Topic Wiki

List of TR's:
Denverite
saw50st8
dvol
dvol Pictures
zow
CGR, CGR #2
itreu001
TripsPls
davidrotts63
yuneeq Contadora (Pearl Islands)
Something Fishy (Cuba)
Something Fishy (Honduras)
Ponash123
PBaruch
Moishes 2/5/24 Panama Extended Weekend
Yonahs Trip
APS
sam1297



Kosher Food/ Restaurants:
Places to Eat:
Aria
Aroma Café
Darna Dairy/Bakery
Kava
Jeffrey’s Bakery
Pita Pan
Pita Plus
Lula by Darna
Metsuyan
Hilel Sports Bar and Grill- Closed
Darna
La Spezia
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (including 2 at PTY)
Dr. Sandwich
Prime Grill
Forever yogurt in casco viejo- Chalav Yisroel ice cream - Closed down
NEW - Jerusalem Israeli Cuisine by Chabad in Casco Viejo

Supermarkets:
Check out all items on their websites, huge variety including lots of what you're used to at home
Superkosher https://www.skosher.com/
Supermacardo Deli K https://www.delimarket.net/


Cholov Yisroel:
If you go onto Kosher Panama Website you can search for Cholov Yisroel by entering Jalav Israel in the search, just be aware if the site lists Jalav Israel and Lacteo in the description, the establishment may have both CY and non-CY so be aware and double check with the staff.
SuperKosher also had a nice selection of CY breakfast/snack/frozen items available.

There is a local chalav yisroel that isn't up to everyone's standards. It isn't up to Chabad as they use a lower kasherimg temperature than the alter rebbe holds.
This is what local chabad down there told me. Don't hold me to any of it please.


Synagogue:

The Jewish community in Panama is mainly in Panama City in the Punta Paitilla area.
You must bring your passport with you to enter the shuls. You can bring your passport over during the week if you are not staying in the eruv. They will make a copy of your passport.

Sinagoga Beth El – Orthodox, Ashkenazi. After Shabbat morning services, they have a full sit down Kiddush lunch.
They also serve breakfast after weekday shacharit.
Contact Asistente al Rabino secretaria@centrobethel.com - Déborah Wizel

Shevet Ahim – Sephardic. proper attire required, denied entry for shorts.

Ahavat Sion –

Chabad -  bracha Karniel goldberg  brachagold@gmail.com

Things to Do:
Panama Canal
Amador Causeway
Old City
$30 cabbie for all day
Panama John on FT cab and tour guide
San Blas islands
En Valle Market
Casco Viejo
Barefoot Panama tour company
Boquete
Biosphere
Miraflores Locks
Ancon Hill (tallest point in the City)
Anton Valley (hiking, waterfalls, horseback riding)
Panama Viejo
MultiPlaza (high-end mall)
Parque Natural Metropolitano
Partial canal transit
Monkey Island boat tour
Rainforest Gondola tour
Contadora (Pearl Islands) - whale watching, snorkeling/scuba on Chipera, Mogu Mogu, https://pearlislandsdaytours.com/
Rainbow bass fishing
Ziplining
Rent bikes along the water
Rainforest
Beach- Santa Clara and punta palmar both 1.5+ hours from Panama City
Indigenous tribes
Coffee plantations in the mountains
Whale watching
City tour (includes animals)
Chargres River Tour, hike to waterfall, visit Embrera Indian Village
Hiking Portabello road
Natural Metropolitan Park
www.therealpanamatours.com
Almiza Tours/ My friend mario http://www.bscpma.com/mfm/aboutus.htm (Website not working!)
Colon
Bocas del Toro
Old city/Casco viejo

Hotels:
Eshel Suites: https://eshel-suites-panama.panama-city-hotels.com/en/
others


Getting Around:
Uber is the best way to get around, cheap and reliable (if you go to the rainforest, there might not be any cars available going back, search before)

Notes:


Please Update the Wiki
« Last edited by Alexsei on Yesterday at 11:33:22 PM »

Author Topic: Panama Master Thread  (Read 372130 times)

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #120 on: March 15, 2017, 12:24:08 PM »
We booked the Panama Marriott on pointsavers for 5 days for a total of 40,000 points, but now I'm wondering if would be better to spend a few more points and end up in the eruv.

