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 299906 times)

Offline whYME

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #200 on: October 18, 2017, 03:51:59 PM »
...and that reminds me: we saw Panama Viejo from the road. I thought of you and laughed.

Sorry ;D.
lol

Offline chuchem

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #201 on: February 02, 2018, 09:42:02 AM »
going on sunday for 10 days. If anyone has some last minute advice feel free :-)

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #202 on: February 03, 2018, 11:18:06 AM »
going on sunday for 10 days. If anyone has some last minute advice feel free :-)

Download the Kosher PTY app...it was very helpful to us and I hope you have a blast with your family!

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #203 on: February 05, 2018, 05:01:51 PM »
This will be so cool if/when it gets approved, only 40k UA in F http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/02/05/air-china-houston-panama/
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #204 on: February 05, 2018, 09:47:31 PM »
This will be so cool if/when it gets approved, only 40k UA in F http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/02/05/air-china-houston-panama/

Yes, I was also so excited!

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #205 on: February 05, 2018, 10:31:17 PM »
Yes, I was also so excited!
Yep, I definitely think I'm going to try to take a trip there this year if this goes through.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #206 on: February 06, 2018, 07:42:30 AM »
going on sunday for 10 days. If anyone has some last minute advice feel free :-)

Enjoy every moment. The country is beautiful. The people are friendly. It's really humid there like you can't believe, so bring water everywhere.

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #207 on: February 06, 2018, 07:53:27 PM »
Anyone know of any pesach programs in Panama

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #208 on: February 07, 2018, 12:53:55 PM »
Anyone know of any pesach programs in Panama

I’ve seen at the JW marriott. They may be with Kitniyot though, primarily catering to the local Sephardic Community. Panama is the place to go NOT on Pesach though to enjoy the restaurants!

Offline efi

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #209 on: February 14, 2018, 01:44:23 PM »
I'm planning a trip to Panama, i want to visit Bocas del Toro. what is the easiest way to get there from Panama City? and what about kosher food there? is it a good idea to stay there for shabbos? Has anyone been there? any advice?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #210 on: February 14, 2018, 05:00:29 PM »
I'm planning a trip to Panama, i want to visit Bocas del Toro. what is the easiest way to get there from Panama City? and what about kosher food there? is it a good idea to stay there for shabbos? Has anyone been there? any advice?
Direct flight from albrook (PAC) airport with airPanama

Offline zow

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #211 on: April 23, 2018, 11:32:21 AM »
Doing some advance planning for possible 2019 trip to Panama City.
Would like to use Marriott Cat 1-5 certificate.
Works at the Sortis.  Per Dan's post last week, likely to work at Le Meridien, as well.
Key consideration for us is the pool, as our daughters plan to spend much time there.
Which would you choose?
@Denverite ?
@saw50st8
@chuchem

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #212 on: April 23, 2018, 11:34:34 AM »
Doing some advance planning for possible 2019 trip to Panama City.
Would like to use Marriott Cat 1-5 certificate.
Works at the Sortis.  Per Dan's post last week, likely to work at Le Meridien, as well.
Key consideration for us is the pool, as our daughters plan to spend much time there.
Which would you choose?
@Denverite ?
@saw50st8
@chuchem


I stayed at the Marriott. The hotel was very nice, nice pool but I personally wouldn't recommend the Hotel (it was a pointsaver hotel when I booked so really few points). It's not really near anything. It worked for us but wasn't amazing in any way.

We passed by Le Meridien and from the outside it was beautiful. We went to the restaurant downstairs at the Sortis and the hotel had a really funky vibe.

Offline zow

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #213 on: April 23, 2018, 11:37:23 AM »
I stayed at the Marriott. The hotel was very nice, nice pool but I personally wouldn't recommend the Hotel (it was a pointsaver hotel when I booked so really few points). It's not really near anything. It worked for us but wasn't amazing in any way.

We passed by Le Meridien and from the outside it was beautiful. We went to the restaurant downstairs at the Sortis and the hotel had a really funky vibe.
Nice, thanks, so Le Meridien and Sortis are both still in the running!

Offline saw50st8

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #214 on: April 23, 2018, 12:13:50 PM »
Nice, thanks, so Le Meridien and Sortis are both still in the running!

If it matters to you, I think Le Meridien has a better view (it's on Balboa Ave) and closer to more restaurants. But there are definitely restaurants near the Sortis too.

I absolutely loved Panama. You'll have a great time. I hope to bring my kids back one day.

Offline zow

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #215 on: April 23, 2018, 07:33:50 PM »
If it matters to you, I think Le Meridien has a better view (it's on Balboa Ave) and closer to more restaurants. But there are definitely restaurants near the Sortis too.

I absolutely loved Panama. You'll have a great time. I hope to bring my kids back one day.
With your TR and the one from @Denverite, we are sold.  Can’t wait to go. Thanks.

Offline chuchem

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #216 on: April 24, 2018, 06:30:48 AM »
I didnt finish my tripreport
We loved the sortis and having a kosher sushi pizza restaurant in the lobby is a huge plus
Also aria and kava the 2 best restaurants are 2 min walk

Offline zow

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #217 on: April 24, 2018, 07:30:21 PM »
I didnt finish my tripreport
We loved the sortis and having a kosher sushi pizza restaurant in the lobby is a huge plus
Also aria and kava the 2 best restaurants are 2 min walk
Compelling. 
So, is Sortis in the Eruv?
Also, what did you think of its pool?
Thanks very much. 

Offline Shlomo1986

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #218 on: April 25, 2018, 11:52:06 AM »
How is Panama weather in August? and if I had to choose between Costa Rica and Panama for 4 days from NYC which one would be more recommended.

Offline tzvicoco

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #219 on: April 29, 2018, 09:04:40 PM »
Anybody been to Bocas del Toro?