Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 371943 times)

ethana · « **Reply #60 on:** January 03, 2016, 03:47:43 PM »

Lula or darna are delicious.

incendia · « **Reply #61 on:** January 03, 2016, 08:35:36 PM »

can you drink the milk in panama without a hechsher

ie is there cholav stam

whYME · « **Reply #62 on:** January 04, 2016, 12:55:31 AM »

Quote from: Something Fishy on January 03, 2016, 03:43:06 PM

That's what we did. Miraflores Locks and an great restaurant (can't remember the name - maybe whYME could chime in).

We also went to Ancon Hill, which was a bust due to weather but a good place to go otherwise.

The restaurant we went to was Pita Plus.

yuneeq · « **Reply #63 on:** January 04, 2016, 01:08:35 AM »

Quote from: incendia on December 17, 2015, 12:14:49 PM

Im going to be in Panama City for a week in mid-Jan anyone have suggestions on what I should,shouldn't do.

http://www.gamboaresort.com/default-en.html
This is a resort in Gamboa that also runs a bunch of fun tours
Monkey Island boat tour
Rainforest Gondola tour and more

-I managed to make an amazing day trip out of Contadora (Pearl Islands).
If I had a chance to redo it I would probably stay overnight.
-Rainbow bass fishing looks fun but I didn't do it.

-I didn't really tour cosco viejo but I drove through slowly and it wasn't interesting to me.

I'm gonna agree with Miraflores Locks and Multiplaza

jmk62110 · « **Reply #64 on:** January 04, 2016, 10:01:19 AM »

I went to Panama last week and I have some helpful information for anyone that needs for the upcoming January Break

Random Facts
----------------
- Currency is US Dollars and Balboas. (They are equal exchange so no need to change any money)
- Primary language is Spanish and a little tough at restaurants to get someone who understand broken English. All hotel personnel speak english.
- Renting a car they rent you a Wifi hotspot so you can use Waze while driving.
- Tough to drive around the city as there are no street sign so need to have someone navigate with you. A lot of roundabouts.
- Most place are extremely reasonably priced.

Hotel
-----------------
We stayed at 2 different hotels throughout our stay.

Trump in Panama City (2 nights) (Punta Pacifica)
-------------------------
Walkable to a bunch of restaurants. supermarket and a shul.

Westin Playa Bonita ( 2 nights)
-----------------------
20 minute drive outside the city.

Gorgeous resort with a bunch of pools and on the beach. Most people who go stay there the whole time because its an all-inclusive resort type place.

We bought food from the supermarket with us to the resort for breakfast and lunch and then drove into the city at night to go to mincha-maariv and to go out to eat.

Restaurant
---------------------
Kosher Dairy
1. Pita Pan (Pizza and Pasta) -Paitilla, Bal Harbour Mall, tel: 264-2786.- Pizza, dairy dishes, sushi and they have a bakery inside.
2. Metsuyan (Sushi and chinese) Paitilla, Bal Harbour Mall tel: 213-1314.
3. Darna Restaurant - Avenida Balboa, tel: 302-2989.-Right around the corner from trump (A good breakfast place as well)
4. Sabra - Paitilla, in front of Ball Harbour mall. Tel: 2030433- more upscale sit down dairy restaurant.
5. La Spezia (pizza), Obarrio Tel: 3969816- Didn't get to go there but heard they have great brick oven pizza
6. Jeffreys - Paitilla: 235-4591- We went there for breakfast. Very solid menu and all full blown dairy menu. Has a bakery and delicious pastries as well.
7. Coffe bean- Right next to Darna and right around the corner from trump. Usual coffee bean and under the LA Vaad.

Meat Restaurants
1. Prime Grill- Paitilla Bal Harbour Mall, tel: 263-2805- A Hapina/Grill Point type place.
2. Sababa (sandwiches)- Calle 47 bella vista entrando por Banesco local 3. Tel: 203-1081. Shawarma, burgers and other sandwiches.
3. Lula Restaurant - Obarrio, Calle Samuel Lewis, tel: 209-4820- Upscale meat restaurant. Fantastic food. Great appetizers, burgers and I had a fantastci steak as well. Like a nice NYC restaurant.
4. Pita plus - Paitilla Bal Harbour Mall, tel: 209-2048-Shawarma, burgers and other sandwiches.
5. Dr. Sandwich: Paitilla:203-4410

Super Markets- Both carry any kosher product you would want and both have restaurants in them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Deli K- Avenida Balboa, inside Multicentro Mall. Tel: 208-2818
2. Super Kosher- Paitilla, Calle Ramon Jurado tel: 263-5253.

