If you do spend some time in Panama City, I do recommend La Estancia; lovely location, nice place, suger people. I went to Panama mainly for the canal transit, although I know there's much more on offer, but my time was limited, of course. My trip report is here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35029544

I really enjoyed Isla Taboga for wandering, and the Old City section is quite picturesque...and there's nothing quite like the Canal, of course!

If you do spend some time in Panama City, I do recommend La Estancia; lovely location, nice place, super people. I went to Panama mainly for the canal transit, although I know there's much more on offer, but my time was limited, of course. My trip report is here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35029544

I really enjoyed Isla Taboga for wandering, and the Old City section is quite picturesque...and there's nothing quite like the Canal, of course!

thanks faithie - where did you stay?

Amy - I loved your report - I've been thinking that I may spend a few nights in Pan. City to see the canal. The B+B rec. looks good.
I hope your still blissed out from your trip.

Thank you! I have to say that the blissed out part has pretty much been swallowed by work, but I did have a dream the other night that I was in the Amazon...I soooooo didn't want to get up that morning!

We, took, liked La Estancia.

Definitely wouldn't suggest a rental car in and around the city. Outside of that, we were glad to have one. In town, we gave up and parked it, asked the rental people to come get it, and relied on taxis!

Bocas didn't seem like party central to us (perhaps we retired too early each evening!). Just very laid back and casual. We enjoyed every single one of our 4 nights there, and could've used another one--just to get in the little day things we wanted to do.