Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 303816 times)

RebTuvia · « **Reply #580 on:** November 28, 2019, 01:08:27 PM »

Quote from: ab613 on November 28, 2019, 09:48:47 AM

so is it worth the shlep to Panama just to visit the city?

Depending how long you're thinking of being there, if just for 3/4 days than yes, if for a week than hmm. Check out the Topic Wiki and the TripReviews you'll see for yourself.

Kobe Bryant · « **Reply #581 on:** November 28, 2019, 11:47:50 PM »

I used Alon as well , wat an unbelievable guide and so much more reasonably priced . Will post details in TR .
Pm for any questions

Quote from: Rechavia on October 27, 2019, 05:51:59 AM

Hi,
My husband, brother-in-law & sister-in-law traveled for the first time to Panama City, Panama! We were enchanted by the wonderful Jewish Community, beautiful synagogues and the great choices of kosher eateries.
The key to our enjoyment was the hiring of Alon Levy: +507 6683-1663 as our tour guide for three days. He adjusted the tours that he provides to our interests and special needs. https://en.panamawithalon.com/
BTW Chabad of Panama recommends his services on their website.
https://www.chabadpanama.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4018942/jewish/Tour-Guides.htm
We enjoyed our stays at the Las Americas Golden Tower Panama Hotel and the Marriott Executive Apartments. They were quite accommodating and the locations were convenient. La Spezie Pizzaria was our favorite place to eat though we enjoyed many of the other options.
I hope these comments are helpful to the next traveler!

Kobe Bryant · « **Reply #582 on:** November 28, 2019, 11:49:46 PM »

I had pretty bad experience just trying to book her .
Mrs. Karniel of Chabad suggested Alon and we couldn't have been happier.

Quote from: Divora M on November 11, 2019, 03:53:28 PM

I just had a horrible experience with Sorhay (the real Panama tour). She quoted me a price for two different tours and then when I was ready to pay she raised the price hundreds of dollars claiming she never gave me that price even though I sent her the messages proving it. She was extremely rude and even when she had to admit she gave me those prices she said it was a mistake and she will not honor it. I am glad I got to see her true colors before going on full day tours with her. She really came off to me as a horrible person.

Divora M · « **Reply #583 on:** November 29, 2019, 01:28:18 AM »

Quote from: Kobe bryent on November 28, 2019, 11:49:46 PM

I had pretty bad experience just trying to book her .
Mrs. Karniel of Chabad suggested Alon and we couldn't have been happier.

I booked Alon for our upcoming trip in January. We are doing the monkey island + Embrera village tour and Anton valley tour. Which ones did you do with him?

BrooklynCPA · « **Reply #584 on:** December 02, 2019, 12:33:26 PM »

Will anyone here be in Panama on days from January 29th through February to possibly share a tour .... Please PM.

itreu001 · « **Reply #585 on:** December 02, 2019, 12:37:15 PM »

The tours all charge per person. I don't think sharing cuts any of the prices.

BrooklynCPA · « **Reply #586 on:** December 02, 2019, 01:26:14 PM »

You can negotiate a better price with a larger group.

Denverite · « **Reply #587 on:** December 03, 2019, 04:02:03 PM »

Quote from: lfas25 on November 28, 2019, 12:46:46 PM

Has anyone stayed at the Plaza Paitilla over shabbos?

I've stayed their over Shabbos and it was the perfect location. It's nothing fancy but it did the trick to be in the eruv and a very close walk with my kids. There were a number of frum people staying when we were there.

Kobe Bryant · « **Reply #588 on:** December 04, 2019, 02:28:46 AM »

1)We went on a birding tour in Soberania Np
2) Anton Valley and hiked up the sleeping Indian girl.
3) combo of snorkeling near Portobello reef and ziplining over Gatun lake ( Def the best tour)

Quote from: Divora M on November 29, 2019, 01:28:18 AM

I booked Alon for our upcoming trip in January. We are doing the monkey island + Embrera village tour and Anton valley tour. Which ones did you do with him?

mlight · « **Reply #589 on:** December 08, 2019, 08:43:33 PM »

What's the consensus: worth going with a baby (2 months old) for extended weekend?

