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 299862 times)

Offline SBC

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #820 on: January 24, 2022, 03:36:09 PM »

Offline simplicity

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #821 on: January 25, 2022, 07:45:22 PM »
What are the best options for covid test while in Panama going back to u.s.?

Offline ejb123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #822 on: February 01, 2022, 07:54:34 AM »
Excited for an upcoming trip to Panama in two weeks. Would appreciate any feedback from people who just came back over yeshiva vacation. Anyone make the trip to Bocas, Pearl Islands or San Blas? Trying to finalize our itinerary. Thank you

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #823 on: February 01, 2022, 09:21:07 AM »
Is there parking by the shuls and/or restaurants? I know people usually don't rent cars for the most part, but I'd much prefer to rent when it's not super expensive and/or impossible to park.

Offline simplicity

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #824 on: February 01, 2022, 09:33:10 AM »
Is there parking by the shuls and/or restaurants? I know people usually don't rent cars for the most part, but I'd much prefer to rent when it's not super expensive and/or impossible to park.
they mostly have parking lots by the stores some charge (10 cents a min) most don’t . Idk about all the shuls

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #825 on: February 01, 2022, 10:21:47 AM »
Is there parking by the shuls and/or restaurants? I know people usually don't rent cars for the most part, but I'd much prefer to rent when it's not super expensive and/or impossible to park.

I just got back and highly discourage renting a car. Ubers are really really cheap and easy there, I don't see a reason to have to be busy with a car

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #826 on: February 01, 2022, 10:22:32 AM »
Excited for an upcoming trip to Panama in two weeks. Would appreciate any feedback from people who just came back over yeshiva vacation. Anyone make the trip to Bocas, Pearl Islands or San Blas? Trying to finalize our itinerary. Thank you

Hope to post a TR shortly, though I did not visit any of the islands so it may not help

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #827 on: February 01, 2022, 11:40:52 AM »
I just got back and highly discourage renting a car. Ubers are really really cheap and easy there, I don't see a reason to have to be busy with a car
What does busy with a car mean? I can make the money cheshbon myself of which makes more sense. Between to/from airport/hotel/shul/restaurants/attractions, as well as a possible rental one day to do an activity far outside the city, I have a hard time imagining ubering everywhere won't add up to more than the dirt cheap car rentals there. What I guess I'm really looking for is someone who has gone and rented the whole time to hear their experiences, especially re parking.

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #828 on: February 01, 2022, 12:25:47 PM »
I just think it's a hassle to have to find parking at every spot, probably pay for parking at hotels, gas etc.
Just for context: the 20 minute drive from the airport to hotel cost us in the range of $12.

Offline cgr

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #829 on: February 01, 2022, 12:53:14 PM »
I just got back and highly discourage renting a car. Ubers are really really cheap and easy there, I don't see a reason to have to be busy with a car
Also the locals drive like animals, with stoplights seen as suggestion rather than a rule.

Offline simplicity

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #830 on: February 01, 2022, 08:25:58 PM »
What does busy with a car mean? I can make the money cheshbon myself of which makes more sense. Between to/from airport/hotel/shul/restaurants/attractions, as well as a possible rental one day to do an activity far outside the city, I have a hard time imagining ubering everywhere won't add up to more than the dirt cheap car rentals there. What I guess I'm really looking for is someone who has gone and rented the whole time to hear their experiences, especially re parking.
i was there for 5 days and Ubered everywhere average was $2.31 a Uber to and from the airport was average of $13, about rentals even when you get a good rate online they have mandatory insurances they make you take which doubles the quotes!

Offline Ysilby95

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #831 on: February 07, 2022, 03:40:25 PM »
What’s the main airport  that everyone fly’s to PTY?

Offline Lou Bob

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #832 on: February 07, 2022, 04:22:16 PM »
What’s the main airport  that everyone fly’s to PTY?
yes
Always use an Amex, you'll thank me one day.

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #833 on: February 07, 2022, 11:15:51 PM »
Anyone know what qualifies for the antigen/PCR test non-fully vaccinated travelers need to enter Panama? How do you show proof and to whom?

Offline Rivky

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #834 on: February 09, 2022, 01:16:01 PM »
Anyone know what qualifies for the antigen/PCR test non-fully vaccinated travelers need to enter Panama? How do you show proof and to whom?

Also looking for an Answer on this

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #835 on: February 09, 2022, 01:51:31 PM »
Anyone know what qualifies for the antigen/PCR test non-fully vaccinated travelers need to enter Panama? How do you show proof and to whom?

You must take a test (I believe antigen is fine) taken within 72 hours before travel.
You present it at the airport, or upload everything when checking it with your airline.

Offline simplicity

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #836 on: February 09, 2022, 02:16:28 PM »
You must take a test (I believe antigen is fine) taken within 72 hours before travel.
You present it at the airport, or upload everything when checking it with your airline.
they would not let me check in online, only at the airport once agent verified the test names matched passport name... takes a min.

Offline Yonah

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #837 on: February 09, 2022, 02:41:25 PM »
Looking at staying in panama city, but I am a points/rewards idiot. We are a family of 5 (youngest kid is 14), but most of the times they won't let us simply book one room. Is there a hotel in Panama City that I can book a small suite (for 4) and get a roll out bed?

DW wants a beach vacation, I had one thought to try to book Playa Bonita for 2 days, and then Panama city for the rest of our trip, but are there any beaches accessible to Panama City that don't require a ferry boat (although thinking of Islas de las perlas as a day trip from Panama City)?


Offline skyguy918

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #838 on: February 09, 2022, 03:29:56 PM »
You must take a test (I believe antigen is fine) taken within 72 hours before travel.
You present it at the airport, or upload everything when checking it with your airline.
they would not let me check in online, only at the airport once agent verified the test names matched passport name... takes a min.
Which airline for each of you? I'm flying Copa and they seem to just say whatever each country requires - no special requirements on their end.

Offline ponash123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #839 on: February 09, 2022, 03:58:26 PM »
Which airline for each of you? I'm flying Copa and they seem to just say whatever each country requires - no special requirements on their end.

I flew United there and Copa back.
It was not a big deal, with United I uploaded everything beforehand. With Copa I presented at check-in in the airport