Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 388528 times)

Gvann · « **Reply #1240 on:** June 07, 2023, 10:07:01 PM »

Quote from: met on June 07, 2023, 04:47:46 PM

the restaurants are pricey for a family for a few days. The kosher supermarket has similar to American pricing on raw meat, deli, tuna etc?

You’d be surprised at the restaurant prices, they are really not bad at all, many dishes under or around 10 dollars. Never spent more than 50 with DW including drinks at any one place (maybe Aria was a little more). And that was just because we ordered a lot of drinks. You can get away with 20 dollars or close to it for 2 people. For a family, it could add up just cause its more people but its definitely cheaper considerably than american restaurants.

As for bringing food, everything goes into a scanner with tight monitoring. So if its there it will get caught. Not sure what they allow or not, but if its not allowed it most likely will not allow it in.

Gvann · « **Reply #1241 on:** June 07, 2023, 10:07:58 PM »

And kosher market there, is amazing both in quality and prices. Its huge and has a great selection of packaged food as well as takeout food. They even have wine and pots and everything you need in the store.

met · « **Reply #1242 on:** June 09, 2023, 02:29:34 PM »

Quote from: Gvann on June 07, 2023, 10:07:01 PM

You’d be surprised at the restaurant prices, they are really not bad at all, many dishes under or around 10 dollars. Never spent more than 50 with DW including drinks at any one place (maybe Aria was a little more). And that was just because we ordered a lot of drinks. You can get away with 20 dollars or close to it for 2 people. For a family, it could add up just cause its more people but its definitely cheaper considerably than american restaurants.

As for bringing food, everything goes into a scanner with tight monitoring. So if its there it will get caught. Not sure what they allow or not, but if its not allowed it most likely will not allow it in.

Quote from: Gvann on June 07, 2023, 10:07:58 PM

And kosher market there, is amazing both in quality and prices. Its huge and has a great selection of packaged food as well as takeout food. They even have wine and pots and everything you need in the store.

Thank you for the information. Do you have any restaurants you could recommend that are on that price point?

ez-pass · « **Reply #1243 on:** June 14, 2023, 11:30:01 AM »

I am looking to go to Panama this summer. I understand it's the rainy season. Has anyone gone in the summer and has it been worth it? Can you do all the attractions?

cgr · « **Reply #1244 on:** June 14, 2023, 11:48:12 AM »

Quote from: ez-pass on June 14, 2023, 11:30:01 AM

I am looking to go to Panama this summer. I understand it's the rainy season. Has anyone gone in the summer and has it been worth it? Can you do all the attractions?

I was there in July, we had beautiful (although hot) weather. Maybe a 5 minute rain shower every other day but didn't last longer than that and the sun made an appearance again within minutes of the rain stopping.

ez-pass · « **Reply #1245 on:** June 14, 2023, 11:57:01 AM »

Quote from: cgr on June 14, 2023, 11:48:12 AM

I was there in July, we had beautiful (although hot) weather. Maybe a 5 minute rain shower every other day but didn't last longer than that and the sun made an appearance again within minutes of the rain stopping.

Ok thanks. I am hoping I won't have to much rain..I am looking to go in July. Where did you stay and what are must do attractions?

tzifanya54 · « **Reply #1246 on:** June 17, 2023, 11:41:38 PM »

Seems that the hechsher in Panama (Shevet Ahim) is no longer on the CRC recommended list. Does anyone have any insight? I reached out to them and I will see what they respond.

met · « **Reply #1247 on:** June 18, 2023, 02:21:00 AM »

Are they strict about double buckling in panama, 8 people in a 7 seater?

Wizard · « **Reply #1248 on:** June 18, 2023, 02:36:21 AM »

Trying to book trip for July... I see United is the only non-stop flights from the NY area. Any way to check if award flights make sense? ($705 cash, 77K united points so it doesnt seem like makes sense)

Also - deciding between JW Marriott and W Panama. (The Residence Inn doesnt look good in pics) Any recommendations? Thx so much!

tzifanya54 · « **Reply #1249 on:** June 18, 2023, 10:37:53 AM »

Quote from: tzifanya54 on June 17, 2023, 11:41:38 PM

Seems that the hechsher in Panama (Shevet Ahim) is no longer on the CRC recommended list. Does anyone have any insight? I reached out to them and I will see what they respond.

