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 361186 times)

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1360 on: May 13, 2024, 09:47:42 AM »
I've seen a few people say they went to Embrea Village and had them cook lunch for you. How does it work.
Does the guide buy new pot and knife? How can you tell its actually new?
Do you buy it? How do you tovel it?
Thanks
We did this with Mauricio (he was great). He brought everything which still had the new stickers on it, he gave it to me in the boat, we toiveled it. Another option would be to do it with a non Jew, and not own the stuff brought then no need for toiveling. Although ask your LOR if they are charging you to buy it May technically be yours.

Offline moishes

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1361 on: May 22, 2024, 04:12:25 PM »
I've seen a few people say they went to Embrea Village and had them cook lunch for you. How does it work.
Does the guide buy new pot and knife? How can you tell its actually new?
Do you buy it? How do you tovel it?
Thanks

We did tour with Estaban (whatsapp +507 6923-7454) an English speaking tourguide, very nice and friendly $99 p/p. He also goes to buy new pot, knife and kosher ingredients to cook lunch at Embrera Village (He bought Kosher flour instead of cornstarch)


its posted in my trip report if interested

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=135624.0

Offline moishes

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1362 on: May 22, 2024, 04:13:59 PM »
We did this with Mauricio (he was great). He brought everything which still had the new stickers on it, he gave it to me in the boat, we toiveled it. Another option would be to do it with a non Jew, and not own the stuff brought then no need for toiveling. Although ask your LOR if they are charging you to buy it May technically be yours.

You do travel there by boat, so not a big deal to toivel  ;)

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1363 on: May 22, 2024, 06:21:23 PM »
You do travel there by boat, so not a big deal to toivel  ;)
Yup, part of the experience.

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1364 on: May 23, 2024, 05:06:52 PM »
What’s the best way to book reward flights to Panama from EWR (or tristate airports) using Chase or Amex points?
PUTPAC = PITA

Offline moishes

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1365 on: May 23, 2024, 06:39:06 PM »
What’s the best way to book reward flights to Panama from EWR (or tristate airports) using Chase or Amex points?

Aeroplan you can use chase to transfer there

Offline davidd75

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1366 on: June 07, 2024, 12:26:55 PM »
Aeroplan you can use chase to transfer there

what about Panama to LA using award miles best option?  Copa has decent nonstop service but can you use miles with Copa?

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1367 on: June 07, 2024, 12:59:33 PM »
what about Panama to LA using award miles best option?  Copa has decent nonstop service but can you use miles with Copa?
Yes, of course, if there's award availability. Check you're regular star alliance programs like AC and LM but UA had expanded availability on Copa at a higher rate which could make sense if cash fares are high.
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Offline iluv2travel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1368 on: June 09, 2024, 01:59:52 AM »
Anyone stayed at the Sofitel Legend Hotel? If yes, please advise your experience. I'm not looking to stay over shabbos so access to shul is not an issue.

Also, does anyone know the dates of Yeshiva break/week in winter 2025? Want to make sure not go during that time.

Thank you.

Offline Wolf Pack

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1369 on: June 09, 2024, 10:23:56 AM »
Anyone stayed at the Sofitel Legend Hotel? If yes, please advise your experience. I'm not looking to stay over shabbos so access to shul is not an issue.


 Just stayed there last week. Phenomenal experience.  loooks brand new, spotless clean, luxurious, great amenities and service.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2024, 10:32:59 AM by Wolf Pack »

Online myi

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1370 on: June 11, 2024, 03:22:51 AM »
What’s the best way to book reward flights to Panama from EWR (or tristate airports) using Chase or Amex points?
Try pointsyeah.com.  it's free to use
Quote
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Offline ajs625

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1371 on: June 20, 2024, 06:33:17 PM »
Has anyone been to Panama with young kids and went to Boquete? What was your experience? Also, is it crazy to split a week with half the time in PC and the other in Boquete?

Offline Avs175

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1372 on: June 23, 2024, 12:49:05 PM »
Can anyone comment on the tznius of vising Embera Village?
What are the women dressed like?
Thanks.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1373 on: June 23, 2024, 12:51:30 PM »
Can anyone comment on the tznius of vising Embera Village?
What are the women dressed like?
Thanks.

Close to naked. Usually topless and sometimes they'll forget to put the top on.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline moisheh

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1374 on: June 24, 2024, 01:32:19 AM »
Looking to stay for a week in Panama City July 10-17 with 4 adults 6 kids 3-9 what’s the best hotel options

Offline Ekay

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1375 on: June 24, 2024, 12:37:55 PM »
Looking to stay for a week in Panama City July 10-17 with 4 adults 6 kids 3-9 what’s the best hotel options
Residence Inn.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1376 on: June 24, 2024, 01:20:25 PM »
Looking to stay for a week in Panama City July 10-17 with 4 adults 6 kids 3-9 what’s the best hotel options

Likewise, we really liked the Residence Inn.  It's around the corner from Chabad and a block away from Jeffrey's.  There is now a kosher supermarket on the ground floor.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1377 on: June 24, 2024, 02:18:33 PM »
Close to naked. Usually topless and sometimes they'll forget to put the top on.

that was not my experience.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1378 on: June 24, 2024, 02:33:52 PM »
that was not my experience.

Dunno, maybe you went to the fake village.   :)
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Offline ckmk47

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1379 on: June 24, 2024, 09:01:51 PM »

My review of Eshel Suites is long overdue.
Excellent accommodations!
Location: Around the block from Chabad. A few blocks from the Ashkenaz shul and one of the Sefardi shuls.
One block from the Kosher supermarket, which is across the parking lot form 3 restaurants.
Building: nondescript from the outside. Fresh and elegant and spacious inside.
We had the Presidential Suite. It has 2 bedrooms, each with 2 double beds and it’s own bathroom, and another area that can be used for sleeping children, and a 3rd bathroom in the hallway.
There is also a dining room and living room (with a large screen TV).
But the crowning glory is the kitchen! Large fridge,2 sinks, counters, stove, cabinets.  Fully stocked with dishes, pots and silverware.  He verifies you’re kosher before confirming your booking.
The Presidential Suite is 1 flight up.  2 flights up has other, 1 BR suites that have a kitchen area.
Also upstairs is a common area. Where on Shabbos there are tables to eat at and weekday you can just hang out with others if you’d like.
We set our own AC. There’s a washer and dryer.
There’s daily maid service that kept the whole suite sparkling – even washed our dishes and counter.
The owner is very responsive.  We had trouble with the wifi, and he came immediately to reset it.
He suggested we order from the supermarket prior to our arrival and they put the delivery into the fridge for us.  He helped us with Shabbos food suggestions, too.
We were there a week and loved it. Other people who were in other hotels (on high floors) came there just for Shabbos. 

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