Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 306892 times)

myi · « **Reply #1040 on:** August 12, 2022, 04:45:21 AM »

Which is nicer?
Hilton Panama
Or
Hilton WA?

The ones off the water.

shmulys15 · « **Reply #1041 on:** August 12, 2022, 06:04:52 AM »

We just came back from a quick trip to Panama (3 days) and this group is awesome - reading through the 53 pages and the trip reports really gives you a solid base to start planning your trip - as they say Gracias!
Here is what we did:
Day 1: Uber to Burke's bike rentals at amador causeway - rented bikes for $5 an hour, found the famous Panama sign at the end of the causeway. Hiked up ancon hill. Lunch at Jeffreys. Dinner at Lula Casco and walked around a bit in the old city, we got there for the end of Sunrise which is quite neat (there is a rooftop bar that was mentioned in one of the trip reports...)
Day 2: San Blas we used a private driver and boat (as I wrote above) Travelling Souls Panama - Josias, he was a real pleasure to deal with and was exactly what we needed to enjoy San Blas. Dinner at Aria.
Day 3: Went to Nativa falls - to get there to the falls we first went horseback riding half the way and then hiked the rest, and then enjoyed the falls. On the way back to Panama city we went to Chame creek, where you could swim, jump in etc.
Have some pics and will see if I can figure out how to post.
We stayed at Waldorf Astoria and worked for us (we checked out 7:30 AM before our tour to the falls, and they held our luggage as most hotels do, but they also have a business center where there is a shower, which was very useful for us after our day hiking etc) they also have a great spa.
Didn't register for a shul - Beth El didn't let me in, however the security guard told me to go to Shevat Achim and they were much easier, a community member spoke to me and with my passport was able to get in.
For those who have no patience reading all the trip reports and doing the research - we met many people who used Go Kosher Panama and were very happy with the service.
If you want to plan your own trip - highly recommend reaching out to Travelling Souls Panama (in addition to the other great tour guides mentioned).

Aps · « **Reply #1042 on:** August 12, 2022, 11:48:20 AM »

Quote from: shmulys15 on August 12, 2022, 06:04:52 AM

Have some pics and will see if I can figure out how to post.

Its fairly easy- You get them on your computer- email them to yourself and download. Then when you are typing a reply to the thread- right under the white box is the blue "p" button that says "add image to post"

shmulys15 · « **Reply #1043 on:** August 15, 2022, 01:28:36 PM »

Thanks - will see if I can add the pictures.
Btw - if your inbox is full you can't get private messages.
We used Travelling Souls Panama for both of our tours.

askmoses · « **Reply #1044 on:** August 17, 2022, 09:28:29 PM »

Quote from: yuneeq on August 07, 2022, 07:14:04 PM

I did it without any guides and had lots of fun. Just get to the Pearl islands and hire any of the boats at the shore. Didn’t pay a lot and was shown everything.

You took flight to Contadora Island (and not some other unknown airstrip there) right?

yuneeq · « **Reply #1045 on:** August 18, 2022, 01:34:50 AM »

Quote from: askmoses on August 17, 2022, 09:28:29 PM

You took flight to Contadora Island (and not some other unknown airstrip there) right?

Correct. Some have said this flight is no longer available. DYOR

myi · « **Reply #1046 on:** August 18, 2022, 06:28:18 AM »

Quote from: yuneeq on August 08, 2022, 07:27:40 AM

Took a flight but yes.

Nice. What did you pay?
Ferries were $98 to the island for a RT ticket.

And I saw for a flight they wanted around $250 pp if you had 4 ppl.
Though if you had more like 11 ppl they had a much better deal. There are a few airlines and charters to buy from should you want to fly vs taking a ferry which is 2hrs long and some ppl might not enjoy it.(lots of waves, bumps, sea sick..)

yuneeq · « **Reply #1047 on:** August 18, 2022, 09:41:57 AM »

Quote from: myi on August 18, 2022, 06:28:18 AM

Nice. What did you pay?
Ferries were $98 to the island for a RT ticket.

And I saw for a flight they wanted around $250 pp if you had 4 ppl.
Though if you had more like 11 ppl they had a much better deal. There are a few airlines and charters to buy from should you want to fly vs taking a ferry which is 2hrs long and some ppl might not enjoy it.(lots of waves, bumps, sea sick..)

Going to answer with all the info I found because people keep asking and it’s basically a dead end.

We paid $51/pp one way with Air Panama (returned with ferry for $45/pp at the time). The route was PAC-OTD (OTD is a barely searchable airstrip). That flight has been discontinued and there are no commercial airlines serving OTD.

Curious to see what specific charter options you found. $250 for 4 passengers is a great price, assuming that’s just one way? $500 RT is just an extra $100 compared to ferry.