ETA Its still recommended in the App. As per one of the CRC rabanonim, app is up to date, and can be relied on.

PBaruch · « **Reply #1250 on:** June 18, 2023, 10:38:51 AM »

Quote from: Wizard on June 18, 2023, 02:36:21 AM

Trying to book trip for July... I see United is the only non-stop flights from the NY area. Any way to check if award flights make sense? ($705 cash, 77K united points so it doesnt seem like makes sense)

Also - deciding between JW Marriott and W Panama. (The Residence Inn doesnt look good in pics) Any recommendations? Thx so much!

I'm not sure why you think the Residence Inn doesn't look nice but we stayed there and liked it. It's around the corner from Chabad, there is a kosher supermarket downstairs, and a few kosher places within a block away. It's also nice that it has a full kitchen and full sized refrigerator. It's in my TR if you are interested.

yawn · « **Reply #1251 on:** June 18, 2023, 11:03:38 AM »

Quote from: Wizard on June 18, 2023, 02:36:21 AM

Trying to book trip for July... I see United is the only non-stop flights from the NY area. Any way to check if award flights make sense? ($705 cash, 77K united points so it doesnt seem like makes sense)

Also - deciding between JW Marriott and W Panama. (The Residence Inn doesnt look good in pics) Any recommendations? Thx so much!

If you’d consider at stopover, Aeroplan has dates in July with 12k miles each way. Chase has a 20% transfer bonus so ewr-bos-pty on United sets you back 10k chase points and about $60. Fees are more expensive on the way back.

met · « **Reply #1252 on:** June 18, 2023, 05:06:37 PM »

Can anyone who’s rented a car tell me if there is a secondary insurance they make you pay for at the time of pick up? or is the price I’m seeing online the actual price?

tzifanya54 · « **Reply #1253 on:** June 18, 2023, 06:15:57 PM »

Quote from: met on June 18, 2023, 05:06:37 PM

Can anyone who’s rented a car tell me if there is a secondary insurance they make you pay for at the time of pick up? or is the price I’m seeing online the actual price?

Seems that it’s additional. Not personal experience though.

yochai · « **Reply #1254 on:** June 18, 2023, 08:44:15 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on June 18, 2023, 10:38:51 AM

I'm not sure why you think the Residence Inn doesn't look nice but we stayed there and liked it. It's around the corner from Chabad, there is a kosher supermarket downstairs, and a few kosher places within a block away. It's also nice that it has a full kitchen and full sized refrigerator. It's in my TR if you are interested.

I second that.
We had a great experience there.

ez-pass · « **Reply #1255 on:** June 21, 2023, 09:52:13 AM »

Did anyone use barefoot Panama as their tour guides? How is their experience? I'm looking to go to monkey Island and the Indian village. In addition, did anyone go to the Anton valley and which tour guides did they use?

Lou Bob · « **Reply #1256 on:** June 21, 2023, 10:02:07 AM »

Quote from: ez-pass on June 21, 2023, 09:52:13 AM

Did anyone use barefoot Panama as their tour guides? How is their experience? I'm looking to go to monkey Island and the Indian village. In addition, did anyone go to the Anton valley and which tour guides did they use?

I used Barefoot Panama. Had a great experience with them on the monkey island/Indian village tour. I'm sure it depends on the tour guide, but ours was great.

elimmm · « **Reply #1257 on:** July 04, 2023, 08:49:26 PM »

on a stopover, how much time do i need to leave airport to eat in kosher neighborhood and come back thru passport control etc

Agoldsc1 · « **Reply #1258 on:** July 09, 2023, 04:36:43 PM »

Can anybody speak to the gluten free options in Panama? Potentially traveling with a child who has Crohn’s and Celiac, so it has to really be gluten free. I see online that there is one vegetarian restaurant which would work. Does anyone remember seeing gluten free options in other restaurants? Thanks!

Gvann · « **Reply #1259 on:** July 09, 2023, 04:43:15 PM »

Quote from: met on June 18, 2023, 05:06:37 PM

Can anyone who’s rented a car tell me if there is a secondary insurance they make you pay for at the time of pick up? or is the price I’m seeing online the actual price?

On another note, not sure if you have specific plans with your rental car or not, but ubers cost 2 dollars in the city, so if you’re not planning on driving to distant places (i don’t think most people do) it is probably much more worth it to uber (which is what most people do) just a heads up but maybe you have specific plans.

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Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 388528 times)