Hello,
You will see people with Ipad's etc every where and not only tourists. It should not be an issue. You will have more probably that a tourists stole your belongings than a local. Just take care of it.
The same can happen while on the beach and decide to go for a swim... what will you be doing with your cameras etc ? I have never had problems in Panama. There are plenty of WIFI in Panama so it will be useful to have it.
Best regards.
I can't speak for Panama, but Costa Rica these days even the locals are carrying the latest gadgets, so its really not an issue like it was 5 years ago, for a gringo to have something expensive, as now the local is connected to, and everyone has something...but, don't take what you can't afford to loose. It is nice as well to disconnect from these and decompress, though if you are working while traveling, or, making plans/reservations and research as you go, they are invaluable...
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Hi snowbreeze8 - after years of resistance, I'm finally convinced carrying a tablet (or something similar) is ok - and certainly from nothing theft or safety-risk related. With WiFi connect just about everywhere, internet cafes are becoming so much harder to find...no business for them if everyone is equipped with their own hand-held devices. Even in a large capital city like Managua's, good luck finding an internet café or taxi driver that knows where one is when it's easier for them to just hand you their mobile.
I realize this isn't Panamá, but for some place even as remote like Little Corn Island: WiFi was everywhere; no internet cafes, computers, and only one old beat-up tablet available for rent at a cafe. Owner apologized for the condition but said it makes no sense to replace what's no longer used or needed.
Seems everyone was glued to a tablet, phone, or something...was actually disgusting. I suppose some were reading; to each their own, but just seems like a waste of place and space. A person might as well have stayed at home when all they do is post dispatch updates on TT all day, and monitor/comment on posts like business as usual. Hell, it's enough to make people wonder if you're really even there!