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 300043 times)

Offline TripsPls

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 46
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #560 on: November 18, 2019, 11:06:25 PM »
I agree she can be a bit short in text, but I was so impressed after being in the car with her for 5 min I was already asking if we could have a second day with her. Even now trying to plan another trip just so we can go on some more of her amazing tours.
She is not cheap, nor does she claim to be, but she gives you what you pay for.

Would hate for people to read one bad review and hurt her business...She was Amazing!!!

Offline Divora M

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 637
  • Total likes: 124
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #561 on: November 18, 2019, 11:08:07 PM »
I've had a great experiece with her and would use her again in a heartbeat. She is expensive but well worth the price. Did you speak with her or just text? She can be curt via text message.  I have not heard any negative reviews from anyone that actually hired her.

I reached out to her back in July and She was very curt. I asked if we could speak on the phone since I Had some questions about the tours but she replied “my time for you is zero, dear”. I had such a bad feeling about it but kept on brushing it off since there was 100+ amazing reviews about her And felt that her tours were a must if going to Panama. after she told me her original prices for the tours I wanted in January  I said I was going to book the tours closer to the departure date since she requires payment that is  50% non refundable. I have been burned by that before so I was holding off. This week when I texted her I was ready and she suddenly raised her prices by $300 per tour I tried telling her that she already gave me the prices in July, she said she will not negotiate with me and I am making this very difficult. I have never been treated by any business like this before and I have also never written a bad review but I feel that it is important for others to know. We are going to Panama in January and I will let you know how it goes with the tour guide I found.

Offline Divora M

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 637
  • Total likes: 124
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #562 on: November 18, 2019, 11:14:41 PM »
I agree she can be a bit short in text, but I was so impressed after being in the car with her for 5 min I was already asking if we could have a second day with her. Even now trying to plan another trip just so we can go on some more of her amazing tours.
She is not cheap, nor does she claim to be, but she gives you what you pay for.

Would hate for people to read one bad review and hurt her business...She was Amazing!!!

I am not negating other people’s positive experiences with her, but my interactions with her were horrible. I am not merely saying she was curt but downright rude and it is not the problem that her prices are higher then everyone else’s but that she goes back on her word and refuses to acknowledge it or even have a conversation about it. She has a monopoly on the DDF and takes advantage.

Offline Divora M

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 637
  • Total likes: 124
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #563 on: November 18, 2019, 11:17:51 PM »


Would hate for people to read one bad review and hurt her business...She was Amazing!!!
[/quote]
You don’t have to worry about her business, she made it quite clear to me that she doesn’t need anybody’s business.

Offline TripsPls

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 46
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #564 on: November 18, 2019, 11:21:03 PM »
She is top rated private tours on Trip Advisor as well. She is not only working with DDF. There is a reason she is talked about as much as she is. It seems the back and forth may have gotten out of hand but in person I saw non of this. Again just giving my vote for Sorhay if you can tour with her you are in for a surprise!!!

Offline PBaruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2269
  • Total likes: 296
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: HutzNPlutz
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #565 on: November 18, 2019, 11:25:02 PM »
She is top rated private tours on Trip Advisor as well. She is not only working with DDF. There is a reason she is talked about as much as she is. It seems the back and forth may have gotten out of hand but in person I saw non of this. Again just giving my vote for Sorhay if you can tour with her you are in for a surprise!!!

Is Sorhay paying you to say this? 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline TripsPls

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 46
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #566 on: November 18, 2019, 11:26:59 PM »
I just liked her that much, want to make sure one bad review does not tarnish that.
But must say a bit of a strange question...

Offline PBaruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2269
  • Total likes: 296
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: HutzNPlutz
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #567 on: November 18, 2019, 11:28:38 PM »
I just liked her that much, want to make sure one bad review does not tarnish that.
But must say a bit of a strange question...

Your raving reviews for Sorhay seems a bit strange to me while completely discounting someones experience with her. 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline TripsPls

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 46
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #568 on: November 18, 2019, 11:30:55 PM »
I'm reading her messages as well and she doesn't seem calm and collected, so I can understand how things can get out of hand. 
2 sides to a coin...

