Quickie Trip Report
I'm just back from 4 nights in Panama, courtesy of the (since expired) IHG PointsBreak discount for the Crowne Plaza.
Brief comments:
1. Taxi from airport to downtown is $30 USD, the reverse is $32.50.
2. Taxi from downtown hotel to Gamboa resort is $35 each way.
3. My travel buddy and I took the Hop On / Hop Off bus tour. The Red Line stops at several interesting locations, including the Casco Antiguo and Miraflores locks. The Blue Line didn't have much to interest us. One ticket is good for both.
4. We started every in-town taxi price negotiation at $5, and rarely had to go much higher.
5. There are several good hiking trails in the Metropolitan Park.
6. We paid ~$90 total per person for two tours at Gamboa. The first was a small-boat ride on the canal to see monkeys, the second was a canopy aerial tram tour. Worthwhile.
7. My buddy saw one mosquito in the 4 days, I saw none. We purchased DEET repellent but never used it.
8. All transactions were either credit card or US currency.
The trip was fun, the weather was dry and very warm, 4 nights seemed about right.