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 299948 times)

Offline brotha123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #280 on: July 30, 2018, 11:20:29 PM »
I'm in for a treat ;)
The forecast means nothing ....
It rains or drizzles every day but a lot of the time for 5-10 minutes.
It's not LA or Arizona weather but iv been here for 5 days and it's been fine. Verrry humid and Iv forced myself to get used to it... Food here is great, nice people,and transportation is cheap.. it's something different!

Offline ludmila

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #281 on: July 30, 2018, 11:55:26 PM »
The forecast means nothing ....
It rains or drizzles every day but a lot of the time for 5-10 minutes.
It's not LA or Arizona weather but iv been here for 5 days and it's been fine. Verrry humid and Iv forced myself to get used to it... Food here is great, nice people,and transportation is cheap.. it's something different!
Is it more humid than Florida?
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline brotha123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #282 on: July 31, 2018, 12:31:11 AM »
Is it more humid than Florida?
Yes..
I was in Florida last week and then came straight here.. definitely more humid in panama..

Offline brotha123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #283 on: July 31, 2018, 12:31:46 AM »
But I hate humidity and I didn't feel like it was unbearable...

Offline ludmila

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #284 on: July 31, 2018, 02:46:38 AM »
But I hate humidity and I didn't feel like it was unbearable...
Thanks, me too, that is why I asked.
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #285 on: July 31, 2018, 09:42:38 PM »
But I hate humidity and I didn't feel like it was unbearable...

Agreed. Was there last month. Florida I think gets hotter, it doesn’t really get above 85 there.

Offline lafindumonde

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #286 on: August 01, 2018, 11:12:37 AM »
Where is the best place to buy prepared food for Shabbat?  Grocery store?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #287 on: August 01, 2018, 11:22:45 AM »
Where is the best place to buy prepared food for Shabbat?  Grocery store?

I'd say from Deli K Supermarket (and they also have a meat restaurant inside that you will see has tons of takeout orders for Friday afternoon)

Offline lafindumonde

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #288 on: August 01, 2018, 11:29:58 AM »
I take it you don't have to order in advance?

Offline Shlomo1986

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #289 on: August 02, 2018, 03:41:01 PM »
Any idea on what type of weather to expect in Panama in late August? Does rain season mean rain all day or just spotty showers?

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #290 on: August 07, 2018, 02:16:04 PM »
Are there any beaches close to Panama City?
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #291 on: August 10, 2018, 05:45:51 PM »
Made some small edits to Wiki.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline GAM Z.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #292 on: August 12, 2018, 04:43:00 AM »
Made some small edits to Wiki.
Thank You!

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #293 on: August 12, 2018, 08:44:56 AM »
Weather forecast calls for thunderstorms - does it mean I should not book San Blas?

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #294 on: August 12, 2018, 08:49:21 AM »
Weather forecast calls for thunderstorms - does it mean I should not book San Blas?
They always call for thunderstorms, it was supposed to rain all 3 days I was there, yet I barely saw any rain.
With that being said I don't know how the rain effects a trip to San Blas (I assume you can't go) but do you lose anything by booking it?
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #295 on: August 12, 2018, 10:41:57 AM »
Any tips for shopping for gifts to bring home? Not interested in malls, more interested in flea market type place.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #296 on: August 22, 2018, 02:27:33 PM »
Any tips for shopping for gifts to bring home? Not interested in malls, more interested in flea market type place.

There are some places like this with lots of touristy and "indigenous" stuff that you can bargain for in Casco Viejo.  Also a kosher frozen yogurt nearby so can make a little afternoon of it. :)

Offline Yordai Dooma

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #297 on: October 15, 2018, 01:37:40 PM »
Spa is just really nice ..dry and wet sauna separate for men and women. Has a mini pool with massaging jet lounges...
Booked on someone else's Platinum account for the upgrade
Did you pay for anything at the spa? Im curious the prices...
Ive stayed at the Sortis before and enjoyed it.

Im debating staying there again (there is still a deal for $220/night for a 1br suite, which comes with a $100 non-cumulative credit per night towards the spa).
My alternatives are the Le Meridian- which doesnt look like it has a nice pool or the Westin Playa Bonita. I have friends who stayed there and loved it.

Offline Sammie

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #298 on: November 22, 2018, 01:18:19 PM »
HI,

Thank you all for your input, it is very helpful!

1. Any suggestions on where to stay? We are not going to sit at the beach all day but do want to get some relaxing beach time. Should we stay at the Sortis for 4 nights with day trips to the beach or stay on the beach for 2 of the nights? If going to the beach -  Is the beach at the Westin Playa Bonita nice enough or should we go two hours out to Playa Santa Clara for 2 nights?

2. Are the dairy restaurants Cholov Yisrael? Is there any way to know before going? I did not notice CY listed on the Kosher PTY app.

3. Do we need to make plans before arriving at Contadora Island or can we decide there and join a group tour or rent a private boat?


Thanks for all your help!!

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #299 on: November 22, 2018, 01:20:01 PM »
Panama isn't a beach town
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch