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 300104 times)

Offline itreu001

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #520 on: September 15, 2019, 07:09:42 PM »
We booked a family of 6 Rt for 240k Amex points. We transferred them to air canada and they charge 40k rt. Nonstop availability was hard to find from nyc (although they had plenty available from bos and IAD. The way back we flew through MSY but we were able to extend our trip and spend a day there.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #521 on: September 15, 2019, 08:31:05 PM »
31,000 - 40,000 for one way. Forget it. Thanks anyway. Maybe Boca instead.

We booked with UA from ORD to PTY for 17.5k one way nonstop.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #522 on: September 15, 2019, 08:32:28 PM »
If you find saver you can book with LM or TK.

What’s LM? I thought Turkish Airlines charges more miles from US to Central America then UA does.

Offline grodnoking

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #523 on: September 15, 2019, 08:38:35 PM »
We booked with UA from ORD to PTY for 17.5k one way nonstop.
UA is changing to dynamic pricing.
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #524 on: September 15, 2019, 11:23:41 PM »
UA is changing to dynamic pricing.

Ok, I just checked dates for January and it’s still 17.5k

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #525 on: September 15, 2019, 11:47:42 PM »
What hotels are the best in Panama City?  As of the moment we have the Sortis booked but im not sure if this is the best choice.

TIA
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #526 on: September 16, 2019, 06:28:53 AM »
What hotels are the best in Panama City?  As of the moment we have the Sortis booked but im not sure if this is the best choice.

TIA
I was very happy there, if you want to spend a bit more the top hotels there are quite cheap so....
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #527 on: September 16, 2019, 08:55:14 AM »
I was very happy there, if you want to spend a bit more the top hotels there are quite cheap so....

Thanks.  The Sortis does seem cheap for the amount of Marriott points.  I did the math and better value for me to use points than cash.  The question is whether the Le Meridian (slightly more points) is a nicer/better hotel.  Also, we will be there for Shabbos and that is a consideration as well.

We don't need a beach front hotel as we've been there and done that plenty of times.  Besides, I doubt we will be hanging out at the hotel much anyway.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #528 on: September 16, 2019, 08:57:09 AM »


Thanks.  The Sortis does seem cheap for the amount of Marriott points.  I did the math and better value for me to use points than cash.  The question is whether the Le Meridian (slightly more points) is a nicer/better hotel.  Also, we will be there for Shabbos and that is a consideration as well.

We don't need a beach front hotel as we've been there and done that plenty of times.  Besides, I doubt we will be hanging out at the hotel much anyway.

So Panama isn't exactly a Beachy city, so AFAIK there are no hotels on the beach, some on the bay tho. I wasn't there for shabbos, but from my understanding Sortis isn't recommended for shabbos.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #529 on: September 16, 2019, 08:59:52 AM »

So Panama isn't exactly a Beachy city, so AFAIK there are no hotels on the beach, some on the bay tho. I wasn't there for shabbos, but from my understanding Sortis isn't recommended for shabbos.

Le Meridian better choice then?  Can anyone else chime in?
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline voldemort

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #530 on: September 16, 2019, 09:18:11 AM »
Le Meridian better choice then?  Can anyone else chime in?
Le meridian is a much better location for shabbos.

Offline tdb

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #531 on: September 16, 2019, 09:19:47 AM »
Le Meridian better choice then?  Can anyone else chime in?

JW is in a nice residential area. 7 minutes form chabad 15 from bet el. Nice pools overlooking the ocean. Walking distance to numerous kosher eateries and shaboos friendly.

Offline E R K

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #532 on: September 16, 2019, 10:53:55 AM »
JW is in a nice residential area. 7 minutes form chabad 15 from bet el. Nice pools overlooking the ocean. Walking distance to numerous kosher eateries and shaboos friendly.

I stayed there for Shabbos and they were very helpful regarding Shabbos and close to Shuls. We then moved to the Sortis. It was a completely different vibe. I had a nicer room at the Sortis but I personally liked vibe better at JW.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #533 on: September 16, 2019, 10:56:16 AM »
I stayed there for Shabbos and they were very helpful regarding Shabbos and close to Shuls. We then moved to the Sortis. It was a completely different vibe. I had a nicer room at the Sortis but I personally liked vibe better at JW.

Didn't someone post that the jw was old and dumpy?
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Offline mochjas

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #534 on: September 16, 2019, 11:15:47 AM »
I stayed there for Shabbos and they were very helpful regarding Shabbos and close to Shuls. We then moved to the Sortis. It was a completely different vibe. I had a nicer room at the Sortis but I personally liked vibe better at JW.
What were the vibes that each hotel gave off?

Offline E R K

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #535 on: September 16, 2019, 01:57:33 PM »
I liked the pool better at JW it was overlooking the bay. I did not think it was old and dumpy. Lobby more elegant. Look at the pics on the webwsite. However, I did not like the bathrooms.
Sortis was very modern but very noisy - like a Vegas hotel. I was upgraded and had a nicer room there.



Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #536 on: September 16, 2019, 02:00:58 PM »
I liked the pool better at JW it was overlooking the bay. I did not think it was old and dumpy. Lobby more elegant. Look at the pics on the webwsite. However, I did not like the bathrooms.
Sortis was very modern but very noisy - like a Vegas hotel. I was upgraded and had a nicer room there.

Thanks.  I checked and the JW is significantly more MT points than the Sortis or the Le Meridien so JW is out.  Now I have to decide between the Sortis and Le Meridien or something else that is comparable. 
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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #537 on: September 16, 2019, 10:41:44 PM »
Anyone know how long it takes to walk from the Le Meridian to the shul(s) in that area?  I was advised that the walk from the Sortis to shul is 25-30 minutes.  Wondering if the walk from Le Meridian is shorter.

TIA.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #538 on: September 16, 2019, 11:18:58 PM »
Yes. Le Meridian is closer walk to Shul. Also can get ocean view from Le Meridian, not from Sortis. 

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #539 on: September 18, 2019, 01:50:22 PM »
Yes. Le Meridian is closer walk to Shul. Also can get ocean view from Le Meridian, not from Sortis.

According to google maps, 9-12 minute walk from Le Meridian to Shevet Achim.
What do you do after your dreams come true?