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 299898 times)

Offline Aps

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #900 on: June 26, 2022, 11:52:54 PM »
La spezia is chalav Yisroel. Rest of then have some products that are chalav Yisroel. Just have to ask
Thank you!

Offline Jo 08701

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #901 on: June 27, 2022, 05:53:06 PM »
Looking into Panama.
1- Are the dairy restaurants cholov yisroel?
2- Whats the best way to book a Copa airlines flight with miles?

I was by Jeffrey's and the owner told me its Chalav Yisroel.

Online skyguy918

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #902 on: June 27, 2022, 07:34:20 PM »
https://www.kosher.com.pa/establecimientos-certificados/

Jeffrey's and La Spezia are the only 2 restaurants listed as CY, but there are also some catering/delivery places.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #903 on: June 28, 2022, 01:26:44 PM »
https://www.kosher.com.pa/establecimientos-certificados/

Jeffrey's and La Spezia are the only 2 restaurants listed as CY, but there are also some catering/delivery places.
I was by Jeffrey's and the owner told me its Chalav Yisroel.

Thanks for the info!

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #904 on: June 28, 2022, 01:40:59 PM »
Question about las perlas Islands-I'm thinking of sleeping there for a night.
1-  How far is the ferry ride to las perlas?
2- Which are the best islands and how do you get from one to the other id I dont have a tour guide?
3- And what is there to do there?

Offline cgr

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #905 on: June 28, 2022, 01:41:29 PM »
https://www.kosher.com.pa/establecimientos-certificados/

Jeffrey's and La Spezia are the only 2 restaurants listed as CY, but there are also some catering/delivery places.
Aroma and others have most dishes CY except for a select few. The waiters are very knowledgeable about this.

Offline Aps

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #906 on: June 28, 2022, 01:43:00 PM »
Just came back from Panama and had a amazing trip!

Just a few pointers

If you want to do Pearl Islands and don't want to schlep with the ferry, we hired a private boat for the day "Gem Charters" that took us directly from Panama City to 3 islands, snorkeling, fishing, we saw whales and dolphins
It's pricy but with larger groups it's not much more then the ferry and is very convenient.

Lot's of restaurants mentioned upthread closed during Covid

Yoss Burger is a new upscale burger place that opened right next to the Residence Inn and was Amazing

Super Kosher will be moving soon to a huge supermarket in the same building as the Residence inn, not sure when but it looked all ready when I was there.

Curfew in Panama City was pushed back to 12AM

San Blas is opening back up for tourists mid August

www.gokosherpanama.com is a amazing website with loads of valuable info and constantly updated, You could even contact her and she will help you plan a full itinerary and book hotels free of charge.

How much did you pay for the boat to pearl Islands and how long was the ride?

Offline Aps

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #907 on: June 28, 2022, 01:48:57 PM »
Aroma and others have most dishes CY except for a select few. The waiters are very knowledgeable about this.

Thats good to know. Kava too?
and aria is meat or dairy?

Offline ejb123

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #908 on: June 28, 2022, 02:11:26 PM »
How much did you pay for the boat to pearl Islands and how long was the ride?

Be wary of the potential for very rough seas on the trip to Pearl Island. We had a terrible experience with Gem Charters. Send me a DM and I can provide more details directly.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #909 on: June 28, 2022, 02:32:38 PM »
Thats good to know. Kava too?
and aria is meat or dairy?
I haven't been to Kava so I'll let others comment.
Aria is meat

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #910 on: June 30, 2022, 09:28:04 AM »
Anyone who’s been to Panama recently.  What’s the pricing on the 8 hour tours, for example the Embera village tour?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #911 on: June 30, 2022, 10:29:29 AM »
If anyone is interested in an alternative to pairing Monkey Island/Gatun Lake with Embera (which we had no interest in), we had a great time on this tour: https://www.junglelandpanama.com/canal-expedition-and-monkey-island

It was $100pp and another $20pp for roundtrip transportation from Panama City. We already rented a car, and got a $10pp discount since we brought our own lunch, so it was $90pp. The first half is pretty much the standard Gatun Lake boat tour with Monkey Island, though our guide Juan was really great. We saw the White Faced Capuchins (including them coming on the boat and feeding them), Howlers, sloths, turtles, iguanas. a crocodile (from afar), and lots of birds. Then they take you to this floating lodge/hotel on the lake where they have lunch, a little break, and a choice of activity. We swam off the lodge dock during the break, and then chose the kayak activity, which takes you into a little waterfall/pool in the jungle and back. All in all, would recommend as an alternative to the more standard Monkey Island/Embera combo.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #912 on: June 30, 2022, 01:29:01 PM »
If anyone is interested in an alternative to pairing Monkey Island/Gatun Lake with Embera (which we had no interest in), we had a great time on this tour: https://www.junglelandpanama.com/canal-expedition-and-monkey-island

It was $100pp and another $20pp for roundtrip transportation from Panama City. We already rented a car, and got a $10pp discount since we brought our own lunch, so it was $90pp. The first half is pretty much the standard Gatun Lake boat tour with Monkey Island, though our guide Juan was really great. We saw the White Faced Capuchins (including them coming on the boat and feeding them), Howlers, sloths, turtles, iguanas. a crocodile (from afar), and lots of birds. Then they take you to this floating lodge/hotel on the lake where they have lunch, a little break, and a choice of activity. We swam off the lodge dock during the break, and then chose the kayak activity, which takes you into a little waterfall/pool in the jungle and back. All in all, would recommend as an alternative to the more standard Monkey Island/Embera combo.

Cool will check it out

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #913 on: June 30, 2022, 09:52:28 PM »
Aroma and others have most dishes CY except for a select few. The waiters are very knowledgeable about this.

There are several other establishments that offer "CY" listed on https://www.kosher.com.pa/establecimientos-certificados/.  Contact gokosherpanama.com via their CHAT to get more specific information on which establishments may or may not be acceptable for Ashkenazim.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #914 on: July 01, 2022, 01:45:06 PM »
Next questions:
1- whats the weather like in end of july by pearl island? Is the water warm enough for snorkeling?
2- The tour company says to come to the ferry an hour before to got to pearl island. Any DP's on that realistically how much time i need? (I hate coming earlier then I have to ;) Each to their own)

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #915 on: July 01, 2022, 01:46:18 PM »
There are several other establishments that offer "CY" listed on https://www.kosher.com.pa/establecimientos-certificados/.  Contact gokosherpanama.com via their CHAT to get more specific information on which establishments may or may not be acceptable for Ashkenazim.
Yes i saw there are a couple on there that say CY.
When you talk about not acceptable for Ashkenazim- you mean meat restaurants?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #916 on: July 01, 2022, 02:00:34 PM »
Yes i saw there are a couple on there that say CY.
When you talk about not acceptable for Ashkenazim- you mean meat restaurants?

No, talking about Cholov Yisroel.  No questions about the meat at any of the restaurants. You can DM me or CHAT with Go Kosher Panama for the specifics.

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #917 on: July 01, 2022, 02:08:41 PM »
No, talking about Cholov Yisroel.  No questions about the meat at any of the restaurants. You can DM me or CHAT with Go Kosher Panama for the specifics.

Oh. Ok great- Thank you!

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #918 on: July 07, 2022, 12:36:34 PM »
Anyone who took the ferry to pearl Islands from Amador Causeway- realistically, how early before 7:30 do I have to get there?

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Re: Panama Master Thread
« Reply #919 on: July 07, 2022, 01:32:36 PM »
best fleshig place? not very high end but good food.