Panama is best known for its top attraction: the Panama Canal. But there’s much more to this Central American country.

The nation of nearly 4 million people offers something for everyone. It features islands, mountains, jungles and a bustling metropolis - the capital, Panama City. About a third of the country’s population lives there.

Panama City has a South Beach vibe. It has world-class shopping, dining and a vibrant nightlife. At night, a sparkling skyline lights up the Pacific coast. Sunrise reveals a city growing in a hurry. Panama has experienced a construction boom in the last decade. It’s the result of a thriving economy driven by the Panama Canal and boosted by foreign investment.

Experts say the country has come a long way since the days of ousted dictator Manuel Noriega.

"It is generally nowadays quite comparable to Costa Rica in terms of its crime statistics, in terms of its political stability and therefore, it's doing very well by Central American standards," said USF St. Petersburg Assistant Professor of Politics Luis Montilla.

Casco Viejo is a popular tourist destination. The Panama City neighborhood is a World Heritage Site. It is rich in Spanish and South American influences. Street musicians and local artisans line the quarter’s brick streets and showcase Panama’s colorful traditions. This part of town offers a window to the country’s 500-year-old history.

Another well-known spot is the city’s seafood market. It’s a fitting attraction for a country whose name is believed to mean “abundance of fish.” But nowhere will you find a bigger variety of fresh catch than in Panama’s more than 1,500 miles of Caribbean and Pacific coastline.

Panama’s beaches are another major draw for tourists. So are the lush rainforests, which are home to the country’s indigenous people and diverse wildlife.

"That’s what Panama is. It’s about nature…loving the earth,” said resident Mary Thompson Snavely.

The World Bank’s latest figures show 1.6 million tourists visited Panama in 2012. With direct flights from Tampa and Orlando, it’s even easier for Floridians to join that group.