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 299870 times)

Offline myb821

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #720 on: March 08, 2021, 09:49:35 AM »
Anyone have any thoughts of Panama in August with little kids (6 and 3)?
« Last Edit: March 08, 2021, 10:48:43 AM by myb821 »

Offline myb821

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #721 on: March 16, 2021, 09:06:27 AM »
Has anyone stayed overnight in San Blas and have any hotel reccomendations.

Additionally can someone add the contact information  for the recommended tour guides to the wiki?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #722 on: March 16, 2021, 12:28:08 PM »
Has anyone stayed overnight in San Blas and have any hotel reccomendations.

Additionally can someone add the contact information  for the recommended tour guides to the wiki?

We did a day trip to San Blas and had a great time - it's all in our Panama TR.  I am not sure but don't think there are any hotels in San Blas.  You can camp out in a tent and we saw a couple from South America camped out in a tent on one of the islands we visited.  EDIT  - I just looked online and apparently there are some lodging options but I do not think they qualify for what you probably would call a "hotel."  They look like thatched roof bungalows.

Also, I am not sure the status of Panama right now but last I heard San Blas was closed to tourists.  Things may have changed since.

I have Sorhay's phone number and will ask if I am permitted to share it.  Information about Sorhay can be found here:   

https://www.therealpanamatours.com/

Here is the information for Alon Levi:

Alon Levi can be reached on Whatsapp at: +50766831663 and by Email at: oakfrst@gmail.com

« Last Edit: March 16, 2021, 01:25:35 PM by PBaruch »
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #723 on: March 16, 2021, 12:36:24 PM »
Has anyone stayed overnight in San Blas and have any hotel reccomendations.

Additionally can someone add the contact information  for the recommended tour guides to the wiki?

We used Alon for our tours.

Offline myb821

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #724 on: March 16, 2021, 03:14:45 PM »
We used Alon for our tours.
For both? I thought in your TR there was a second guide listed.

Offline myb821

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #725 on: March 16, 2021, 03:15:00 PM »
We did a day trip to San Blas and had a great time - it's all in our Panama TR.  I am not sure but don't think there are any hotels in San Blas.  You can camp out in a tent and we saw a couple from South America camped out in a tent on one of the islands we visited.  EDIT  - I just looked online and apparently there are some lodging options but I do not think they qualify for what you probably would call a "hotel."  They look like thatched roof bungalows.

Also, I am not sure the status of Panama right now but last I heard San Blas was closed to tourists.  Things may have changed since.

I have Sorhay's phone number and will ask if I am permitted to share it.  Information about Sorhay can be found here:   

https://www.therealpanamatours.com/

Here is the information for Alon Levi:

Alon Levi can be reached on Whatsapp at: +50766831663 and by Email at: oakfrst@gmail.com
Thank you!

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #726 on: March 16, 2021, 10:29:19 PM »
Sorhay's Whatsapp contact:

+507 6522-6210

I just messaged her and she said Panama is opening up soon.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #727 on: March 17, 2021, 12:04:05 PM »
For both? I thought in your TR there was a second guide listed.

We used Alon for Monkey Island, Embera Village and Anton Valley. When we went to Pearl Islands we had Ilene take us around to different islands.

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #728 on: April 12, 2021, 12:06:13 PM »
@Kobe Bryant did you end up writing a TR for Panama?

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #729 on: April 13, 2021, 10:28:19 PM »
I am planning a trip to Panama at the end of July. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread for the very useful information. I messaged Alon and Sorhay and they both told me Panama is mostly open now. San Blas is still closed but the Pearl Islands are open.

I can’t seem to find the Kosher PTY app. Does anyone know if that is still in existence?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #730 on: April 13, 2021, 10:35:32 PM »
I am planning a trip to Panama at the end of July. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread for the very useful information. I messaged Alon and Sorhay and they both told me Panama is mostly open now. San Blas is still closed but the Pearl Islands are open.

I can’t seem to find the Kosher PTY app. Does anyone know if that is still in existence?

I heard that the Kosher PTY App closed down.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #731 on: April 14, 2021, 07:41:55 AM »
I heard that the Kosher PTY App closed down.
Thanks. Does anyone know about good flight options from NY? Seems to be almost no direct flight options on the return, and all the flights are a bit pricey

Offline Saulius

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #732 on: April 14, 2021, 06:27:00 PM »
Thanks. Does anyone know about good flight options from NY? Seems to be almost no direct flight options on the return, and all the flights are a bit pricey

Copa Airlines is direct - if you can do hidden-ticketing and fly without luggage -- you can fly to Panama for $86 one way from JFK - with the ticket booked for Bogota, Columbia. -  Problem are flights from Central America back to the US can be more pricey -  book a cheap flight out of Panama with Wingo - ie to Bogota and fly back to US with award ticket or with money.  - Or find an award ticket out from PTY to MIA with AAdvantage.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #733 on: April 20, 2021, 12:10:22 PM »
Anyone have a birding guide they'd recommend?
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #734 on: April 20, 2021, 12:14:19 PM »
Anyone have a birding guide they'd recommend?
Alon +507 6553 0016

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #735 on: April 20, 2021, 12:21:54 PM »
Alon +507 6553 0016

Thanks!

This guy? https://en.panamawithalon.com/

ETA: searched this thread  for "Alon" - man, people really like him here ;D. Sent him a whatsapp, let's see what he says.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2021, 12:36:24 PM by Something Fishy »
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #736 on: April 20, 2021, 09:56:28 PM »
Thanks!

This guy? https://en.panamawithalon.com/

ETA: searched this thread  for "Alon" - man, people really like him here ;D. Sent him a whatsapp, let's see what he says.

He is just a very honest, friendly, patient, cautious and knowledgeable tour guide if that’s what your looking for.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #737 on: April 20, 2021, 10:16:13 PM »
Spoke to him and he sounded amazing, but he's in Israel now... We're working on some other options.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline normathej

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #738 on: April 21, 2021, 01:45:55 PM »
AC Hotel, W Panama, Sortis - which is the nicest?

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #739 on: June 01, 2021, 08:57:27 PM »
Trying to figure out which hotel to book in Panama, all hotels are approx the same price
Is the following correct?

Sortis, within walking distance of kosher food - mid week
JW or Residence Inn for shabbos to stay near Chabad

Anything else to consider?