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 299972 times)

Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #480 on: August 13, 2019, 01:12:49 PM »

Offline zow

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Offline yuneeq

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #482 on: August 13, 2019, 02:39:30 PM »
trying to book a OW flight
What are the airport codes?
I tried putting in PAC-OTD and it says it's not valid

That's the route I flew (though they made an unexpected stopover in SIC).
Visibly Jewish

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #483 on: August 13, 2019, 02:42:31 PM »
That's the route I flew (though they made an unexpected stopover in SIC).

I flew Air Panama, but this was 2015. The hotel helped me book and it seems to have been booked through Air Panama website.
Visibly Jewish

Offline tdb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #484 on: August 13, 2019, 02:45:23 PM »
does not seem to be working now. I think ferry service was also canceled.  There was a ferry from the pier behind JW Marriott to Pearl Islands.

Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #485 on: August 13, 2019, 03:14:46 PM »
not sure why you're encountering trouble
https://www.google.com/flights/#flt=BOS.PTY.2019-08-29;c:USD;e:1;s:0;sd:1;t:f;tt:o&spf=1565720225129
trying to book Panama City to Las perlas
Guess will go by ferry RT

Offline tdb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #486 on: August 13, 2019, 03:17:59 PM »
which ferry are you taking?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #487 on: August 13, 2019, 03:38:22 PM »
$795 for 6 people for Anton valley tour (10 hours)
$795 for monkey Island + Embrera village tour (12 hours)

@Denverite is that a lot more then what you paid?

That sounds slightly more.  Not anything to do with her, but in general, after a certain point, I'd just ask for a daily rate, depending on when it is she might say yes, or she might be swamped with business and say no.  If it's soon and she's not gonna fill it, she might give you a discount.  I don't know if she pays the Embrera pp or just for the boat.  Also, $795 is a lot but to get Monkey Island and Embrera in one day is cool, we did them as two separate days and may have paid slightly more total.  I'd maybe just ask if she could give you the 5yr old free and see what she says.  Doesn't hurt to ask...

Offline tdb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #488 on: August 13, 2019, 04:00:48 PM »
This is my invoice from her for 2 adults and 4 kids:

The invoice of $747.50 + 10% = $822.25 taxes has been sent and it will come from Paguelo Facil, panamanian credit card processing company. 

Date requested:

Airport transfer

Airp transfer
copa - JW Marriott
$70 + 10% taxes (fully paid)

Private monkey island and locks
$695 + 10% taxes (50% downpayment)

Private Embera village
$675  + 10% taxes (50% downpayment)

Airport transfer
Airp transfer from Playa Bonita
$70 + 10% taxes (fully paid)

Please check your junk mail if you don't see our invoice in your inbox.

You can complete the payment on their secure plattform.

Once downpayment is received, the itinerary will be sent to you for review, normally within 72 hours or less

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #489 on: August 13, 2019, 06:00:28 PM »
trying to book Panama City to Las perlas
Guess will go by ferry RT

If you have your hotel booked try asking if the concierge can find and book it for you.
Visibly Jewish

Offline TripsPls

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #490 on: August 13, 2019, 08:16:09 PM »
I went in January. We were 4 people. Embera was $135 per person. We used her to go to San Blas but it was with a group. Private was way out of our budget. She doesn't go but she has a guy who was very attentive to our needs - for example he set up hammocks for us and brought us fruits. That was $155 per person

seems like I was quoted much higher, you think that is because of the season?

Offline E R K

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #491 on: August 14, 2019, 12:53:46 AM »
seems like I was quoted much higher, you think that is because of the season?

maybe because we used her for 3 days maybe she gave us a discount

Offline LastRowMiddleSeat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #492 on: August 14, 2019, 05:55:52 PM »
Lula or prime grill?

Aria was great.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #493 on: August 15, 2019, 06:38:15 PM »
Shevet Achim has a really nice sit down kiddush lunch. We walked it from the Marriott and it wasn't so bad.

Do you need to let them know you are coming before shabbos?

Offline itreu001

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #494 on: August 20, 2019, 05:36:28 PM »
There is no longer a kosher ice cream store in The Old City of Panama. Forget Yogurt has closed.

Offline TripsPls

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #495 on: August 29, 2019, 08:16:20 PM »
Just a quick note. Panama was AMAZING!!! One of my Fav trips ever, and that was with 4 children.  ;)
Cheap beautiful hotel rooms, tons of kosher food and Shuls.
HIGHLY recommend www.therealpanamatours.com. Sorhay takes care of everything including Kosher food. She can take you on the touristy tours or the off the beaten path tours. My kids all loved her.  She definitely made the trip super amazing for the whole family!

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #496 on: August 29, 2019, 09:24:32 PM »
So how about some more details and a Trip Report, after that teaser?

Offline TripsPls

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #497 on: August 30, 2019, 12:49:37 AM »
Hurricane prep, after that Ill write something up  ;D

Offline itreu001

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #498 on: September 02, 2019, 02:21:40 PM »
We’d love to hear how your trip went!

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #499 on: September 02, 2019, 05:59:33 PM »
We’d love to hear how your trip went!

Ditto! How old are your kids and which tours did you take?