Thanks for this i did not know that they use the US currency like this. That means I can see punting being very expensive for a tourist/newbie on the scene.
I don't know about punting but I actually found Panama City, for example, quite cheap for most other things compared to San Jose in Costa Rica and Managua in Nicaragua (which I know well). I guess it's like anywhere outside of the so-called First World in that prices for most things will depend on how far you are prepared to 'slum it' and how adventurous you are. Quite a few women in Central America dabble in paid sex on an amateur and opportunistic basis, but for the punter this is more time-consuming, although often more fun and surprisingly cheap, that looking for real prostitutes. If I were doing this, I would get a local sim card, exchange numbers with women with whom I strike up some rapport, and take it from there. Expect after a while (if you get anywhere) to be phoned asking for 'loans' to repair roofs, meet hospital bills of parents, etc. In which case throw away the sim card, buy another, and start all over again. Sounds as though the OP won't, however, be there long enough for any of that malarky if he's just going for a mate's wedding. Others, however, might stumble across this thread in the future.
