I was very disappointed with PC--taxi ripoffs, prices, hotels, etc. The Canal at Miraflores Locks was excellent--great visitor center for decent fee, but again, taxi's were $$$.

I have friends who will not stay in PC but go places like Boquette etc. They did most fp hteir research thru tripadvisor.com
We chose to transit in/out of PC for Brazil trip--I personally have no interest in going back except maybe on a cruise ship to do the entire Canal trip...that's just my opinion based on a 3 nights total stay.

I was recently persuaded by Guamgirl's article on Guatemala and I am going there next week. Good luck!