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 December 07, 2024, 11:33:22 PM »

Author Topic: Panama Master Thread  (Read 396236 times)

Offline DutyFree

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1440 on: December 31, 2024, 03:22:14 PM »
Anybody have any review or experience at the dreams playa bonita?

Offline esgoo

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1441 on: January 02, 2025, 11:05:53 AM »
Trip report December 23-30
(my first time posting so hope I am doing it right)
Flew COPA BWI to PTY. They give everyone a hot meal but there is no kosher meal except if you are in business class. They don't have any snacks either, so if you are Kosher, you only get a drink.

Hotel - Uber from airport was $20; back to airport was $25. Hilton is a five start hotel, but I would rate it as 4 stars. Beds were really uncomfortable - just sitting down, you sink. If you like a firm bed, don't stay here. Hotel is only 10 years old but seems much older because it doesn't seem to be very well taken care of. When you enter the hotel, you have to take an elevator up to the lobby which is several floors up and then a separate elevator up to the rooms. Pool is nice with lots of seating. Gym is huge and has plenty of equipment. Walk to Chabad and Beth El is about 15-20 minutes, but you have to cross 2 busy streets so waiting for the light can add a few minutes. I would not stay at the Hilton again if I was to return - it's a little too far and a little shabby. Also, I hear people complain about the JW Marriott not having a private bathroom. The Hilton bathroom is also not very private as the doors are just frosted glass.

Restaurants - We arrived late Monday night and ordered from the Chief. It was very cheap and the food was fine for us being starving, but it's typical oily fast food. Skip the coleslaw. Tuesday we went to the grocery store (more on that later) and ate at the dairy cafe. Had the most delicious, fresh greek salad, pizza and sandwiches. Tuesday night we had a reservation for Yoss Burger at 6. We got there at 6 and they said they were closed - we showed them our reservation and they agreed to let us stay but said we needed to rush. No thanks. We instead went to Pita Plus and so glad we did. Pita Plus was delicious. Wednesday at Canal went to Coffee Bean for a late lunch/snack. Wednesday night we went to Aroma - it was okay. We did not make plans to eat at Chabad/Beth El, so Friday morning we went in search of shabbos food. Yoss Burger had trays of food for you to select - it was expensive but delicious. Yoss Bakery had delicious rugelach and doughnuts and Jeffrey's had delicious challah. We got a rotisserie chicken from Super Kosher which was also very good. Saturday night we went to Blame Kiki. This was the most expensive restaurant we went to by far and the least tasty. It's great for the ambiance, but that's it. Sunday we went to the meat restaurant at Super Kosher which was very good.

Activities - Miraflores Locks/Canal - Uber was $6. Imax movie was great, watched a ship pass through, really cool. Thursday was San Blas booked with Monkey Adventures. The whole San Blas experience is a mystery to me - if you have been to the Caribbean, why in the world would you suffer through the torture of getting to San Blas????? Pickup is 5am, then an hour and a half of regular driving then an hour of driving on a wind-y roller coaster - if you have anything in your stomach and are sitting in the back of the car, you will most likely vomit. Once you are finished with the car portion, it's another hour before you reach the islands by boat. The islands are nice, but same level as Aruba, Bahamas, etc. Sunday was a tour with Danny Wizel to Monkey Island and indigenous tribe. Danny was very well prepared with fruit for the monkeys, speakers playing monkey sounds, etc. We had some great interactions with 3 different kinds of monkeys and it was great. The tribe visit was a little meh - this tour was private which was nice, but for the tribe portion, it might have been nice to have a bigger crowd. He also took us to the waterfall but it was drizzling and we were soaked from earlier rain and a little cold so we skipped going in. Next he took us to see some small alligators up close in the water which was cool. Casco Viejo (old city) - sort of like the old city in Puerto Rico - cool to walk around with souvenir shops. There is a Kosher restaurant there, but we didn't go.

Weather - Supposedly, December to April is the dry season. Before we left, we saw rain in the forecast every day and the locals all said not to worry about it. Of the 6 full days we were there, the only sunny day was when we were in San Blas (which was a great day for the sun). The other days it either rained or was full overcast. It was very hot and humid though.

Super Kosher - the grocery store is beautiful and clean. Everyone says you don't need to bring food to Panama because there is so much and that is true, but you may pay an arm and a leg for some things. If I were to return, I would bring a few things.

Shabbos - we went to Chabad Friday night and Beth El shabbos morning. Both were beautiful shuls with beautiful davening. The people of Panama are all very kind and welcoming and it seems like a wonderful Jewish community.

