You're posts are awesome, and they have me totally excited! Thanks alot, I'm a complete Panama noob but, I have gone to Mexico for the past two years(ACA and CUN) for Spring Break, so I am not a novice SBer! I just had a few questions, before I book my trip to Panama...

Is it a real disadvantage to stay at the smaller hotels/resorts? After researching I noticed that most forum members listed Boardwalk and Summit as their favorite places. If you aren't staying at these hotels will you be allowed in their parties? When I was in Acapulco and Cancun they were very strict about letting outsiders into pool parties and events....but being at the pool during the day was the place to be. Is it worth shelling out the extra cash to stay at these places?

What is the cheapest way to book a hotel? Especially Summit or Boardwalk, I used Orbitz and found them for around 160 a night, is there a cheaper way?(I did like another user said and went directly to the hotels website but, it was actually more expensive)

Is it worth it to buy a party pass? I saw the Panamaniac Card but, I was not too impressed. No offense to anyone that sells it. For those who have had it, is it worth it?

What's the police presence like? Are the cops harsh?

Finally, I noticed that there was a bar crawl, party boat, and some other events...which ones are the best ones to do? Is their like one unifying event that everyone does?(i.e. in Cancun it was the booze cruise, and in Acapulco it was seeing the Devil)