Shuls
----------
Extremely strict security. Must bring passports.
Panama is extremely wealthy and there is very high security around the Jews and must be prepared to be asked a lot of questions before you are allowed in the shul

1. The "Shevet Ahim synagogue" located in the 44th street, Bella Vista.
2. We have another sepharadic synagogue called "Ahavat Sion" located in Paitilla.
3. We have another located in Punta Pacifica.

Things to do
------------------
Barefoot Panama has a ton of Tours to do and they pick you up at your hotel if you are in Panama City. (http://www.barefootpanama.com/) It does get pricey but its a good service.

We did Ziplining which was fantastic and gorgeous views. ($100/person)

Old City in Panama is a must

Coastal views- Can rent bikes or walk up and down along the water. Stunning views and also a must.

Panama Canal- We drove to the Miraflores locks of the canal and watched the educational video about it. They have a four story exhibit as well as observation decks where you can see the ships going through the canal and how the locks work. (i recommend it but do not do a boat tour, the regular visit is jsut fine).

A great trip without worrying about bringing a kosher piece of food with you.

Let me know if anyone has question.

ethana · « **Reply #65 on:** January 04, 2016, 10:06:15 AM »

I would add if you can get into the club hebreo there are some excellent kosher restaurants in there also

yakrot · « **Reply #66 on:** January 04, 2016, 10:10:10 AM »

Deli k is a lot bigger that super kosher and closer to the shuls. When I was there we did not realize that until our last night ( got thrown off by the name)

incendia · « **Reply #67 on:** January 04, 2016, 10:12:36 AM »

Quote from: incendia on January 03, 2016, 08:35:36 PM

can you drink the milk in panama without a hechsher

ie is there cholav stam

Bump

what were the locals drinking?

Denverite · « **Reply #68 on:** January 04, 2016, 07:13:12 PM »

Quote from: jmk62110 on January 04, 2016, 10:01:19 AM

I went to Panama last week and I have some helpful information for anyone that needs for the upcoming January Break

Random Facts
----------------
- Currency is US Dollars and Balboas. (They are equal exchange so no need to change any money)
- Primary language is Spanish and a little tough at restaurants to get someone who understand broken English. All hotel personnel speak english.
- Renting a car they rent you a Wifi hotspot so you can use Waze while driving.
- Tough to drive around the city as there are no street sign so need to have someone navigate with you. A lot of roundabouts.
- Most place are extremely reasonably priced.

Hotel
-----------------
We stayed at 2 different hotels throughout our stay.

Trump in Panama City (2 nights) (Punta Pacifica)
-------------------------
Walkable to a bunch of restaurants. supermarket and a shul.

Westin Playa Bonita ( 2 nights)
-----------------------
20 minute drive outside the city.

Gorgeous resort with a bunch of pools and on the beach. Most people who go stay there the whole time because its an all-inclusive resort type place.

We bought food from the supermarket with us to the resort for breakfast and lunch and then drove into the city at night to go to mincha-maariv and to go out to eat.

Restaurant
---------------------
Kosher Dairy
1. Pita Pan (Pizza and Pasta) -Paitilla, Bal Harbour Mall, tel: 264-2786.- Pizza, dairy dishes, sushi and they have a bakery inside.
2. Metsuyan (Sushi and chinese) Paitilla, Bal Harbour Mall tel: 213-1314.
3. Darna Restaurant - Avenida Balboa, tel: 302-2989.-Right around the corner from trump (A good breakfast place as well)
4. Sabra - Paitilla, in front of Ball Harbour mall. Tel: 2030433- more upscale sit down dairy restaurant.
5. La Spezia (pizza), Obarrio Tel: 3969816- Didn't get to go there but heard they have great brick oven pizza
6. Jeffreys - Paitilla: 235-4591- We went there for breakfast. Very solid menu and all full blown dairy menu. Has a bakery and delicious pastries as well.
7. Coffe bean- Right next to Darna and right around the corner from trump. Usual coffee bean and under the LA Vaad.

