Panama Master Thread

[ckmk47]

Ok, it’s strange that under amenities it says pool and beach towels…

Call and ask.  Maybe they have some arrangement now.

[Divora M]

Call and ask.  Maybe they have some arrangement now.

Do you have a contact number?

[ckmk47]

Do you have a contact number?

pm sent

[Ellen]

Any recommendations for guide for just monkey island? How much time do I need for it? Half day?

[ckmk47]

Any recommendations for guide for just monkey island? How much time do I need for it? Half day?

Half day
Almost any guide will work.

[Ellen]

Half day
Almost any guide will work.

Recommendations?

[Avs175]

I recommend Nestor: he's a great guy, really nice, friendly, and vey close friend of the panama jewish community (he knows everyone, they all use him).
He knows all about Lakewood, Flatbush, kosher food, Jewish music, Hebrew words, everything - he is super funny!
You can whatsapp him at 507.6949.5330

[Ellen]

I recommend Nestor: he's a great guy, really nice, friendly, and vey close friend of the panama jewish community (he knows everyone, they all use him).
He knows all about Lakewood, Flatbush, kosher food, Jewish music, Hebrew words, everything - he is super funny!
You can whatsapp him at 507.6949.5330

Thanks so much! I dont use whatsapp. Would you by any chance have his email?

[Sam1297]

Recommendations?

I used Panama With Alon. Was really happy with his agency. You can email him at oakfrst@gmail.com 

[Alexsei]

What time and where is the latest Weekday Shachris?

[Alexsei]

What time and where is the latest Weekday Shachris?

Looks like it's this one, and only during Winter break

https://www.chabadpanama.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4411225/jewish/Services.htm

WINTER BREAK 2025 ADDITIONAL MINYAN
We added a special shacharit minyan every day at 8:45am, in addition to the regular minyan at 7:30 AM.  Starting on Wednesday December 25th, to Thursday January 30th

[Divora M]

Does anyone know if Ilene from Pearl Islands is still giving private boat tours? She isn’t responding to my messages.

[Chabad Boquete]

🌟 Welcome Kosher Tourists to Boquete, Panama! 🌟

- ✨ Enjoy kosher food and artisan breads at our restaurant/bakery 🍞
- ☕ Explore the coffee capital of the region 🌿
- 🕍 Minyanim at the beautiful synagogue (with a women's mikvah) 🌺
- 🌄 Experience outdoor activities for all ages including ziplining, water rafting, and horseback riding 🏞
- 🌳 Discover gardens, parks, and breathtaking nature views 🌷
- 🌞 Perfect springtime weather all year round 🌼
- 💎 Uncover Panama's hidden gem with easy access via Copa Airlines

BEAUTIFUL VIDEO ABOUT KOSHER BOQUETE: https://youtu.be/JTX3LE_i_5Q

Contact Yakov +507-6243-0666 or Hana +507-6242-9387
@chabadboquete (facebook & Instagram)

[kayjay]

These are some insights from my trip to Panama. Please note that this is based on my experience, and things might vary, especially during peak season. Do your own research as needed.

Currency: U.S. dollars are commonly used.

Forecast: It showed rain pretty much everyday however it rarely rained at all while we there. As mentioned here and other places, don't pay much attention to the forecast.

Transportation: Uber is the most convenient and affordable way to get around.

Safety: It’s generally safe to walk around, but crosswalks aren’t like in Israel—cars don’t stop automatically for pedestrians.

The Chabad rabbi was incredibly welcoming and available. No forms are required for entry.

For other shuls, you’ll need to fill out forms online in advance. You can get preapproval by emailing them proof of shul membership or a rabbi’s letter after sending in the forms. They will then send you a QR code and a number code and then you don't need your passport but will still need a short interview on your first visit. They will give all the info in the email.

There is an eruv—check the Chabad website for details. In general it's a good place for info as well as gokosherpanama.

Ahavat Zion shul offers early minyanim, including vasikin. Good for early trips.

Pearl Island
You need your passport. Under 4 is free.
The ferry ride is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Ferry tickets close for online booking at 6 PM the night before, but you can book in person the morning of. In busy season it may be booked up. When arriving at Pearl Island there is a small dock with a ramp to get onto island. We did it with a doona and was really easy.
Renting golf carts to explore the island is the most convenient; we got one with two rows and rear storage for $80.
The Mar Y Oro Hotel offers rooms for the day($82.50)With kids was worth it just for showers, bathrooms, and a place to eat lunch with AC and to store belongings. You can also use the the public facilities(showers, bathroom, lounging) without booking a room.
You can go to the beach there and they can also book you boats to go fishing or snorkeling. Not all boats give life jackets there. We drove around to check other parts of island as well. You can use google maps or waze to get around. The hotel is really close to the ferry location. Don't get back too late for the return ferry. When you get back to ferry location you need to wait on line and show your ticket after that you get a stub with your boarding number on it. Boarding is done in groups of 10 and if you're at the end you may not get seats at the windows or all together.

