re: Thoughts on Panama City, Panama?

I went in 2015, outside of Panama City there was poverty the likes of which Id never seen and I was a bit taken aback. I think I falsely thought of it as some corporate money haven and didnt think it was still Central America. We were safe but I was a bit hesitant to let a kid take my backpack in some village and take it to the small boat we were taking to an island for the day. That may be on me but felt weird.

PC itself is modern, we found a cab driver in the old town, paid him 20 dollars and he didnt leave our side, took us to canal overlook, to get ceviche, and around town for a little while. We took a boat out to one of the Pacific Islands but that was a little disappointing, trash in water, etc, but there are better options (live and learn). We hiked in the closest National Park to the city, great views of city, saw a sloth but just one, and saw a million leaf cutter ants all along the way... wont lie their highway systems were mezmorizing to watch. Best part of the hike was 1) view and 2) the leaf cutter ants.

Worth it for a decent price but keep in mind PC is on Pacific coast and mostly mud flats when tide goes out. Caribbean coast has nicer water but more poverty.