Offline Denverite

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 2006
  • Total likes: 181
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Denver
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #569 on: November 19, 2019, 12:16:45 AM »
Guys, I’m the one that basically exploded Sorhay’s business but I can also see how @Divora M could have had this experience as well if she was in some crazy busy season. I love her but there is plenty of business for everyone and I’m happy that she posted another guide because a.) fundamentally I’m a capitalist and competition is good b.) some people just can’t afford Sorhay’s tours at all no matter how great she may be and I’m happy to have a reference to a more affordable option c.) with the HUGE Jewish market and many of us traveling at the same times maybe DDF can also build up another Jewish tour guide as well.

Can we have peace now in the Panama Master Thread?   :P

Offline Divora M

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 637
  • Total likes: 124
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #570 on: November 19, 2019, 12:18:02 AM »
I'm reading her messages as well and she doesn't seem calm and collected, so I can understand how things can get out of hand. 
2 sides to a coin...

Can you please point out where I was not calm and collected?

Offline Denverite

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 2006
  • Total likes: 181
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Denver
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #571 on: November 19, 2019, 12:20:05 AM »
Can you please point out where I was not calm and collected?

I think @TripsPls was talking about Sorhay’s messages not yours and trying to be gracious to you.  :)

Offline Divora M

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 637
  • Total likes: 124
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #572 on: November 19, 2019, 12:29:11 AM »
Guys, I’m the one that basically exploded Sorhay’s business but I can also see how @Divora M could have had this experience as well if she was in some crazy busy season. I love her but there is plenty of business for everyone and I’m happy that she posted another guide because a.) fundamentally I’m a capitalist and competition is good b.) some people just can’t afford Sorhay’s tours at all no matter how great she may be and I’m happy to have a reference to a more affordable option c.) with the HUGE Jewish market and many of us traveling at the same times maybe DDF can also build up another Jewish tour guide as well.

Can we have peace now in the Panama Master Thread?   :P

I agree with you 100%

Offline ethana

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 475
  • Total likes: 9
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: new york
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #573 on: November 20, 2019, 03:29:58 PM »
i used barefoot panama

Offline itreu001

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 59
  • Total likes: 37
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New Jersey
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #574 on: November 20, 2019, 05:21:06 PM »
When we went to Panama in the summer, I contacted Sorhey also, because of DD. I also found her extremely expensive, and was also a little wierded out, that she wouldn't talk on the phone and would only text versus whattsapp. At the end, we used her to go to San Blas, (which she doesn't really do), but only used her, because we knew she was reliable from here, and we wouldn't get marooned on an island. Also San Blas is somewhere you can't really go on your own. But for the other trips, I used our own extensive research, and cut the prices significantly from what she was offering. Look at my TR to see what I am talking about. The other people that we met in shul on shabbos loved her.

Offline shiframeir

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 1761
  • Total likes: 145
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Programs: spg gold. nothing else. sigh.
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #575 on: November 21, 2019, 02:47:36 PM »
anyone eaten at Oak by Chef Avi Barak?

Offline ab613

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2019
  • Posts: 52
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #576 on: November 26, 2019, 01:53:06 PM »
Is it worth going to Panama without taking a tour guide?

Offline RebTuvia

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2019
  • Posts: 204
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: ברוקלין
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #577 on: November 27, 2019, 01:07:52 PM »
Is it worth going to Panama without taking a tour guide?

There's definitely much to do without a tour guide in Panama City, but traveling out of the city could be complicated on your own but doable. Read the trip reports.

Offline ab613

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2019
  • Posts: 52
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #578 on: November 28, 2019, 09:48:47 AM »
There's definitely much to do without a tour guide in Panama City, but traveling out of the city could be complicated on your own but doable. Read the trip reports.
so is it worth the shlep to Panama just to visit the city?

Offline lfas25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 2122
  • Total likes: 62
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #579 on: November 28, 2019, 12:46:46 PM »
Has anyone stayed at the Plaza Paitilla over shabbos?
I only paid 15% by switching to dansdeals