Amador Causeway
Family and regular bikes are available for rent. Moises (at the start of the causeway) offers standard family bikes, while Burke’s Bikes (near the kosher ice cream store) rents electric family carts as well.
Riding to the Panama sign at Flamenco Island is shorter if you start near Burke’s Bikes. Remember to bring shorts and sunscreen.
Monkey Island
Guides bring food for the monkeys (e.g., nuts, bananas). If you are sitting in the back and sticking out your hands with food, the monkeys will climb onto the people in front to get to the food. Seat little kids accordingly.
On the tour basically there is one main family of monkeys that come onto the boat. The others are different kinds and are more shy.

Miraflores Locks
Check boat schedules in advance; they only pass through in the morning and after 3 PM. You can visit without a guide—just plan your timing with the imax and the boats not to waste time. There’s a small playground for kids and a kosher café (not chalav Yisrael).

Emberá Village
If guide buys kosher utensils, you can tovel them on the way.
The fish served is tilapia, but it’s caught already and fins and scales removed before you get there. You light the fire and pour the oil, but they cook it while you’re on the tour. If you choose to stay to watch it it gets really hot and smoky in the hut and you will miss out on most of the tour. They are supposed to only use your knife to turn it over, hopefully. Im not a rav just saying if you want to spend the extra on the utensils know how it goes down(at least by us it was like that)

Kosher Groceries:
SuperKosher supermarket offers items similar to what’s available in the U.S. Same company yogurts, cheeses, snacks etc very important when traveling with kids.
If staying at the Residence Inn, they deliver to your room otherwise they bring to your car or uber
Restaurants:
Breakfast: Aroma (great food but no baked goods; Yoss Bakery next door has them).
Others we enjoyed: Lula, Jeffries, Aroma, Yoss Burger, Aria, Fuego, Kava, Blame Kiki, and Be Shack. Check what is cholov yisrael before you order if nedeed.

A form is required for entry into Panama. One per family; fill it out legibly as it’s entered into the system. Also when you land and get your luggage you need to go thru a security check before leaving airport and they don't offer carts. So you could be shlepping 3 or more suitcases plus kids on long line. Was really annoying.

Shabbos Meals
Friday night meals are available at Chabad, you can light there as well. Shabbos day meals available at chabad and Bethel ($50/adult, $30/child). Takeout packages from restaurants are also available.
In busy seasons, some restaurants also offer Shabbos meals. Fuego I believe.

Residence Inn:
Same building as Superkosher.
5th floor is the lowest floor with rooms and involves around 160 stairs (16 steps per flight, 2 flights per floor).

Return to the U.S.
There’s a second security check at the gate. Drinks are not allowed, but exceptions might be made for water if you hava a baby

For Monkey Island and Emberá Village, we used Esteban and his brother Orlando. They provided a new, spacious van with Wi-Fi and water.

[justaregularguy]

Nice mini tr !

What’s the deal with Trump and Panama these days? He’s back on world domination again?

[ckmk47]

Nice mini tr !

What’s the deal with Trump and Panama these days? He’s back on world domination again?

They've raised their prices noticeably a year or 2 ago.
Trump's wheeling and dealing for a better deal.

[cgr]

They've raised their prices noticeably a year or 2 ago.

On par with Port Authority?

[Eisik]

Hi
Would love to spend a day at beach but have no intrest in getting up early and make the boat rides to Contadora or tabago.
Is there a reason why I dont see any mention of Pacific Riviera?
It seems it is an hour or so car ride which is so much more convenient.

[emak]

Travelling with kids, is it possible to get connecting rooms at Residence Inn? Is it Shabbos-friendly? Any ideas for candles/ or putting up a cholent if that would be allowed?

[whacked1]

Travelling with kids, is it possible to get connecting rooms at Residence Inn? Is it Shabbos-friendly? Any ideas for candles/ or putting up a cholent if that would be allowed?

Very friendly. They gave us a jr suite (seemed pretty standard). Had a full kitchenette with plenty of counter space. If you take elevator, they have people standing around by reception (i think its on 3) to push the elevator for you (AYLOR).