I'm posting a similar query in the Caribbean section too, hope that's not considered a TOS violation...

Anyways, my girlfriend and I are considering a vacation in early march for five or six days and are looking at the Caribbean or Central America. For Central America I was thinking either Panama City or Belize City. We are not resort people, but would like access to nice beaches. What I really want is a destination where we can get out and explore, find good food, some decent shopping, lively (but not too lively) nightlife and feel safe just walking around the area. While we do like cosmopolitan cities we're fine with a more sleepy feeling destination as long as we're not confined to a resort due to safety/lack of other activity concerns. We don't need a Four Seasons, but we're not particularly rugged travelers and any "nature" destinations would be a day trip if at all (I'm probably voting to skip...).

What would PTY or BZE be like and what would we be able/unable to do in each? We also like casinos, which I understand PTY has plenty of.

I also know next to nothing about Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras or Guatemala so would appreciate any suggestions people have for destinations there as well.

Finally, we prefer to avoid "tourist traps," believing that there's a balance between places that aren't really fit for visiting and those overrun by other tourists. While we're both American tourists neither of us particularly behaves/looks the part but we're not interested in always worrying if we're about to be held up, etc...

Any and all suggestions appreciated!