Thoughts on visiting Panama?

[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.