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By all means, give Belize a hard look. If you like it, you like it -- no problem here.

If you want to look at Panama, decide one thing first, to wit, the type of climate you prefer. Might surprise you, but there are at least 3, likely 4, different climes here. Sure, all warmer on average than most of the US, but humidity and wind and avg rainfall come into play very importantly.

Much of Panama is plains, and very warm. There is an area known as arco seco (dry arch) that is, well, very dry and very warm but mostly smack on the Pacific. There is all the "rain forest" (what a bogus term) you like. Ciudad Panama is at sea level, hot and humid (but is very first world regarding habitation temps, lots of fans and very good A/C if that's your desire). Then, there's the MMFJ (miles and miles of f***ing jungle) that constitute Darien province. The jungle is SO THICK there that that province constitutes the ONLY area on the Pan-American highway that COULD NOT be completed, thus the only interruption in that road, which extends from Alaska to the south of Chile (think about that, eh!)

Second thing to think about when coming to Panama is the various amounts and types of social activities you like. Ciudad Panama has ALL OF THE ABOVE (and quite a few the tourist books won't tell you about, too). Festivals of all kinds (and the usually associated holidays) are everywhere in Panama, and very frequent (hell's bells, I can't even figure out which days the schools are in session; THAT'S how frequent they are).

If you prefer a quieter life, which I do, check out a fishing village or two, or check out a small town called Santa Fe de Veraguas. If you REALLY want to get off the radar, have a look at Potrelillos or Volcan or Cerro Punta (Chiriqui province), anywhere in San Blas province, perhaps Margarita or La Mesa in Cocle province.

Or, you can seek out towns with a modest or larger communidad de expatriados: Ciudad Panama, of course, David (capital of Chiriqui province (and a town I will vouch for), Playa Coronado (bring money!), Bocas del Toro (capital of the province of the same name), or even my small town.

In general, you can pretty much deal your own cards here. More information if you wish it.

Best to you, and FReegards!