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 300091 times)

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #660 on: January 17, 2020, 06:38:09 AM »
Are all the Coffee Beans in Panama City kosher?

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #661 on: January 17, 2020, 09:14:03 AM »
Are all the Coffee Beans in Panama City kosher?
I know the one by Jw and by Miraflores locks both had a Hecsher, if it is kosher it will be displayed .

Offline E R K

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #662 on: January 17, 2020, 09:40:36 AM »
Some are under KOLA. Some are under the local Vaad. Some are under both. Ask your LOR as to which you follow.

Offline Abey

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #663 on: January 20, 2020, 06:04:51 PM »
planning a trip to PTY and would like to stay Sunday-Wednesday on island, supposedly Caribbean side is nicer (San blas) but am open to Contadora etc. can anyone share experiences with any decent hotels ?   also Uber vs car rental ($2 per day!) ? travelling on more of a budget so not planning on hiring tour guides unless necessary.... 

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #664 on: January 21, 2020, 02:01:11 PM »
Are all the Coffee Beans in Panama City kosher?
I know the one by Jw and by Miraflores locks both had a Hecsher, if it is kosher it will be displayed .

The Coffee Bean in the MultiPlaza Mall also has a Hechsher certificate, but a local Yid told me that they change often, so just be on the lookout for that Certificate. The certificate also states exactly what products are Kosher.

Offline bruce

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #665 on: January 26, 2020, 01:41:55 AM »
Hi

Going to Panama for Vaca end of this week (thurs-tues)

Anyone have a good tour guide to recommend for a family of  four?

Thx

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #666 on: January 26, 2020, 10:01:11 AM »
Hi

Going to Panama for Vaca end of this week (thurs-tues)

Anyone have a good tour guide to recommend for a family of  four?

Thx

We had Alon Levy as our tour guide and he is the nicest guy!

Offline TravelPhyl

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #667 on: January 26, 2020, 02:02:35 PM »
Hi, I will be staying in the JW Marriot over Shabbos. The hotel told me they have hard keys for the room doors, but they said the rooms start on the 17th floor. I am careful not to use elevators on Shabbos even when activated by a nonjew. Does anyone have experience taking the stairwell? Are any lights or alarms activated when taking the steps?

Offline bruce

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #668 on: January 26, 2020, 02:50:39 PM »
Thanks!

Has anyone stayed at the JW Marriott for Shabbos? Is it Shabbos friendly?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #669 on: January 26, 2020, 04:01:28 PM »
Many have reported as being great for Shabbos and shabbos friendly. One of my friends recently stayed there and had a great time.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline lfas25

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #670 on: January 26, 2020, 04:17:29 PM »
Thanks!

Has anyone stayed at the JW Marriott for Shabbos? Is it Shabbos friendly?
If you tell the staff that it's "shabbat" they'll push the buttons in the elevator, and pick you up at the time you request.
They do have a set of doors that are not electronic.

The lobby is on the 15th floor, so you'll need to have the valet bring you up to the 15th floor and then have concierge help you with the next set of elevators, as you need to switch on the lobby floor.
I only paid 15% by switching to dansdeals

Offline TravelPhyl

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #671 on: January 26, 2020, 05:23:27 PM »
What other hotels are Shabbat friendly in Panama City?

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #672 on: January 26, 2020, 07:52:04 PM »
What other hotels are Shabbat friendly in Panama City?

I’m not sure what you mean by Shabbat friendly but we stayed at the Marriott Executive Apartments for shabbos and loved it. It’s a 7 min walk within the Eruv to the Shevet Achim shul and there’s a park right nearby as well. We just taped our door so we wouldn’t need to deal with the electronic keycard. We stayed on the 7th floor so we used the stairs on shabbos.

Offline RebTuvia

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #673 on: January 27, 2020, 01:28:45 AM »
Hi

Going to Panama for Vaca end of this week (thurs-tues)

Anyone have a good tour guide to recommend for a family of  four?

Thx

Check out the following list of tour guides provided by the Jewish community center.. 

JEWISH TOUR GUIDES
 
Saralyn Levy ​      (507) 66125262
Patricia Abadi​      (507) 67479370
Arturo Lerner.    ​  (507) 67815467
Jonathan Zelcer.  ​jonathan@trulypanama.com
Reina Bitton.       ​(507) 66745194
Rafael Cohen.   ​   (507) 66714131
Raquel Bezalel​     (507) 66132788

We also booked Alex through MyFriendMario tour company for the indigenous islands he was great, contact him directly on WhatsApp. ALEX +507 6258-4479

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #674 on: January 27, 2020, 09:28:08 AM »
Hi

Going to Panama for Vaca end of this week (thurs-tues)

Anyone have a good tour guide to recommend for a family of  four?

Thx
Alon levy +50765530016
Was amazing. Highly recommend

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #675 on: January 27, 2020, 09:30:14 AM »
If you tell the staff that it's "shabbat" they'll push the buttons in the elevator, and pick you up at the time you request.
They do have a set of doors that are not electronic.

The lobby is on the 15th floor, so you'll need to have the valet bring you up to the 15th floor and then have concierge help you with the next set of elevators, as you need to switch on the lobby floor.
Pretty much sums it up.
10 min walk from Chabad.

Offline TravelPhyl

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #676 on: January 28, 2020, 12:40:22 AM »
Thanks for all your help guys! Two more questions
-Did anyone stay in the Intercontinental for shab? If yes, What was your experience?
-Did anyone do San Blas with guides/drivers other than Sorhay’s team?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #677 on: January 28, 2020, 09:06:15 AM »
planning a trip to PTY and would like to stay Sunday-Wednesday on island, supposedly Caribbean side is nicer (San blas) but am open to Contadora etc. can anyone share experiences with any decent hotels ?   also Uber vs car rental ($2 per day!) ? travelling on more of a budget so not planning on hiring tour guides unless necessary....

I could be wrong but I think staying on San Blas has to be arranged through a guide as the restaurants and hotels are owned communally through the indigenous tribes. My friend just got back from Panama and I believe overnighted on Contadora so I’ll check where and get back to you. There I know there are numerous options.

Offline cgr

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #678 on: January 28, 2020, 10:18:36 AM »
-Did anyone do San Blas with guides/drivers other than Sorhay’s team?
We did, but the hotel arranged it for us, so I don't have any contact info.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #679 on: January 28, 2020, 11:46:53 AM »
We did, but the hotel arranged it for us, so I don't have any contact info.
Mia think the hotel concierge is also booking through the same tribes then.