For me the flight was my most exhilarating and breathtaking flying experience, by far. It was a small 12 seater, and half the way we were the only passengers.

stsschw · « **Reply #1048 on:** August 22, 2022, 04:15:05 AM »

Quote from: shmulys15 on August 12, 2022, 06:04:52 AM

We just came back from a quick trip to Panama (3 days) and this group is awesome - reading through the 53 pages and the trip reports really gives you a solid base to start planning your trip - as they say Gracias!
Here is what we did:
Day 1: Uber to Burke's bike rentals at amador causeway - rented bikes for $5 an hour, found the famous Panama sign at the end of the causeway. Hiked up ancon hill. Lunch at Jeffreys. Dinner at Lula Casco and walked around a bit in the old city, we got there for the end of Sunrise which is quite neat (there is a rooftop bar that was mentioned in one of the trip reports...)
Day 2: San Blas we used a private driver and boat (as I wrote above) Travelling Souls Panama - Josias, he was a real pleasure to deal with and was exactly what we needed to enjoy San Blas. Dinner at Aria.
Day 3: Went to Nativa falls - to get there to the falls we first went horseback riding half the way and then hiked the rest, and then enjoyed the falls. On the way back to Panama city we went to Chame creek, where you could swim, jump in etc.
Have some pics and will see if I can figure out how to post.
We stayed at Waldorf Astoria and worked for us (we checked out 7:30 AM before our tour to the falls, and they held our luggage as most hotels do, but they also have a business center where there is a shower, which was very useful for us after our day hiking etc) they also have a great spa.
Didn't register for a shul - Beth El didn't let me in, however the security guard told me to go to Shevat Achim and they were much easier, a community member spoke to me and with my passport was able to get in.
For those who have no patience reading all the trip reports and doing the research - we met many people who used Go Kosher Panama and were very happy with the service.
If you want to plan your own trip - highly recommend reaching out to Travelling Souls Panama (in addition to the other great tour guides mentioned).

Go Kosher Panama can help you plan your itinerary and then you can book the tours and hotels on your own or they can book for you. (You do your own airline and restaurant reservations). For larger groups, they can book your airport transfers as well - gokosherpanama.com/contact is the best way to get in touch.

Tzvi687 · « **Reply #1049 on:** August 24, 2022, 01:45:41 PM »

Coffee bean has kosher food or just drinks?

asks · « **Reply #1050 on:** August 25, 2022, 12:48:17 PM »

Is IMAX open at Panama canal? Reservations needed?

cgr · « **Reply #1051 on:** August 25, 2022, 12:52:19 PM »

Quote from: Tzvi687 on August 24, 2022, 01:45:41 PM

Coffee bean has kosher food or just drinks?

Depends on location but food as well.

Ace.of.spades · « **Reply #1052 on:** August 25, 2022, 04:15:03 PM »

Do I need a negative Covid test or proof of vaccine to travel to Panama?

shmulys15 · « **Reply #1053 on:** August 25, 2022, 04:19:03 PM »

As of a few weeks ago - you had to fill out a health attestation, which required either proof of vaccine or negative test. (Don't know if anything switched just now)
https://viajes.panamadigital.gob.pa/

stsschw · « **Reply #1054 on:** August 28, 2022, 06:40:59 PM »

Quote from: Ace.of.spades on August 25, 2022, 04:15:03 PM

Do I need a negative Covid test or proof of vaccine to travel to Panama?

Yes - you need to complete the Panama Health Affadavit and upload a copy of your CDC vaccine card or a negative rapid test for anyone over the age of 5 years old.
There is a link to the Panama Covid Guidelines on the gokosherpanama.com Home Page.

myb821 · « **Reply #1055 on:** August 31, 2022, 09:54:17 AM »

Quote from: stsschw on August 28, 2022, 06:40:59 PM

Yes - you need to complete the Panama Health Affadavit and upload a copy of your CDC vaccine card or a negative rapid test for anyone over the age of 5 years old.
There is a link to the Panama Covid Guidelines on the gokosherpanama.com Home Page.

Can you show electronic proof?

PBaruch · « **Reply #1056 on:** September 01, 2022, 03:29:18 PM »

Trying to help a friend plan a Panama trip - he doesn't want to pay a lot for tours so Sorhay is out. Anyone have cheap(er) alternatives that you can recommend?

shmulys15 · « **Reply #1057 on:** September 01, 2022, 04:00:53 PM »

You can try Travelling Souls Panama - Josias, +507 6049-1484. Not sure if will fit your budget, but if they do, we had a great experience with them.

stsschw · « **Reply #1058 on:** September 01, 2022, 05:06:35 PM »

Quote from: PBaruch on September 01, 2022, 03:29:18 PM

Trying to help a friend plan a Panama trip - he doesn't want to pay a lot for tours so Sorhay is out. Anyone have cheap(er) alternatives that you can recommend?

Go Kosher Panama has a number of different options that are not in the Sorhay range. Have them fill out the form at gokosherpanama.com/contact and they will help your friends plan their itinerary within their budget.

asks · « **Reply #1059 on:** September 01, 2022, 05:21:53 PM »

You can try Patricia Abadi at Panama Kosher Experience on Whatsapp 507-6747-9370

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Author Topic: Panama Master Thread (Read 306892 times)