Thoughts on visiting Panama?

[The Notorious PhD]

A couple of friends are planning a trip (~10 days) to Panama this summer and invited me to come along.

Given that I have a budget constraint for how much traveling I can do in a given year, would any of you who've been there recommend visiting?

My opportunity cost is potentially a trip to Colombia or Brazil next year, that I'd likely plan on my own and use the money I would've saved from not going on this trip.

So, my question to the wanderlusters on here is: is Panama worth a visit? And if so, any particular high-points to hit?

Part of the reason I'd like to go is that I haven't done much international traveling at all in my life, and this would be an opportunity to do so with a few good friends.

Thanks!

[Mark]

Panama is nice, but Colombia and Brazil are much better in my opinion.

If you've never been abroad before, Panama is a pretty easy jump culture-wise. Historically, it was heavily influenced by the US, and so it feels the most "Americanized" of any Latin country that I've been to. Panama City is cool with good nightlife. The beaches are nice. Fair amount of people speak English. You'd have fun. Don't think it'd blow your mind though.

Colombia and Brazil, on the other hand, would be larger culture shocks, but much more interesting and fun. Both are two of my five favorite countries in the world. Can't say the same for Panama.

[Traindom]

What are the other three, if you don't mind me asking? Am I right in guessing the U.S. as one of them?

[Mark]

Wrong. Don't really enjoy spending much time in the US anymore (save for NYC).

In random order:
----
Brazil
Colombia
Russia
Australia
Thailand

[Traindom]

Cool. I've been to two of those so far! I haven't been as thorough as you have though. I've seen your writings about all of those except Australia. Was Australia a pretty far back visit in your traveling?

[Mark]

Late 2010. Was there for three weeks. I think I'm a little biased towards it because one of my favorite girls in the world (literally) is in Sydney. But out of all of the English-speaking countries, it's my favorite and the one I'd be most likely to settle down in.

[Tim]

Sydney is awesome. One of the most accessible big cities in the world, with great weather and astounding amounts of hot people. Melbourne is also awesome, but doesn't have the same big city feel and it's probably much cooler to live in than visit.

As a Kiwi it's hard to admit but Aus is actually pretty great. NZ would be better if we had bigger cities, but we don't and for me that's a dealbreaker.

[Mark]

NZ is pretty incredible, but more because of the nature. NZ is the kind of place you want to retire and enjoy yourself. AUS is the kind of place you go to party and have adventures.

[The Notorious PhD]

Thanks for your input Mark!

Haven't yet decided whether I'll go or not - waiting for their plans to firm-up and see what exactly we might do there.