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 299955 times)

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #440 on: August 07, 2019, 03:58:07 PM »
I only see reports from the JW Marriott as being Shabbos friendly.  Does anyone have experience with any other hotels over Shabbos?  In particular we are considering the Hilton but would consider any others near shul with suites.
thanks!

If you look in my TR, we stayed in the Hilton and it was great for Shabbos but we went to Shevet Achim, which was very close. 

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #441 on: August 07, 2019, 05:09:18 PM »
yup, I knew that and forgot - and it somehow did not show up in my search. I did go back and quickly checked the report but I didn't see many details about how Shabbos friendly it was and what issues you encountered, if any.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2019, 05:13:02 PM by Ploni3 »

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #442 on: August 07, 2019, 08:00:16 PM »
would it make sense to go next week? with all the rain in the forecast...

IIRC it rains like every day in the summer but only for like 2 hours max.
Visibly Jewish

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #443 on: August 07, 2019, 09:58:51 PM »
IIRC it rains like every day in the summer but only for like 2 hours max.

+1 was there in rainy season and it was quick downpour daily but I thought it was great because it felt cooler and prefer cloudy skies to the sun beating down on me.

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #444 on: August 08, 2019, 09:29:51 AM »
If you look in my TR, we stayed in the Hilton and it was great for Shabbos but we went to Shevet Achim, which was very close.
So no Shabbos issues?

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #445 on: August 08, 2019, 10:22:29 AM »
Has anyone had experience staying in a Marriott Executive Apartments? I am going with my husband and four kids so I need more space and the Marriott Apartments has the best price for a suite.

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #446 on: August 08, 2019, 01:28:45 PM »
Has anyone had experience staying in a Marriott Executive Apartments? I am going with my husband and four kids so I need more space and the Marriott Apartments has the best price for a suite.

Maybe @saw50st8 ?

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #447 on: August 08, 2019, 04:59:21 PM »
I’ll be happy to help if needed.

If I book a hotel on the Marriott app for $100/night and then find a better rate $90/night within the 24 hours of booking and they match the price and give 25% off, can I cancel the reservation a month or so later if I see an even lower price of $80/night and then rebook with Marriott and get the same matching offer?

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #448 on: August 08, 2019, 06:05:00 PM »
If I book a hotel on the Marriott app for $100/night and then find a better rate $90/night within the 24 hours of booking and they match the price and give 25% off, can I cancel the reservation a month or so later if I see an even lower price of $80/night and then rebook with Marriott and get the same matching offer?
If it’s refundable then you definitely can! And even if it isn’t refundable you can call them up and ask to cancel your reservation it usually works..

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #449 on: August 08, 2019, 06:08:23 PM »
If it’s refundable then you definitely can! And even if it isn’t refundable you can call them up and ask to cancel your reservation it usually works..
Actually before you cancel, why don’t you try to submit another BestRateGuarantee form that should work as well.

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #450 on: August 09, 2019, 10:31:52 AM »
Hi, I'm planning a trip to Panama with 3 children ages 3,5, &7.
We were initially planning to go from sun-tues. After reading many trip reports I'm getting the feeling that sun-sun is enough.
wanted to hear others opinion.
so far we've made the following schedule:
sun- travel day
Mon - explore city, pool, cosco viejo
tue - jungle tour - indian village
wed- san perlas island
thur - chill day, mall
fri - canal and monkey island
sun - travel day


if we were to fly out monday instead of sunday due to flight availability what should we do on sunday?
Thanks

Aslo, anyone have info of tours for Las Perlas Islands?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #451 on: August 11, 2019, 01:34:39 AM »
Hi, I'm planning a trip to Panama with 3 children ages 3,5, &7.
We were initially planning to go from sun-tues. After reading many trip reports I'm getting the feeling that sun-sun is enough.
wanted to hear others opinion.
so far we've made the following schedule:
sun- travel day
Mon - explore city, pool, cosco viejo
tue - jungle tour - indian village
wed- san perlas island
thur - chill day, mall
fri - canal and monkey island
sun - travel day


if we were to fly out monday instead of sunday due to flight availability what should we do on sunday?
Thanks

Aslo, anyone have info of tours for Las Perlas Islands?

You could go to the national zoo and see the Harpy Eagle with your kids on Sunday. We did that as a not want to spend a ton of money, lazy day and the kids liked it (I never finished my TR to add pictures of that part). Can’t remember the name of the company but we had Ilene was our tour guide in Las Perlas. My husband’s hadn’t arrived in Panama yet and she was a huge help to me as I went alone with my kids to Las Perlas and she even snorkeled with my older ones as I stayed with my little one on the island. Her company name is in my TR.

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #452 on: August 11, 2019, 02:18:15 AM »
Hi, I'm planning a trip to Panama with 3 children ages 3,5, &7.
We were initially planning to go from sun-tues. After reading many trip reports I'm getting the feeling that sun-sun is enough.
wanted to hear others opinion.
so far we've made the following schedule:
sun- travel day
Mon - explore city, pool, cosco viejo
tue - jungle tour - indian village
wed- san perlas island
thur - chill day, mall
fri - canal and monkey island
sun - travel day


if we were to fly out monday instead of sunday due to flight availability what should we do on sunday?
Thanks

Aslo, anyone have info of tours for Las Perlas Islands?
Are you taking a tour guide for the jungle tour? If so which company?

Offline TripsPls

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #453 on: August 11, 2019, 02:00:52 PM »
Has anyone ever stayed at Hotel Las Americas Golden Tower Panama?
Sounds like Sortis Hotel is not close to any shuls for Shabbos stays?

Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #454 on: August 11, 2019, 04:27:42 PM »
Has anyone ever stayed at Hotel Las Americas Golden Tower Panama?
Sounds like Sortis Hotel is not close to any shuls for Shabbos stays?
I had the same issue
I ended up booking Le Meridian which is in the eruv and between the 2 shuls.
Same Cat 3 so was able to use a 7 night cert
Arriving tomorrow.

Offline TripsPls

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #455 on: August 11, 2019, 05:22:59 PM »
Hotel Las Americas Golden Tower Panama Looks really nice but I haven’t seen anyone say they stayed there. Always makes me worried. Is Sortis not in the Eruv?

Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #456 on: August 11, 2019, 05:25:11 PM »
Hotel Las Americas Golden Tower Panama Looks really nice but I haven’t seen anyone say they stayed there. Always makes me worried. Is Sortis not in the Eruv?
nope.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #457 on: August 11, 2019, 06:29:04 PM »
How can you tell which hotels are within the Eruv?

Offline tdb

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Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #459 on: August 11, 2019, 06:55:20 PM »
Sorheys is fully booked this week.
Are there any other guides that are recommended?