Ian Allen writes for Travel and Leisure about his recent trip to Panama and Nicaragua.

Ian Allen always has his bags packed. This past year, he spent 11 months on the road, shooting in places as far afield as Bhutan, Brazil, and Australia—so it’s rare for him to experience something entirely new. But recently, during one of Travel + Leisure’s bookable, editor-curated trips with luxury tour operator Black Tomato, Allen experienced two firsts: dynamic Panama City and the rural, unspoiled Emerald Coast of Nicaragua. “Panama City is definitely the most modern place in Central America—you go there for the culture and nightlife,” Allen told T+L. “The Casco Viejo neighborhood, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is filled with cool bars and young people. Everyone uses WhatsApp to find out where the parties are.” Nicaragua proved to be the perfect complement, with its beaches, wildlife, and active volcanoes. “You get the sense that the countryside looks like it did centuries ago. Donkeys still pull carts on the road. Both destinations, in their own ways, are incredibly alive.”

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