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 299936 times)

Offline ab613

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #800 on: January 06, 2022, 04:59:29 PM »
I used Sorhay as recommended here but she’s not cheap. Great private tour.
Sorhay is not available on my dates, can anyone recommend another good tour guide for Monkey Island & Embera village?

Offline simplicity

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #801 on: January 07, 2022, 10:56:31 AM »
whats the best Marriot to stay in JW, W ? or would you suggest The Waldorf?

Offline efi

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #802 on: January 07, 2022, 11:29:35 AM »
Sorhay is not available on my dates, can anyone recommend another good tour guide for Monkey Island & Embera village?
I used my friend Mario, and i had a great experience with him http://myfriendmario.com/

Offline Minyan

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #803 on: January 08, 2022, 06:43:38 PM »
When it says 40 percent chance of thunderstorms this week.  What is the chance that it will really rain?  Debating if we should go or cancel?

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #804 on: January 08, 2022, 07:43:23 PM »
When it says 40 percent chance of thunderstorms this week.  What is the chance that it will really rain?  Debating if we should go or cancel?

It's the tropics. It will rain at some point. You won't melt :P.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline momo

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #805 on: January 10, 2022, 01:08:43 PM »
How does one get C19 testing in order to get back into the US? Does anyone have a phone number to someone who will come to the hotel/apartment you are staying to administer the tests?
TIA

Offline pixi

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #806 on: January 11, 2022, 01:53:11 PM »
What is the closest decent beach to Panama City?
Here is my issue, I don't want to stay in the city because there is no beach, but I also don't want to stay somewhere far from everything.
TIA
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline yuneeq

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #807 on: January 11, 2022, 03:26:17 PM »
What is the closest decent beach to Panama City?
Here is my issue, I don't want to stay in the city because there is no beach, but I also don't want to stay somewhere far from everything.
TIA

Probably Contadora
Visibly Jewish

Offline israbear89

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #808 on: January 11, 2022, 03:32:06 PM »
The closest is Playa Bonita. There's a Westin (Marriott) there and Dreams (Hyatt, but not sure if it's bookable on points yet). Cant vouch for beach or water in the Panama Bay.

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #809 on: January 11, 2022, 04:57:27 PM »
Did anyone stay in the Sortis over Shabbos? There seems to be issues.

Does anyone know if the JW Marriot has rooms with 2 beds? I can't seem to find.

Offline israbear89

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #810 on: January 11, 2022, 05:16:29 PM »
Did anyone stay in the Sortis over Shabbos? There seems to be issues.

Does anyone know if the JW Marriot has rooms with 2 beds? I can't seem to find.

Yes JW has rooms with 2 double beds
« Last Edit: January 11, 2022, 06:41:17 PM by israbear89 »

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #811 on: January 12, 2022, 09:45:33 AM »
Yes JW has rooms with 2 double beds
Thanks, spoke to them. Seems like there are none left

Offline mlight

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #812 on: January 12, 2022, 12:25:52 PM »
Regarding a hotel for shabbos; seems like residence inn is many flights up which would make it hard with kids. Is the JW also a lot of stairs or does it start at ground level? What are other options near the shul?

Offline Entrepreneur

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #813 on: January 16, 2022, 03:17:30 PM »
Anyone get a SIM card at the airport or use Google FI?

Not sure what best option is and costs for SIM card at airport.

Thanks

Offline Gvann

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #814 on: January 18, 2022, 12:17:39 AM »
Looking for some information. Staying at the Hilton for shabbos. Which Shuls are close by? Which is closest that would have a meal. I think @Denverite you stayed there?
On chase travel all the tours leave at like 7am is that true? Looking for preferably a private tour to monkey island but not the tribe what is the best way to arrange such a thing.
There is a vague term here being thrown around “the rainforest” what exactly does that mean? Is there like a specific hike that people do is there wildlife?
Does anyone know if the train going coast to coast is open?

Offline israbear89

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #815 on: January 19, 2022, 03:13:33 PM »
Anyone have any info on Sinagoga Punta Pacifica Bet Max Ve Sarah? Seems close to the JW

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #816 on: January 19, 2022, 04:49:16 PM »
Any way to make free phone calls to landlines in Panama?

Offline BBPAPA

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #817 on: January 21, 2022, 09:19:16 AM »
Anyone with a reservation at Aria who can't make it-
 Please PM me.

Offline SBC

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #818 on: January 23, 2022, 02:27:30 PM »
Anyone know what time Shevat Ahim is davening mincha today?

Offline simplicity

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #819 on: January 24, 2022, 11:48:10 AM »
Anyone know what time Shevat Ahim is davening mincha today?
6pm