Ploni3 · « **Reply #590 on:** December 09, 2019, 09:56:20 AM »

Personally, I think much of the attraction is the outdoor activities not really suited for babies. I'd just go to Miami for a long weekend - unless you absolutely want to avoid the crowds.

Kobe Bryant · « **Reply #591 on:** December 09, 2019, 10:07:07 AM »

I agree, which is why i suggested LA.

Quote from: Ploni3 on December 09, 2019, 09:56:20 AM

Personally, I think much of the attraction is the outdoor activities not really suited for babies. I'd just go to Miami for a long weekend - unless you absolutely want to avoid the crowds.

mlight · « **Reply #592 on:** December 09, 2019, 11:28:21 AM »

Quote from: Kobe bryent on December 09, 2019, 10:07:07 AM

I agree, which is why i suggested LA.

Thanks. Been to LA too many times. Thinking of repeating San Diego for shabbos and and palm springs for a few days or going back to Scottsdale etc.

Kobe Bryant · « **Reply #593 on:** December 09, 2019, 12:47:49 PM »

Wasn't aware.
LA is a second home to me.

Quote from: mlight on December 09, 2019, 11:28:21 AM

Thanks. Been to LA too many times. Thinking of repeating San Diego for shabbos and and palm springs for a few days or going back to Scottsdale etc.

lfas25 · « **Reply #594 on:** December 09, 2019, 06:43:38 PM »

Do people drink the tap water, or tourist from the US stick to bottled water?

RebTuvia · « **Reply #595 on:** December 10, 2019, 01:33:46 AM »

Quote from: lfas25 on December 09, 2019, 06:43:38 PM

Do people drink the tap water, or tourist from the US stick to bottled water?

We we’re told not to drink tap water even in the city, definitely not in the villages and up in the mountains.

SSLPhD · « **Reply #596 on:** December 12, 2019, 09:16:54 PM »

Quote from: ethana on November 20, 2019, 03:29:58 PM

i used barefoot panama

Do you recommend them, @ethana?

ethana · « **Reply #597 on:** December 12, 2019, 09:31:56 PM »

It was a while ago but my experience was very good. He knew his stuff and took us to great places

BrooklynCPA · « **Reply #598 on:** December 13, 2019, 11:52:29 AM »

After years of talking about going to Panama we are finally going with our 2 younger children at end of January. After reading through all the posts I have a few questions.

We have the Sortis Booked. Although we will be there over shabbos it still seems like the best choice for us since we can use a 7 night certificate, enjoy the modern contemporary and more hip style hotels with nice spas and its near the top restaurants. We also do not need an Eruv as my kids are 10 & 12. The only other lower category Marriott where we can use a cert is the Le Meridien But that hotel seems outdated and mediocre.

We plan on doing dinner at Chabbad Friday night and ubering there. How far is the walk back to the Sortis?

Regarding Shabbos morning, It seems both Bet El & Shevas Achim have a large Kiddush/Lunch. Is one recommended over the other? How far is the walk from each one to the Sortis?

I booked the combined Monkey Jungle / Embera Village Tour with Alon Levy.

It seems like my kids will be bored with a full tour of the Canal and and Miraflores Locks. I think it makes sense to do that on our own so we can move on quickly if needed.

After visiting Costa Rica we don't see a need for rain forest & zip lining tours here and would rather have some down time with local attractions at our own pace.

San Blas seems like to difficult a trip for a partially relaxing vacation.

The Pearl Island day tour with Ilene sounds amazing but there are no morning flights so need to take round trip ferry. Even with her ferry discount it seems very pricey for 4 people when you add the cost of the ferry and her tour. Is this really worth it?

Are there any snorkeling trips we can uber and do on our own?

My take on restaurants from all the reviews here is the following in this order: Aria, Kava, Moma, Luna Darna, La Spezia, Pita Plus....

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated.

mz715 · « **Reply #599 on:** December 14, 2019, 07:51:30 PM »

I am also going with my family in a few weeks. In addition to the questions in the post above, does anyone know where I can get a copy of the Eruv Map, or if there is a description of the Eruv boundaries?