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 299884 times)

Offline SRM

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #180 on: July 26, 2017, 03:02:17 PM »
Is there a nice hotel that is also very close to the Shuls. Most of the hotels listed are about a 25 minute walk.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #181 on: July 26, 2017, 03:27:51 PM »
The Hilton, Le Meridian and Waldorf Astoria are all just a couple blocks from the Shevet Achim shul.  If you want to go to shul in Paitilla, that is a different story...

Offline chuchem

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #182 on: July 26, 2017, 04:30:18 PM »
just checked on google map. seems both shuls are about a 25 min walk from the sortis... doable, but not close

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #183 on: July 26, 2017, 07:32:54 PM »
just checked on google map. seems both shuls are about a 25 min walk from the sortis... doable, but not close

Were those in Paitilla?  The community originally started in the Obarrio disctrict but maybe they've all kind of moved (like how there isn't a big community now in the Lower East Side).  Even the huge Shevet Ahim shul we went to was like less than a quarter full and they have opened offshoot locations in Paitilla and Punta Pacifica where everyone is moving.

Offline chuchem

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #184 on: July 27, 2017, 07:29:02 AM »
Were those in Paitilla?  The community originally started in the Obarrio disctrict but maybe they've all kind of moved (like how there isn't a big community now in the Lower East Side).  Even the huge Shevet Ahim shul we went to was like less than a quarter full and they have opened offshoot locations in Paitilla and Punta Pacifica where everyone is moving.

For someone that has never been there you are using some fancy expressions
I have no idea. I just google maped chabad and shevet achim. both about 25-30 min walk
Not so much fun in the heat. Always a option to eat shabbes lunch at hotel and friday night its only a oneway walk and not as hot

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #185 on: July 27, 2017, 07:39:18 AM »
For someone that has never been there you are using some fancy expressions
I have no idea. I just google maped chabad and shevet achim. both about 25-30 min walk
Not so much fun in the heat. Always a option to eat shabbes lunch at hotel and friday night its only a oneway walk and not as hot

Shevet Achim has a really nice sit down kiddush lunch. We walked it from the Marriott and it wasn't so bad.

Offline SRM

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #186 on: July 27, 2017, 08:37:30 AM »
Is the milk in Panama considered kosher. Outside of kosher restaurants, such as coffee shops. Obviously it's not cholov yisroel but is it kosher to drink (like in America vs. Italy where it's not)

Offline Yordai Dooma

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #187 on: July 27, 2017, 08:59:21 AM »
will be there in feb with my kids for 10 days and booked the sortis. They have a sale for a 1 bedroom suite 220 dollars a night incl 60 dollar daily credit. Think thats a great rate, i booked 2 of these rooms, that will give the 8 of us enough space
I am still considering if i should stay 10 days in the sortis or only sun-sun and then go to a beach resort somewere for 3 days....
would even consider a 1 night san blas catamaran cruise, but not sure how doable this is with 6 little kids. didnt spend time yet on checking all out, but thanks for thr tr  that really helps
What places are close to the sortis, were i can eat and daven shabbes?
what can the daily credit be used for?

Offline chuchem

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #188 on: July 27, 2017, 09:02:15 AM »
Shevet Achim has a really nice sit down kiddush lunch. We walked it from the Marriott and it wasn't so bad.

The sortis is almost double... Dont know if its worth it with 1 hour walking...

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #189 on: July 27, 2017, 09:04:11 AM »
what can the daily credit be used for?
Spa or Restaurants... Unfortunatly not Kava... not sure about minibar...

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #190 on: July 27, 2017, 11:55:59 AM »
Spa or Restaurants... Unfortunatly not Kava... not sure about minibar...
Did you book it already?
Did they charge it the card now or when you check in/out?
wondering in terms of booking it with the Barclays Arrival and then applying the points. I would need to spend a bit on the card to earn enough points to cover it.

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #191 on: July 27, 2017, 12:29:26 PM »
The sortis is almost double... Dont know if its worth it with 1 hour walking...

The sortis is 10 minutes from the Marriott. At least, 2 adults walking.

As to whether or not it's worth it, that's a personal choice. I really enjoyed the experience.

I know a few people who stayed in the Trump Towers, which is very close to the shul.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #192 on: July 27, 2017, 05:30:23 PM »
For someone that has never been there you are using some fancy expressions
I have no idea. I just google maped chabad and shevet achim. both about 25-30 min walk
Not so much fun in the heat. Always a option to eat shabbes lunch at hotel and friday night its only a oneway walk and not as hot

If you just zoom out all those neighborhoods show up on google maps.  Shevet Achim and chabad are opposite directions and Sortis is in the middle.

Shevet Achim has a really nice sit down kiddush lunch. We walked it from the Marriott and it wasn't so bad.

Just want to warn people there isn't always kiddush there.  They didn't have when we went or a month earlier when friends were there.

Offline sky121

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #193 on: August 27, 2017, 05:59:17 PM »
For those that have visited - What are the top two hotels you would recommend? No need to be close to a shul.  Close to kosher food would be helpful.
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #194 on: August 27, 2017, 10:24:58 PM »
For those that have visited - What are the top two hotels you would recommend? No need to be close to a shul.  Close to kosher food would be helpful.

Does it need to be on points?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #195 on: August 27, 2017, 10:25:35 PM »
Does it need to be on points?
Pref. But I'm willing to hear all options.
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #196 on: August 27, 2017, 10:30:34 PM »
I stayed at the Hilton and found the location all around great (you can read my TR for details) and the Le Meridian is right next door.  Next stay still most likely be at the Sortis with Marriott with a restaurants inside and two other ones right around the corner.  If not on points, others have loved Trump Towers, which is also close to all the restaurants in Paitilla.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #197 on: October 18, 2017, 03:14:03 PM »
There's a short Panama TR posted towards the end of my Honduras TR, if anyone's interested.

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=81038.msg1817484#msg1817484
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Offline whYME

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #198 on: October 18, 2017, 03:43:44 PM »
That reminds me, I don't think we ever linked my little jaunt into Panama from the Cuba TR here:

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=65070.msg1592118#msg1592118

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #199 on: October 18, 2017, 03:49:14 PM »
That reminds me, I don't think we ever linked my little jaunt into Panama from the Cuba TR here:

...and that reminds me: we saw Panama Viejo from the road. I thought of you and laughed.

Sorry ;D.
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