I have spent several years in Central America, pretty much each country. They all have something interesting and they all have their dangers.
Antigua is a great place to be, especially if you are taking Spanish lessons. This is a must. Antigua is also a major back packer destination so you are going to learn a lot from other travelers about where to go. One thing I can say on a trip like you are taking is to keep your options open, you may change the course of your vacation from a simple conversation with a stranger. One minute you are headed one place, the next minute some place else.
I don't recall doing much of anything in El Salvador but I am sure there is stuff to do. I was there for mostly business and did not do much exploring.
Honduras has some hidden treasures but can be a little 'too much' for traveling. Lots of guns, so if you don't mind then go for it. There are some ruins (Copan) that I got a chance to explore before much of the area was developed. Driving can be very dangerous...there are buses to take to get around.
Nicaragua I know inside out, but I have not been there in about ten years. Not sure what it is like to travel there right now, but there are places to go. Many of the small towns have museums and things like that to show some cool stuff. The pacific side has a great resort (forget it's name at the moment) that cost about 30 bucks a day. Pretty sweet deal. You start getting into some desolate dangerous places once you hit Nicaragua. That is not to say the people are bad, just the roads are. A wrong turn and a pothole can destroy your car stranding you nowhere...a few mosquitoes and large reptiles can destroy your day fast.
Costa Rica is where I would go and spend my time. There is a whole country to visit, you really don't need our advice. Simply get there, go to a hostel and start doing your thing.
Panama also has a more cosmo feel to it, lots of big buildings and clubs. The country allows the construction of massive buildings because there are some Spanish ruins that are hundreds of years old, so they figure if those stand why can't a tall skyscraper? You can come to Panama city to shop and party, yet it won't have the feel of a little Costa Rican town like Jaco (where I used to frequent). If you choose to go to Panama, you will probably fly or bus to assorted places, Costa Rica is more set up to travel around. Do not rent a car in any of the countries, in my opinion.
If you want some real details, PM me or respond in the thread. Like others have suggested, grab a lonely planet and go for it. Make sure to understand the currency before you spend it, I had many bad credit card charges where someone tried to steal.
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