This is all I can think of right now, but please feel free to ask any questions.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1442 on: January 03, 2025, 10:51:52 AM »
Looking at Godaven (https://www.godaven.com/search?mode=location&address=Calle%2044%20Este,%20Panam%C3%A1,%20Panama&lat=8.9760852&lng=-79.531417) it would seem that the latest marriv is 7:30PM. Is anyone aware of a minyan later than that?

Offline emak

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1443 on: January 03, 2025, 03:29:28 PM »
Trip report December 23-30
(my first time posting so hope I am doing it right)
Flew COPA BWI to PTY. They give everyone a hot meal but there is no kosher meal except if you are in business class. They don't have any snacks either, so if you are Kosher, you only get a drink.

Hotel - Uber from airport was $20; back to airport was $25. Hilton is a five start hotel, but I would rate it as 4 stars. Beds were really uncomfortable - just sitting down, you sink. If you like a firm bed, don't stay here. Hotel is only 10 years old but seems much older because it doesn't seem to be very well taken care of. When you enter the hotel, you have to take an elevator up to the lobby which is several floors up and then a separate elevator up to the rooms. Pool is nice with lots of seating. Gym is huge and has plenty of equipment. Walk to Chabad and Beth El is about 15-20 minutes, but you have to cross 2 busy streets so waiting for the light can add a few minutes. I would not stay at the Hilton again if I was to return - it's a little too far and a little shabby. Also, I hear people complain about the JW Marriott not having a private bathroom. The Hilton bathroom is also not very private as the doors are just frosted glass.

Restaurants - We arrived late Monday night and ordered from the Chief. It was very cheap and the food was fine for us being starving, but it's typical oily fast food. Skip the coleslaw. Tuesday we went to the grocery store (more on that later) and ate at the dairy cafe. Had the most delicious, fresh greek salad, pizza and sandwiches. Tuesday night we had a reservation for Yoss Burger at 6. We got there at 6 and they said they were closed - we showed them our reservation and they agreed to let us stay but said we needed to rush. No thanks. We instead went to Pita Plus and so glad we did. Pita Plus was delicious. Wednesday at Canal went to Coffee Bean for a late lunch/snack. Wednesday night we went to Aroma - it was okay. We did not make plans to eat at Chabad/Beth El, so Friday morning we went in search of shabbos food. Yoss Burger had trays of food for you to select - it was expensive but delicious. Yoss Bakery had delicious rugelach and doughnuts and Jeffrey's had delicious challah. We got a rotisserie chicken from Super Kosher which was also very good. Saturday night we went to Blame Kiki. This was the most expensive restaurant we went to by far and the least tasty. It's great for the ambiance, but that's it. Sunday we went to the meat restaurant at Super Kosher which was very good.

Activities - Miraflores Locks/Canal - Uber was $6. Imax movie was great, watched a ship pass through, really cool. Thursday was San Blas booked with Monkey Adventures. The whole San Blas experience is a mystery to me - if you have been to the Caribbean, why in the world would you suffer through the torture of getting to San Blas????? Pickup is 5am, then an hour and a half of regular driving then an hour of driving on a wind-y roller coaster - if you have anything in your stomach and are sitting in the back of the car, you will most likely vomit. Once you are finished with the car portion, it's another hour before you reach the islands by boat. The islands are nice, but same level as Aruba, Bahamas, etc. Sunday was a tour with Danny Wizel to Monkey Island and indigenous tribe. Danny was very well prepared with fruit for the monkeys, speakers playing monkey sounds, etc. We had some great interactions with 3 different kinds of monkeys and it was great. The tribe visit was a little meh - this tour was private which was nice, but for the tribe portion, it might have been nice to have a bigger crowd. He also took us to the waterfall but it was drizzling and we were soaked from earlier rain and a little cold so we skipped going in. Next he took us to see some small alligators up close in the water which was cool. Casco Viejo (old city) - sort of like the old city in Puerto Rico - cool to walk around with souvenir shops. There is a Kosher restaurant there, but we didn't go.

Weather - Supposedly, December to April is the dry season. Before we left, we saw rain in the forecast every day and the locals all said not to worry about it. Of the 6 full days we were there, the only sunny day was when we were in San Blas (which was a great day for the sun). The other days it either rained or was full overcast. It was very hot and humid though.

Super Kosher - the grocery store is beautiful and clean. Everyone says you don't need to bring food to Panama because there is so much and that is true, but you may pay an arm and a leg for some things. If I were to return, I would bring a few things.

Shabbos - we went to Chabad Friday night and Beth El shabbos morning. Both were beautiful shuls with beautiful davening. The people of Panama are all very kind and welcoming and it seems like a wonderful Jewish community.

