Few people put Panama on their list of places to travel during the winter, but it not only offers an ideal destination for warm weather and sunshine but accommodations that run only around $40 a night. It will cost you a bit more to get there due to the lesser demand, but unlike high-traffic destinations such as Cancun, once you get there it’s not only a lot more economical, it’s less likely to be overrun with tourists. Bocas del Toro, situated on the northwestern Caribbean coast, is an archipelago of nine tropical islands where you’ll find some of the best scuba diving and surf breaks in the country. The orange-tiled roofs and Spanish colonial architecture of old town Panama City offer a striking contrast to the skyscraper skyline across the bay, and in Casco Viejo, after dark music pours onto the street from every alley and corner. By day, you’ll find this area ideal for sipping coffee at Plaza Bolivar, browsing the markets and watching the sun set from just above Plaza Francia.