Paradise in Panama
Panama city
Although I hadn’t sough out a trip to Panama I am a fan of Google explore, where you can see flight prices from your city to other locations, that is how I came across a direct flight to Panama City , and the price was right! I am very happy I decided to go, I would suggest breaking up your trip if you go in order to have time to experience the city and the islands of Boca Del Toro. 3 nights in Panama City and 3 nights in Boca is ideal but that can be broken down or added depending on your schedule. I stayed at the RIU in Panama City but spent a lot of time in Casco Viejo, so perhaps if I went back I would just stay in Casco, but there is Uber and it is very cheap, less than $5 for most rides. The town of Casco is very cute and has a lot of fun shops, restaurants and night life. CascoCasco, pictured below had a great vibe and beautiful view, especially at sunset, I also really enjoyed Lazotea, they had fun entertainment and great music! There were some fun places in walking distance from our hotel as well, closer to the Hilton, I do not recall the name of the rooftop Restaurant that we ate at but but the view was great and the food was excellent, we then wondered in that area and found another fun place that had hookah and good dance music. 
Roof top casco viejo
Star Fish island
Now on to Boca del toror
The flight to Boca almost makes the trip worth it, in and of itself, how cool it was to fly on a vintage plane, and out of the small local airport, its almost like your flying private the process is so fast and easy! You don't need to arrive more than 30min before your flight and there is no security hassles, you basically get to the airport and walk out to board your flight! Once we arrived in Boca the hotel was only a short walk from the airport so yes we rolled our suitcase right on down the street to the hotel! There are many beautiful beaches in that area, we visited Star Fish, Red Frog and Polo, the best way to get to these beaches is via the water taxi, we had paid for a small private boat one day and it was not worth it, just use the water taxi it is much more affordable and you can catch it from many of the hotels in the area. I would definitely go back to Panama the prices were very reasonable and the beaches in Boca were as good as any, better than most in Mexico! 