside of spring break and room rates definitely reflect that. If you are looking to visit on a budget and avoid the crowd, September and October are your best bets. Room rates have typically gone down by then and all of the restaurants and attractions are still open and less crowded. The water temperature is still warm so you get to enjoy the last bit of summer. Panama City Beach is a fantastic place to visit. With the attractions, scenery, and laid back atmosphere, it is easy to see why so many people fall in love with the area. Come down and check out the beach and enjoy yourself. The only difficulty you will find is trying to fit everything in on one visit.

Where to Go in Panama City Beach