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 300015 times)

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #340 on: January 24, 2019, 08:51:24 AM »
Same one. Lula by Darna ( meat) is walkable from Sortis. And there’s the sister   place called Darna behind the JW Marriot. It’s dairy.
That's what I'm most surprised about, I absolutely despised the side that I got from Lula, and the main didn't come close to Aria.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline travellove

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 121
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #341 on: January 24, 2019, 11:02:28 AM »
Would anyone know which dairy restaurants are Cholov Yisroel and which are not?

Thanks all for your help. 

Offline Aron27

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 160
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #342 on: January 24, 2019, 03:51:03 PM »
Would anyone know which dairy restaurants are Cholov Yisroel and which are not?
Thanks all for your help.
My experience was that you can get CY in most restaurants on request. Most of the time it was possible except sometimes the creamer for a cream sauce was not available.

Offline E R K

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 1251
  • Total likes: 50
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #343 on: January 24, 2019, 05:37:07 PM »
Interesting. Dont know. Did you get a quote from her for monkey Island and Anton Valley?

I realize that maybe she quoted you higher because you are 2 people. We were 4. Did not do Anton Valley but did Panama Canal, monkey Island, Old city and drove through the Causeay. We were able to do a lot because everyone left town because the Pope is here.

Offline Denverite

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 2006
  • Total likes: 181
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Denver
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #344 on: January 24, 2019, 10:41:25 PM »
I realize that maybe she quoted you higher because you are 2 people. We were 4. Did not do Anton Valley but did Panama Canal, monkey Island, Old city and drove through the Causeay. We were able to do a lot because everyone left town because the Pope is here.

Was it crazy with closed roads and things for the pope’s visit?

Offline Denverite

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 2006
  • Total likes: 181
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Denver
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #345 on: January 24, 2019, 10:45:18 PM »
That's what I'm most surprised about, I absolutely despised the side that I got from Lula, and the main didn't come close to Aria.

We went to Lula and we thought it was perfectly fine Israeli style food (but I live in Denver with one meat restaurant)   :P I just loved everything about Aria, from the random and cool cocktails, monogrammed cloth napkins and creative and delicious food.

Offline E R K

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 1251
  • Total likes: 50
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #346 on: January 25, 2019, 03:36:23 AM »
Maybe Lula’s changed menu cuz we got beef empenadas, Rib eye in wine sauce, baby back ribs, beef Wellington,  and banana crumble for dessert.

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #347 on: January 25, 2019, 05:05:30 AM »


I just loved everything about Aria, from the random and cool cocktails, monogrammed cloth napkins and creative and delicious food.
This.

It was the first thing I did when I got to Panama, maybe I set my own bar too high.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Denverite

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 2006
  • Total likes: 181
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Denver
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #348 on: January 25, 2019, 10:18:24 AM »
Maybe Lula’s changed menu cuz we got beef empenadas, Rib eye in wine sauce, baby back ribs, beef Wellington,  and banana crumble for dessert.

You know what, I never thought of that.  We went for lunch and they had a number of limited choices off their "business lunch" menu, which were a great deal but we probably missed out on their better dishes and more creative food, than if we had gone for dinner.

Offline dvol

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 324
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #349 on: January 29, 2019, 01:42:36 PM »
When people refer to a tour of the rainforest, do you mean Gamboa? Is it a tour by boat? I'm so confused as I asked Sorhay about a tour of the Gamboa Rainforest and her response was that it was a resort, not a tour.

Offline mliebs1457

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 156
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #350 on: January 29, 2019, 04:24:10 PM »
I'm looking at booking a 8.5 hour stop in PTY before continuing to JFK. Is that enough for the basics? What wud that leave me time to do ?

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #351 on: January 29, 2019, 04:24:57 PM »
I'm looking at booking a 8.5 hour stop in PTY before continuing to JFK. Is that enough for the basics? What wud that leave me time to do ?
Not much you can do in 8.5 hours.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline mliebs1457

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 156
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #352 on: January 29, 2019, 04:25:41 PM »
What can I see in 8.5? What wud u suggest is the minimum ?

Offline mliebs1457

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 156
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #353 on: January 29, 2019, 04:26:25 PM »
I'm trying to build in a long connection from HAV to JFK but copa availability even in Y is really wacky

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #354 on: January 29, 2019, 04:26:31 PM »
What can I see in 8.5? What wud u suggest is the minimum ?
Food ;)
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline saw50st8

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 334
  • Total likes: 130
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #355 on: January 30, 2019, 08:07:24 AM »
I'm looking at booking a 8.5 hour stop in PTY before continuing to JFK. Is that enough for the basics? What wud that leave me time to do ?

Very little. You could see the Panama Canal but it's not enough time to actually take a boat ride. I would hire a driver to take you around since they are cheap and you'll see a lot more that way. I used Almiza Tours (my friend mario). They do airport pickup and dropoffs so it would be easy/

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #356 on: January 30, 2019, 08:18:18 AM »


You could see the Panama Canal but it's not enough time to actually take a boat ride.
I'd rather see a picture of the Eifel Tower than go to see the Panama Canal. There is nothing to see without a tour.

(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline saw50st8

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 334
  • Total likes: 130
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #357 on: January 30, 2019, 08:38:56 AM »
I'd rather see a picture of the Eifel Tower than go to see the Panama Canal. There is nothing to see without a tour.



I think seeing boats go through the locks and learning how they work is pretty cool, but I'm an engineer who traveled with an engineer so....

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #358 on: January 30, 2019, 12:36:57 PM »
I think seeing boats go through the locks and learning how they work is pretty cool, but I'm an engineer who traveled with an engineer so....
You don't learn how they work without a tour, or being an engineer...
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline E R K

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 1251
  • Total likes: 50
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #359 on: January 30, 2019, 01:29:02 PM »
You don't learn how they work without a tour, or being an engineer...

The museum tells how it works