We stayed in
Panama City for a few days and I think that was enough for us. While
the city seemed nicer and safer than other Central American capitals
we have been to, it's not a budget friendly city. All the
hotels/hostels seemed either cheap and really rough or okay but not
worth the money for what you get. We stayed in the Las Vegas hotel
and paid about $85 for a double room. And while it was adequate (air
conditioning, wifi, fridge & microwave, good location), it seemed expensive compared to the rest of the country.
We went to Casco Viejo which was nice looking but seemed like a false front when you have already seen the real city. I do, however, recommend taking a cab (about $5 per person) out to Panama Viejo to
see the ruins. It's free to wander the grounds and look at the
beginnings of the city. We did not pay to get into the museum so it
was a cheap outing. Also, we went out to the Panama Canal to see
ships go through the locks. To save some money, I recommend only
paying for the observation deck. Skip the museum and 3-D movie and
watch the PBS special before you go.
While in the
city we ate some great food but it was harder to find a good, cheap
meal. Prepare to spend about $10-$20 per person on lunch or dinner
in Panama City. We ate at Beirut and Caffe Pomodoro after having had
our fill of Panamanian cuisine. Also, on average the national beers
(Atlas, Balboa, and Panama beers) were $2.50 in the capital.
