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:
Superkosher
Supermacardo Deli K


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 Sam1297 on October 29, 2024, 06:54:19 PM »

Author Topic: Panama Master Thread  (Read 361185 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1280 on: December 13, 2023, 11:20:16 AM »
I would definitely not take a 3 and 6 yr old on ancon Hill.
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Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1281 on: December 18, 2023, 02:06:49 PM »
We are heading to Panama for Yeshiva week and I had a couple of quetions.

Looking for recommendations for shabbas meals. I saw Beth El and Chabad do meals on Gokosherpanama. Any experiences with them?

Is the hike at Ancon Hill too hard for young kids to do (3 and 6 year old)?

I was at Bet El for Shabbos day meal, food was good & meal went by pretty fast,
word is that food is better at Bet El but atmosphere is better at Chabad


I went up Ancon Hill with that age kids, load up on Deet & take a stroller

Offline Redbull3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1282 on: December 20, 2023, 09:04:18 AM »
Thoughts on this potential itin (with a three-month old):

Monday Night
Dinner = Blame Kiki

Tuesday
Breakfast: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Activities: Miraflores Locks
Lunch: Lula
Activities: Amador Causeway (family bikes, ice cream, Smithsonian research center) and Old city (casco Viejo)
Dinner: Aria

Wednesday
Breakfast: Jeffrey's
Activities: Contadora Island
Dinner: Kava

Thursday
Breakfast: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Activities: Massages in the AM
Lunch: Yoss Burger
Activities: Ancon Hill

(As planned, skipping Monkey Island because 1) we've been to monkey forest in Bali, and 2) will have three-month old with us (and not older kids.)
Not sure if u already went by now but imo jeffrey's is very skippable. The rest of your food choices are all on point. Lula's was just ok, but the area was very cool to walk/explore before or after you eat so that adds to it

Offline Mareh Makom

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1283 on: December 21, 2023, 02:39:58 AM »
Thoughts on this potential itin (with a three-month old):

Monday Night
Dinner = Blame Kiki

Tuesday
Breakfast: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Activities: Miraflores Locks
Lunch: Lula
Activities: Amador Causeway (family bikes, ice cream, Smithsonian research center) and Old city (casco Viejo)
Dinner: Aria

Wednesday
Breakfast: Jeffrey's
Activities: Contadora Island
Dinner: Kava

Thursday
Breakfast: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Activities: Massages in the AM
Lunch: Yoss Burger
Activities: Ancon Hill

(As planned, skipping Monkey Island because 1) we've been to monkey forest in Bali, and 2) will have three-month old with us (and not older kids.)
I would definitely skip ancon hill, its literally a walk up a hill with a sub par view. Yes i diid see a sloth and toucans, but nunu. Monkey island was hands down the best activity we did in panama. The locks are mamash nothing to see, but you gotta go once your there just because your there.
     

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1284 on: December 21, 2023, 11:11:10 AM »
Not sure if u already went by now but imo jeffrey's is very skippable. The rest of your food choices are all on point. Lula's was just ok, but the area was very cool to walk/explore before or after you eat so that adds to it
Agree on both.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1285 on: December 21, 2023, 11:13:18 AM »
Jeffreys opens early and is a good place to grab breakfast or some pastries before you run out for the day. 
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Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1286 on: December 21, 2023, 06:03:17 PM »
Jeffreys opens early and is a good place to grab breakfast or some pastries before you run out for the day.
Yes, but i feel like it been a bit overhyped in this thread. I tasted most of their menu that was cholov yisroel, and while all very good, nothing stood out as exceptional. Maybe its the non CY items that are.

Offline Ysturmwind

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1287 on: December 25, 2023, 10:37:06 PM »
I was at Bet El for Shabbos day meal, food was good & meal went by pretty fast,
word is that food is better at Bet El but atmosphere is better at Chabad


I went up Ancon Hill with that age kids, load up on Deet & take a stroller

Appreciate both your and AJK's insights. Is Ancon Hill mostly a walking path that you can push a stroller up?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1288 on: January 03, 2024, 01:37:08 PM »
Appreciate both your and AJK's insights. Is Ancon Hill mostly a walking path that you can push a stroller up?
Yes, Its a paved road but very steep

Offline AJK

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1289 on: January 03, 2024, 02:02:14 PM »
This is what we ended up doing:

Monday Night:
Dinner: Blame Kiki (Service/Drinks/Dessert = excellent)
Night = W Panama in Marvelous Suite

Tuesday:
Late start
Lunch = Kava (ceviche, nagiri, and pistachio calzone dessert = 10)
Walk around Old City (skippable)
Massages at W
Rented Polaris ATV and drove Amador Causeway and Panama Sign (must do for pic)
Dinner = Aria (rissotto/drinks/churros/crispy sushi, aria ribeye = 10)
Night = Waldorf in CONDO STE OCEAN VIEW - 1BEDROOM -1KING BED

