Spring Break in Panama City – A Popular Destination
If you’re thinking about going to Florida’s Panama City Beach for spring break, then you’re not alone! Panama City is the number one spring break destination in the U.S., and the number three spot for spring breakers in the world.
What makes Panama City, Florida, such a great place for spring break? It’s got a world-famous beach, world-famous clubs, and enough activities to keep you busy throughout all of the years you spend in college.
Getting to Panama City:
If you’re flying, you have your choice of three airports serving Panama City and Northwest Florida. Panama City Regional Airport is the closest, and you can catch flights in on Delta or Northwest. Pensacola Regional Airport is another choice, as is Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport.
If you’re driving to Panama City, you’ll want to find your way to I-10, probably from I-85. Follow signs for about the next 100 miles, and you’re there!
Lodging in Panama City:
Like any great beach town, there are tons of places to stay in Panama City Beach. Stay cheap, at the Quality Inn or Best Value Inn, or choose swankier accommodations at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort or the Sand Piper Beacon Beach Resort. There are also hundreds of condos and beach houses you can find, some of which are even close to the spring break action.
Clubbing in Panama City:
If you’re looking for a spring break destination that never sleeps, then Panama City is definitely the place to be. From Spinnakers to Lavella to all of the smaller clubs surrounding them, Panama City is the place to be for dancing, live music, and great bars.
Things to do in Panama City:
Panama City is a place where you can find a huge variety of spring break activities, beyond working on your tan or partying at the clubs. Spring breakers can take a motorboat ride through the swamps, can watch the dolphins at Shell Island, bet on Greyhounds at Erbo Racetrack, or express their wild side at Bungee Mania.
Safety in Panama City:
Remember that Panama City is a US beach, which means that the drinking age is 21. Clubs will let you in as long as you’re 18, but the bartenders are really great at spotting fake IDs. The judicial system in Panama City even has a special court for spring breakers who commit misdemeanors–if you’re caught, you have to pay a hefty fine or spend a day doing community service.
Weather in Panama City:
Panama City isn’t the tropics, but it’s close. The temperatures usually average between 70 and 80 degrees, but cold winds do blow during spring break. Bring a sweatshirt for early morning walks on the beach, and make sure to plan some activities that don’t involve a bikini, in case there’s a cold snap while you’re there. Wear your sunscreen while you’re there, though–the somewhat cooler temperatures make it easy to forget that the sun shines brightly on these sugary beaches!
For the quintessential spring break experience, there is no US destination as perfect as Panama City, Florida. It should definitely be high on your list of places to consider as you plan this year’s trip!