Did you check out the Sortis hotel?  It is brand new and only a Tier 4.  You'll have to check but I'd think it's in the eruv.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #121 on: March 15, 2017, 12:28:48 PM »
This is the Kava restaurant inside the Sortis and literally a block from other great restaurants and an ashkenaz shul.




They have high end dairy and sushi (but still the cost of a normal US restaurant)...we had some of the best crepes I've ever had.




Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #122 on: March 15, 2017, 01:34:59 PM »
Did you check out the Sortis hotel?  It is brand new and only a Tier 4.  You'll have to check but I'd think it's in the eruv.

It's 15,000 points more for our stay. I need to decide if it's worth that. The Marriott is super cheap.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #123 on: March 15, 2017, 01:57:15 PM »
It's 15,000 points more for our stay. I need to decide if it's worth that. The Marriott is super cheap.

How many points is the Marriott? 

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #124 on: March 15, 2017, 01:59:33 PM »

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #125 on: March 15, 2017, 02:31:32 PM »
How many points is the Marriott?

It was super saver when I booked it - 5 nights for 40,000 points total.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #126 on: March 15, 2017, 02:33:29 PM »
It was super saver when I booked it - 5 nights for 40,000 points total.

Panama city is very compact...all your ubers should be $2-3 so really it's just a question of whether 15k Marriott points are worth your hassle on Shabbos?  Does that help you decide?

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #127 on: March 16, 2017, 07:22:55 AM »
Panama city is very compact...all your ubers should be $2-3 so really it's just a question of whether 15k Marriott points are worth your hassle on Shabbos?  Does that help you decide?

Yes, I'll stick with what we have. We are two adults (traveling without our kids) so I can deal with the hassle.

Offline Cw3323

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #128 on: April 28, 2017, 01:07:31 AM »
How is the weather in may ?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #129 on: April 28, 2017, 09:54:04 AM »
How is the weather in may ?

I think it is just beginning rainy season...

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #130 on: May 30, 2017, 12:03:58 PM »
How is the weather in may ?

I just came back from Panama. It's the beginning of rainy season which means it rains a little bit every day. Most days that meant 3-4 am. Even when it did rain, it was just for a few minutes (on the Panama City side). The general rule of thumb per Panamanians is that whatever the rain is on the Pacific side, it is twice on the Caribbean side.

It was a great time to visit because it's not busy or crowded and you can get good deals on flights and hotels since it is lower season. Apparently October/November time is really rainy and floods.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #131 on: June 06, 2017, 11:21:58 AM »
What's the best way of getting from the airport to Pita Plus and back? Taxi? Uber?

Layover is 3:42.
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Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #132 on: June 06, 2017, 12:49:47 PM »
What's the best way of getting from the airport to Pita Plus and back? Taxi? Uber?

Layover is 3:42.

I'd personally cab it from the airport as you can hop in with zero wait and then Uber back.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #133 on: June 06, 2017, 12:50:37 PM »
I'd personally cab it from the airport as you can hop in with zero wait and then Uber back.

Sounds like a plan. Do you know how much I can expect to pay for these?
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Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #134 on: June 06, 2017, 12:52:29 PM »
Sounds like a plan. Do you know how much I can expect to pay for these?

Since I'm in a good mood I checked on Uber and it's $25  :P

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #135 on: June 06, 2017, 12:53:00 PM »
Since I'm in a good mood I checked on Uber and it's $25  :P

ALOL, thanks.
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Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #136 on: June 06, 2017, 02:24:22 PM »
You are going to go from the airport just for Pita Plus?? Their food is good but its standard Israeli food. Why not pick something a little more exotic?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #137 on: June 06, 2017, 02:49:34 PM »
You are going to go from the airport just for Pita Plus?? Their food is good but its standard Israeli food. Why not pick something a little more exotic?

Their food is some of the best I have ever tasted. I'm interested in good, simple food, not exotic.

Their burger is the best I've ever had.
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Offline whYME

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #138 on: June 06, 2017, 02:53:18 PM »
Their burger is the best I've ever had.
Keep in mind that your opinion of the burger may have been skewed slightly by a week of eating PB wraps :)

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #139 on: June 06, 2017, 03:12:10 PM »
Keep in mind that your opinion of the burger may have been skewed slightly by a week of eating PB wraps :)

That's likely to happen this time too :-X. There's a significant possibility that all our food will be taken away when we get to Honduras.
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