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 300066 times)

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #740 on: June 01, 2021, 09:10:25 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?

There are a few places to eat near the Residence Inn as well, such as Jeffrey's as some falafel type place. 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #741 on: June 01, 2021, 09:38:47 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?
Why would you want to switch hotels?  Had an amazing experience at the JW Marriot. Highly recommended.

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #742 on: June 03, 2021, 02:40:43 PM »
Did anyone do Embera and Monkey Island in one day, how far are they from each other?
My guide claims that it will make for a very long day but he suggest to visit a smaller tribe nearby Monkey Island that's called Woonan, anyone visited them and could compare them to Embera
Won't do the hike and waterfall in Embera anyways as I have a baby

Offline E R K

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #743 on: June 03, 2021, 06:08:17 PM »
 I did Panama Canal and Monkey Island on the same day.

Offline chuchem

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #744 on: June 04, 2021, 06:33:31 AM »
embrea and panama canal/lake gatum/monkey island are totally different direction

Offline Divora M

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #745 on: June 04, 2021, 11:33:29 AM »
Did anyone do Embera and Monkey Island in one day, how far are they from each other?
My guide claims that it will make for a very long day but he suggest to visit a smaller tribe nearby Monkey Island that's called Woonan, anyone visited them and could compare them to Embera
Won't do the hike and waterfall in Embera anyways as I have a baby

We did monkey island and another indigenous tribe in one day, I don’t remember their name.

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #746 on: June 06, 2021, 12:21:57 PM »
We did monkey island and another indigenous tribe in one day, I don’t remember their name.
Same here. We went to the one closer to Gamboa Resort.

Offline stsschw

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #747 on: June 09, 2021, 11:22:06 AM »
gokosherpanama.com has all of the information you need for restaurants, caterers, hotels, shuls and Tour guides/Attractions.  Also just added a Live/Retire section for more long term stays.

Offline Yid21

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #748 on: June 15, 2021, 05:47:21 PM »
Anybody have updated recommendations as to which hotels would be closest to both chabad and some of the other shuls in Panama City while remaining in the erv if possible? I have read some old TRs but couldn't get a good idea of which hotels make the most sense if I want to try multiple shuls. Has anyone gone for shabbos in the last couple years and have other ideas/recommendations?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #749 on: June 15, 2021, 05:49:46 PM »
Anybody have updated recommendations as to which hotels would be closest to both chabad and some of the other shuls in Panama City while remaining in the erv if possible? I have read some old TRs but couldn't get a good idea of which hotels make the most sense if I want to try multiple shuls. Has anyone gone for shabbos in the last couple years and have other ideas/recommendations?

FYI as of a few weeks ago shuls were not allowing any outsiders to enter.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #750 on: June 15, 2021, 07:00:55 PM »
Anybody have updated recommendations as to which hotels would be closest to both chabad and some of the other shuls in Panama City while remaining in the erv if possible? I have read some old TRs but couldn't get a good idea of which hotels make the most sense if I want to try multiple shuls. Has anyone gone for shabbos in the last couple years and have other ideas/recommendations?
JW Marriot

Offline myb821

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #751 on: June 21, 2021, 08:45:26 AM »
FYI as of a few weeks ago shuls were not allowing any outsiders to enter.
Really? Anyone have any updated information on this?

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #752 on: June 21, 2021, 03:07:00 PM »
Chabad is open with pre registration
In regards to the other shuls due to covid you could only register to enter one shul of your choice
see registration link below
https://secure.jotform.us/DSI_Panama/Visitor_Form?fbclid=IwAR3boa7qAreO0C-JrV6MaNsQ6Djd-LMR3rs5sWzuz6ZqR5u72AQYAVu1UWc.

Offline dvol

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #753 on: June 30, 2021, 07:09:22 PM »
For someone going midweek for 3 nights. What is the most luxurious and best choice as far as hotel in Panama City?

TIA

Offline itreu001

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #754 on: July 11, 2021, 07:32:09 PM »
FYI as of a few weeks ago shuls were not allowing any outsiders to enter.

We were there on Pesach, and Bet-El allowed visitors happily, the other shuls did not. Please make sure to contact them in advance.

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #755 on: July 19, 2021, 11:45:03 PM »
It looks like there is 2 Chabad's in Panama City a few blocks apart from each other, both offer shabbos meals
Anyone knows the difference of them and to whom they cater, locals vs tourist
People mentioning they ate at Chabad, which one was it?

Offline stsschw

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #756 on: July 30, 2021, 11:01:24 AM »
For Shabbat meals - Chabad House Panama -Rabbi Mendi Karniel - you can find the registration for for meals https://www.gokosherpanama.com/shabbat

Chabad Center of Panama City - Rabbi Pinchas Cohen - Caters to many of the Israeli travelers trekking thru Central America

Offline Cat18

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #757 on: July 30, 2021, 01:21:19 PM »
suggested length for trip -- 1 or 2 weeks?

Offline Ploni3

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #758 on: July 30, 2021, 04:11:59 PM »
You can have a nice trip over 1 week. If you want to  relax you can add time.

Offline rkg27

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #759 on: August 02, 2021, 09:37:33 PM »
Looking for recommendations of where to stay in Bocos del toro. Preferably something very nice either on the beach or over water bungalow.

Thanks!