Meat Restaurants
1. Prime Grill- Paitilla Bal Harbour Mall, tel: 263-2805- A Hapina/Grill Point type place.
2. Sababa (sandwiches)- Calle 47 bella vista entrando por Banesco local 3. Tel: 203-1081. Shawarma, burgers and other sandwiches.
3. Lula Restaurant - Obarrio, Calle Samuel Lewis, tel: 209-4820- Upscale meat restaurant. Fantastic food. Great appetizers, burgers and I had a fantastci steak as well. Like a nice NYC restaurant.
4. Pita plus - Paitilla Bal Harbour Mall, tel: 209-2048-Shawarma, burgers and other sandwiches.
5. Dr. Sandwich: Paitilla:203-4410

Super Markets- Both carry any kosher product you would want and both have restaurants in them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Deli K- Avenida Balboa, inside Multicentro Mall. Tel: 208-2818
2. Super Kosher- Paitilla, Calle Ramon Jurado tel: 263-5253.

Shuls
----------
Extremely strict security. Must bring passports.
Panama is extremely wealthy and there is very high security around the Jews and must be prepared to be asked a lot of questions before you are allowed in the shul

1. The "Shevet Ahim synagogue" located in the 44th street, Bella Vista.
2. We have another sepharadic synagogue called "Ahavat Sion" located in Paitilla.
3. We have another located in Punta Pacifica.

Things to do
------------------
Barefoot Panama has a ton of Tours to do and they pick you up at your hotel if you are in Panama City. (http://www.barefootpanama.com/) It does get pricey but its a good service.

We did Ziplining which was fantastic and gorgeous views. ($100/person)

Old City in Panama is a must

Coastal views- Can rent bikes or walk up and down along the water. Stunning views and also a must.

Panama Canal- We drove to the Miraflores locks of the canal and watched the educational video about it. They have a four story exhibit as well as observation decks where you can see the ships going through the canal and how the locks work. (i recommend it but do not do a boat tour, the regular visit is jsut fine).

A great trip without worrying about bringing a kosher piece of food with you.

Let me know if anyone has question.

Thanks for the mini-trip report, had a trip planned for mid-winter but had to cancel but it's at the top of my list for next year! Also, I knew about a lot of the restaurants but had no idea about a kosher Coffee Bean so thanks for that info too.

Srsy · « **Reply #69 on:** January 07, 2016, 08:01:15 AM »

What is the closest hotel walking distance to a shul?

jmk62110 · « **Reply #70 on:** January 07, 2016, 10:25:45 AM »

If you stay at Trump its walking distance to Punta Pacifica Shul and can do meals at Chabd which is also walking distance.

Srsy · « **Reply #71 on:** January 07, 2016, 11:37:54 AM »

Any SPG hotels within waking distance to the shul?

mgarfin · « **Reply #72 on:** January 07, 2016, 11:56:31 AM »

Quote from: ethana on January 04, 2016, 10:06:15 AM

I would add if you can get into the club hebreo there are some excellent kosher restaurants in there also

What is club hebreo?

yuneeq · « **Reply #73 on:** January 07, 2016, 02:16:05 PM »

Quote from: Srsy on January 07, 2016, 11:37:54 AM

Any SPG hotels within waking distance to the shul?

Yeh the Le Meridien

rileywiles23 · « **Reply #74 on:** January 07, 2016, 04:44:39 PM »

What activities can I do with a 10 month old ?

Denverite · « **Reply #75 on:** January 07, 2016, 11:25:57 PM »

Quote from: mgarfin on January 07, 2016, 11:56:31 AM

What is club hebreo?

It's their equivalent of a JCC and I think it has a meat and a dairy restaurant but from what I understand you either have to have someone vouch for you, have an Israeli passport or a stamp from Israel in your passport to get past the tight security.

Denverite · « **Reply #76 on:** January 07, 2016, 11:26:36 PM »

Quote from: incendia on January 04, 2016, 10:12:36 AM

Bump

what were the locals drinking?

Bump again, I also want to know about chalav stam there...

Srsy · « **Reply #77 on:** February 03, 2016, 10:48:58 PM »

Any restaurants open on Chol Hamoed Pesach?

zow · « **Reply #78 on:** February 03, 2016, 11:11:42 PM »

I had absolutely no idea there was any kind of Jewish Community in Panama, let alone a good number of kosher eating options (considerably more than Boston, though I recognize it's not saying much). Really glad I happened on this thread. Seeing the Panama canal has been on my bucket list, but now it's way up there. Thanks to jmk62110 and others who contributed here.

gsquared · « **Reply #79 on:** February 04, 2016, 12:14:26 PM »

We went to Club Hebreo and ate at the dairy restaurant. It was really very well done. Excellent food, service and prices. We did have to show passports(US) and it took about 10 minutes for them to check us out etc.

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Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 371943 times)