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



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:

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 moishes on February 05, 2024, 05:12:28 PM »

Author Topic: Panama Master Thread  (Read 299995 times)

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #420 on: July 03, 2019, 09:23:59 PM »
Any advice?

Sortis!! Right next to 4 kosher restaurants and gorgeous hotel with a cool pool.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #421 on: July 04, 2019, 03:56:09 PM »
Are there any hotels that are very kid friendly? Like a water park or kids pool with slides?

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #422 on: July 15, 2019, 01:00:23 PM »
Should I use MB points for Sortis Hotel (17,500/night + one free night) or CSR UR points for 7,800/night? It's sounds pretty obvious to me but maybe I am missing something with the MB.

Offline Mendel s

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #423 on: July 28, 2019, 11:49:53 AM »
Does panama make sense for a couple with a 4 month old baby? Are there things to do for such?
We aren’t extremely adventurous...

Offline itreu001

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #424 on: August 05, 2019, 12:35:54 PM »
Does anyone have an experience with the excursions provided by Gamboa Rainforest Reserve in Panama? Please let me know. Thank you.

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #425 on: August 05, 2019, 06:33:22 PM »
Should I use MB points for Sortis Hotel (17,500/night + one free night) or CSR UR points for 7,800/night? It's sounds pretty obvious to me but maybe I am missing something with the MB.
It really depends on the dates but if you book in advance, cash would really be the best option. I for instance am paying $70 dollars per night at the Sortis for my upcoming trip Aug 25-29. I doubt you can get anything better than that... unless you don’t value points as cash!

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #426 on: August 05, 2019, 09:30:51 PM »
It really depends on the dates but if you book in advance, cash would really be the best option. I for instance am paying $70 dollars per night at the Sortis for my upcoming trip Aug 25-29. I doubt you can get anything better than that... unless you don’t value points as cash!

Wow, that’s crazy! How far in advance did you book it?

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #427 on: August 07, 2019, 01:30:12 AM »
Wow, that’s crazy! How far in advance did you book it?
To be honest, I booked last week.. I used Marriott’s BestRateGuarantee program. They price match your booking and give you an additional %25 off your booking. In my case my original price on the Marriott app was $496 for 4 nights I then ‘found’ the same booking (same dates same exact rooms) on CancelOn.com via google which totaled to $396 I submitted a BestRateGuarantee form to Marriott and was approved within the 24 hours. I was then refunded the difference and the additional %25, I ended up paying $281 in total for 4 nights.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #428 on: August 07, 2019, 10:12:15 AM »
To be honest, I booked last week.. I used Marriott’s BestRateGuarantee program. They price match your booking and give you an additional %25 off your booking. In my case my original price on the Marriott app was $496 for 4 nights I then ‘found’ the same booking (same dates same exact rooms) on CancelOn.com via google which totaled to $396 I submitted a BestRateGuarantee form to Marriott and was approved within the 24 hours. I was then refunded the difference and the additional %25, I ended up paying $281 in total for 4 nights.

Cool, do I need a Marriott CC to be part of the BestRateGuarantee program or is it just an app I can get?

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #429 on: August 07, 2019, 10:19:58 AM »
Cool, do I need a Marriott CC to be part of the BestRateGuarantee program or is it just an app I can get?
It’s a Marriott program no cc needed. Can be through the site as well.

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #430 on: August 07, 2019, 10:25:17 AM »
It’s a Marriott program no cc needed. Can be through the site as well.
It’s a pity so little people know about this, whoever I talk to. It work with all of Marriott and you could always find something cheaper (even $1) elsewhere and then price match and get the 25% .

Offline KSMH

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #431 on: August 07, 2019, 10:26:54 AM »
It’s a pity so little people know about this, whoever I talk to. It work with all of Marriott and you could always find something cheaper (even $1) elsewhere and then price match and get the 25% .
Just did fie RC Cancun and got it from 800+ to 500+ !
Always praying for delayed baggage.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #432 on: August 07, 2019, 10:33:40 AM »
I’ll check it out, thanks for the tip!

Offline tdb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #433 on: August 07, 2019, 11:23:35 AM »
We are going in 2 weeks with our kids staying at JW. Attached is info i received from Bet El for those that are interested.

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #434 on: August 07, 2019, 01:43:24 PM »
Just did fie RC Cancun and got it from 800+ to 500+ !
Good for you!

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #435 on: August 07, 2019, 01:43:48 PM »
I’ll check it out, thanks for the tip!
I’ll be happy to help if needed.

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #436 on: August 07, 2019, 01:45:16 PM »
We are going in 2 weeks with our kids staying at JW. Attached is info i received from Bet El for those that are interested.
How does it work? Do I need to call them in advance? What info do they want?

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #437 on: August 07, 2019, 02:07:18 PM »
I only see reports from the JW Marriott as being Shabbos friendly.  Does anyone have experience with any other hotels over Shabbos?  In particular we are considering the Hilton but would consider any others near shul with suites.
thanks!
« Last Edit: August 07, 2019, 02:46:03 PM by Ploni3 »

Offline tdb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #438 on: August 07, 2019, 02:08:05 PM »
How does it work? Do I need to call them in advance? What info do they want?

look at the attachments

Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #439 on: August 07, 2019, 02:33:11 PM »
would it make sense to go next week? with all the rain in the forecast...