You'll find the cosmopolitan side of Central America in Panama, where you might want to switch out those flip flops for something a little more stylish.  Panama City has the Old Quarter mixed with modern sleek skyscrapers and within 2 hours of the city you can find tropical jungles, historical ruins, Pacific beaches, and of course, the famed Panama Canal.

Eco-tourists will love staying around and visiting the Soberania National Park, where you can hike the Pipeline road and see over 500 species of birds. Families will love the butterfly farm, the Summit Gardens and Zoo and the beautiful beaches of Playa Bonita and Playa Blanca. These beaches are located on the Pacific side of the country, about 2 hours from the airport and offer beautiful white sands, seclusion and relaxation.

This area enjoys highs in the high-80s and low 90's throughout the year and you can find the best values for travel during the June - November rainy season.

Panama's currency, the balboa, was minted in the US so if you have any spare change from your vacation, you can throw it in your parking meters in the US!