Wednesday:
Shachris at Beth El (need to pass security check days in advance, cannot just show up)
Pickup brekkie at Coffee Bean
Tour: Monkey Island, Gamboa, Miraflores Locks (there's Coffee Bean there). We very much enjoyed Monkey Island and Miraflores. Found the IMAX with Morgan Freeman to be excellnet.
Dinner: Yoss Burger (excellent; best chicken sammie ever)

Thursday:
Shachris at Beth El
Hike up Ancon Hill, can bring stroller as it's paved (we did), but it's very steep
Massages at Waldorf
Order in from Kava
Fly Home in Copa lie flat J
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Offline Abey

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1290 on: January 03, 2024, 10:54:02 PM »
This is what we ended up doing:

Monday Night:
Dinner: Blame Kiki (Service/Drinks/Dessert = excellent)
Night = W Panama in Marvelous Suite

Tuesday:
Late start
Lunch = Kava (ceviche, nagiri, and pistachio calzone dessert = 10)
Walk around Old City (skippable)
Massages at W
Rented Polaris ATV and drove Amador Causeway and Panama Sign (must do for pic)
Dinner = Aria (rissotto/drinks/churros/crispy sushi, aria ribeye = 10)
Night = Waldorf in CONDO STE OCEAN VIEW - 1BEDROOM -1KING BED

Wednesday:
Shachris at Beth El (need to pass security check days in advance, cannot just show up)
Pickup brekkie at Coffee Bean
Tour: Monkey Island, Gamboa, Miraflores Locks (there's Coffee Bean there). We very much enjoyed Monkey Island and Miraflores. Found the IMAX with Morgan Freeman to be excellnet.
Dinner: Yoss Burger (excellent; best chicken sammie ever)

Thursday:
Shachris at Beth El
Hike up Ancon Hill, can bring stroller as it's paved (we did), but it's very steep
Massages at Waldorf
Order in from Kava
Fly Home in Copa lie flat J
only copa 737 max have lie flat correct? Which flight did you take ?
How quick can do monkey island, doable to be back for 6:15 flight including a stop to grab food ? (No luggage check)

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1291 on: January 08, 2024, 11:41:10 AM »
only copa 737 max have lie flat correct? Which flight did you take ?
How quick can do monkey island, doable to be back for 6:15 flight including a stop to grab food ? (No luggage check)
our guide told us the best time to do Monkey Island is early Morning, which will give you plenty time for your flight

Offline jacman456

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1292 on: January 15, 2024, 11:48:20 PM »
Does anyone know if you need to reserve any of these restaurants in advance ?

Yoss Burger (assume not)
Kava, Aroma, La Spezia and Blame Kiki.





Offline gubevo18

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1293 on: January 16, 2024, 08:50:38 AM »
Does anyone know if you need to reserve any of these restaurants in advance ?

Yoss Burger (assume not)
Kava, Aroma, La Spezia and Blame Kiki.
if you are going during busy season, id recommend making reservations everywhere.

Offline Redbull3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1294 on: January 16, 2024, 01:15:08 PM »
Does anyone know if you need to reserve any of these restaurants in advance ?

Yoss Burger (assume not)
Kava, Aroma, La Spezia and Blame Kiki.
Blame Kiki I think you have to to be safe. You prob are ok if you don't at Yoss, Kava, Aroma. But I would err on the side of caution and just do it if you can.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1295 on: January 24, 2024, 02:39:07 PM »
United vs Copa
Is either one better in coach?
In Premium economy?
No lie flat, so business isn't worth it.
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Offline Spoon

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1296 on: January 24, 2024, 02:59:27 PM »
Copa has one lie flat flight iinm. Also they don't provide ksml in Y.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1297 on: January 24, 2024, 07:33:21 PM »
Was The Residence by Marriot Shabbos friendly?
What floors? Electronic keys? electric doors into the hotel?
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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1298 on: January 24, 2024, 08:00:12 PM »
Was The Residence by Marriot Shabbos friendly?
What floors? Electronic keys? electric doors into the hotel?

I don't remember what floor but am pretty sure there were electronic keys.  They left the lobby door to the stairs open on Shabbos so we could walk up. 
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Offline JudahMcB

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1299 on: January 24, 2024, 08:17:51 PM »
Was The Residence by Marriot Shabbos friendly?
What floors? Electronic keys? electric doors into the hotel?
The hotel is connected to the Pacific Center mall. If you enter from the street level Pacific Center main entrance there are manual doors on the sides you can use on Shabbat. The electronic doors between the Residence Inn and the mall stay open on Shabbat.

If you walk up the stairs the first 4 floors are very tall (probably like 8 floors in reality) but 5 and up are normal.

Bring tape for the room door.