This is all I can think of right now, but please feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks! Which Kosher items did you find to be expensive there? Also, planning on going with a family. Is monkey island a good place to check out with kids? Any other ideas that don't involve too much driving or travelling? Planning on staying at Residence Inn

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1444 on: January 04, 2025, 08:24:23 PM »
Is monkey island a good place to check out with kids? Any other ideas that don't involve too much driving or travelling? Planning on staying at Residence Inn
Monkey Island definitely with a family.
We also did a jungle walk - which would be great for you. The tour guides have it as a standard available tour.
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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1445 on: January 06, 2025, 02:18:46 PM »
How is Panama airport getting out when landing and checking in for exiting country? Sounds like it can be annoying with security checkpoints. How long should I come before departure from there on a Sunday morning? Any ideas where to hang out on Shabbos next to Residence Inn, is there a nice place to walk or visit? Thinking of doing a Shabbos meal in my hotel room, but not sure if that will work out

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1446 on: January 08, 2025, 11:42:00 AM »
Thanks! Which Kosher items did you find to be expensive there? Also, planning on going with a family. Is monkey island a good place to check out with kids? Any other ideas that don't involve too much driving or travelling? Planning on staying at Residence Inn

A lot of snacks like pringles, cookies, some cereals. Monkey Island is great for kids. Look at Amador Causeway. Not so much to do close by.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1447 on: January 08, 2025, 11:46:59 AM »
How is Panama airport getting out when landing and checking in for exiting country? Sounds like it can be annoying with security checkpoints. How long should I come before departure from there on a Sunday morning? Any ideas where to hang out on Shabbos next to Residence Inn, is there a nice place to walk or visit? Thinking of doing a Shabbos meal in my hotel room, but not sure if that will work out

Airport was really easy. We didn't check bags so we got off the plane, went to immigration and were in an Uber within a few minutes. Everyone makes a big deal about the second security checkpoint - really not bad at all. When you arrive at your gate, there is a screening so everyone for the flight will be lined up - there is no TSA Pre so everyone has to take their shoes off and everything has to go through the scanner. Remember not to buy drinks because drinks cannot go through (like regular security). We got there 2 hours before and had plenty of time to go to Coffee Bean and eat. The Residence Inn has a pool on the roof and a lot of tables and chairs - you can probably bring your food up there and have a nice meal. There were also washers and dryers there. We didn't stay at RI but we went to check it out.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1448 on: January 11, 2025, 09:56:56 PM »
Hoping to go to Panama in Feb.
I saw in the official info that they say no foold is allowed in.
Some have said they brought their snacks from home.
Does anyone know if the official message only applies to produce or meat?
Thanks!

Offline Sam1297

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1449 on: January 11, 2025, 10:47:48 PM »
Hoping to go to Panama in Feb.
I saw in the official info that they say no foold is allowed in.
Some have said they brought their snacks from home.
Does anyone know if the official message only applies to produce or meat?
Thanks!
I brought in a full suitcase of snacks and stuff with no issue at all, though don't know about meat and produce. Btw there's a full kosher grocery store that's not too overly priced, so you don't really have to bring in snacks etc.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1450 on: January 15, 2025, 07:49:50 PM »
We’re can I stay for shabbos besides residence inn (sold out) close to Chabad

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1451 on: January 16, 2025, 12:07:15 AM »
We’re can I stay for shabbos besides residence inn (sold out) close to Chabad
Eshel
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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1452 on: January 21, 2025, 08:46:19 PM »
Any hotels that don’t have sensor?

Offline emak

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1453 on: January 22, 2025, 08:42:59 AM »
How is Lyft vs. Uber here? Is Uber generally the better way to go? Need to get from hotel to Panama Canal and other areas

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1454 on: January 22, 2025, 08:55:03 AM »
How is Lyft vs. Uber here? Is Uber generally the better way to go? Need to get from hotel to Panama Canal and other areas
Lyft only operates in the US and Canada...

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1455 on: January 22, 2025, 09:16:00 AM »
Lyft only operates in the US and Canada...

Uber is very cheap and readily available as long as you do not need a large vehicle.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1456 on: January 22, 2025, 11:24:00 PM »
Uber is very cheap and readily available as long as you do not need a large vehicle.
Need a minivan. That's ok?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1457 on: January 22, 2025, 11:25:53 PM »
Need a minivan. That's ok?

When we were there, it was not always easy to find an Uber minivan.  We specifically had some trouble when returning from the Panama Canal. 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1458 on: January 23, 2025, 01:06:37 AM »
Is monkey island a good place to check out with kids?
Maybe you will meet Guybrush Threepwood there.
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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #1459 on: January 23, 2025, 11:36:53 AM »
When we were there, it was not always easy to find an Uber minivan.  We specifically had some trouble when returning from the Panama Canal.

Don't assume you will get US sized minivans. Cheaper to get two ubers. Also - depending on where you are going, don't just assume that there will ubers ready to pick you up. Panama Canal should be OK. Monkey island - not so much.