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 300057 times)

Online Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #760 on: August 05, 2021, 02:44:22 PM »
Just came back from Panama and had a amazing trip!

Just a few pointers

If you want to do Pearl Islands and don't want to schlep with the ferry, we hired a private boat for the day "Gem Charters" that took us directly from Panama City to 3 islands, snorkeling, fishing, we saw whales and dolphins
It's pricy but with larger groups it's not much more then the ferry and is very convenient.

Lot's of restaurants mentioned upthread closed during Covid

Yoss Burger is a new upscale burger place that opened right next to the Residence Inn and was Amazing

Super Kosher will be moving soon to a huge supermarket in the same building as the Residence inn, not sure when but it looked all ready when I was there.

Curfew in Panama City was pushed back to 12AM

San Blas is opening back up for tourists mid August

www.gokosherpanama.com is a amazing website with loads of valuable info and constantly updated, You could even contact her and she will help you plan a full itinerary and book hotels free of charge.


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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #761 on: August 18, 2021, 11:36:08 AM »
JW Marriot
Can you elaborate on the JW?

Offline efi

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #762 on: August 18, 2021, 02:49:46 PM »
Looking for recommendations of where to stay in Bocos del toro. Preferably something very nice either on the beach or over water bungalow.

Thanks!
I stayed at the Tropical Suites Hotel, was looking for something nice and walking distance to Chabad for Shabbos, try to get there Penthouse if its available

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #763 on: August 21, 2021, 10:14:42 PM »
I don't have a trip report ready to post yet, but I went to Panama at the end of July and had an amazing trip. Also flew to Contadora Island (part of Pearl Islands) for a night, and stayed in an amazing Airbnb with a frum host who arranged for packaged kosher food and drinks (cheese, wine, snacks etc...) on the island during our stay, and also helped arrange all of our activities while on the island. PM for info or any questions.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #764 on: August 22, 2021, 07:13:18 PM »
I don't have a trip report ready to post yet, but I went to Panama at the end of July and had an amazing trip. Also flew to Contadora Island (part of Pearl Islands) for a night, and stayed in an amazing Airbnb with a frum host who arranged for packaged kosher food and drinks (cheese, wine, snacks etc...) on the island during our stay, and also helped arrange all of our activities while on the island. PM for info or any questions.

That’s awesome, I really  loved Contadora as well, nice that you found kosher arrangements. Did you fly both ways? How much was the flights?
Visibly Jewish

Offline stsschw

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #765 on: August 31, 2021, 12:47:09 PM »
Several tours guides/agencies - including Gem Charters, Monkey Adventures, Pearl Island day Tours now offering discount for booking with gokosherpanama.com.

Offline metsgiantsfan

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #766 on: September 23, 2021, 03:02:58 PM »
panama fun for 10-12 year olds? which are best hotel chains there?

Offline mochjas

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #767 on: October 07, 2021, 05:00:20 PM »
So it seems the US is a red country for Panama, meaning if you are invaccinated you need to quarantine for 3 days upon arrival. Does that apply to unvaccinated kids under 12?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #768 on: October 27, 2021, 04:20:36 PM »
Will Imyh be going with the family for Winter break, and will be here over shabbos. i have seen the JW Marriott recommended, as a hotel near a shul. Does anyone else have a recommendation? Would love a Suite like room, with a kitchen, as we are going to be there with 3 kids aged 6-11. Alternatively, we would book 2 rooms. Any help is appreciated.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #769 on: October 27, 2021, 04:44:21 PM »
Will Imyh be going with the family for Winter break, and will be here over shabbos. i have seen the JW Marriott recommended, as a hotel near a shul. Does anyone else have a recommendation? Would love a Suite like room, with a kitchen, as we are going to be there with 3 kids aged 6-11. Alternatively, we would book 2 rooms. Any help is appreciated.
You plan on quarantining?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #770 on: October 27, 2021, 04:57:50 PM »
Is that a thing?

Online momo

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #771 on: October 27, 2021, 05:01:59 PM »
Wife and i are vaccinated. Kids under 12 don’t need to be. So we are good. At least as of now.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #772 on: October 27, 2021, 05:03:25 PM »
Wife and i are vaccinated. Kids under 12 don’t need to be. So we are good. At least as of now.
pretty sure kids need to quarantine

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #773 on: October 27, 2021, 05:08:51 PM »
https://pa.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

According to this site we are good. Excerpt regarding children below.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from all testing and quarantine requirements to enter Panama, as long as their parents or legal guardians comply with the above requirement


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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #775 on: October 27, 2021, 05:11:18 PM »
Will Imyh be going with the family for Winter break, and will be here over shabbos. i have seen the JW Marriott recommended, as a hotel near a shul. Does anyone else have a recommendation? Would love a Suite like room, with a kitchen, as we are going to be there with 3 kids aged 6-11. Alternatively, we would book 2 rooms. Any help is appreciated.

We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn, right around the corner from Chabad, a block away from Jeffreys, and right near some falafel place.  No idea if Chabad is letting tourist in now and not sure which restaurants are still open but the hotel was great.  It's in my TR here:

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=114363.0

What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #776 on: October 27, 2021, 05:27:10 PM »
https://www.atp.gob.pa/asistencia-y-licencias/covid-19/
Thanks. Can’t read spanish, and cant figure out how to get in English. According to us embassies Panama site we are good. Things can change prior to us traveling so i will have to keep an eye on it.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #777 on: October 27, 2021, 05:36:43 PM »
We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn, right around the corner from Chabad, a block away from Jeffreys, and right near some falafel place.  No idea if Chabad is letting tourist in now and not sure which restaurants are still open but the hotel was great.  It's in my TR here:

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=114363.0

Awesome! Thank you



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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #778 on: October 27, 2021, 07:20:31 PM »
Thanks. Can’t read spanish, and cant figure out how to get in English. According to us embassies Panama site we are good. Things can change prior to us traveling so i will have to keep an eye on it.
Google translate works well. It's either vaccination or negative PCR.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #779 on: October 27, 2021, 07:21:17 PM »
We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn, right around the corner from Chabad, a block away from Jeffreys, and right near some falafel place.  No idea if Chabad is letting tourist in now and not sure which restaurants are still open but the hotel was great.  It's in my TR here:

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=114363.0
Beth El is resuming Shabbos morning meals next week. Chabad is open as far as I know.

Looks like both Darna locations are no longer :-\

I'll be there in 2 weeks and can report back.