Exploring Panama: A 7-Day Adventure with Shabbos Included

Here’s a detailed account of a 7-day vacation in Panama, including Shabbos, perfect for anyone planning a trip to this amazing country!

: KOSHER & JEWISH TRAVEL- Exploring Panama: A 7-Day Adventure with Shabbos Included

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 Introducing Metziahs Travel! We are thrilled to unveil our new feature dedicated to showcasing cities that are perfect for Jewish families seeking kosher and practical travel options. 

From vibrant neighborhoods to family-friendly activities, we'll highlight destinations that cater to your needs while offering a rich cultural experience. Join us on this journey to discover the best places for your next family adventure! 

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Day 1: Arrival in Panama City

We landed in Panama City on Wednesday evening, and since many stores were closed, we had to look for late-night dining options. We found Tostado, which was a gem!

This deli offers incredible sandwiches at excellent prices and was open past midnight—ideal for our late arrival.

For accommodations, we stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Panama City. It is located in the heart of the Jewish community. Chabad is a 3 min walk away. What makes this hotel exceptionally convenient is the large supermarket ‘Super Kosher’ located in the same building. It offers a wide variety of products, including a bakery with fresh dairy items, pizza and more (not Cholov Yisroel), a meat restaurant, and much more.

This hotel is a comfortable choice with a pretty solid ‘rooftop’ pool. While they provide towels, there are no kid’s toys or puddle jumpers available.

I recommend requesting a lower floor, as the hotel’s lowest floor is the 5th. This will make walking up to your room on Shabbos much easier.

Additionally, there are about 5 restaurants within a 5-minute walk of the hotel!

Here are a few kosher restaurants within a 5-minute walk of the hotel:

• Yoss Burger
• Pita Plus
• Aroma Cafe (Cholov Yisroel)
• Jeffrey’s bakery (some Cholov Yisroel items including Pizza))
• and some more I cannot recall offhand 🙂

Did you know? Panama City has the third-highest number of skyscrapers in the Americas, after New York City and Chicago. Beyond the modern skyline, you’ll find incredibly impoverished neighborhoods just minutes away. It’s truly a fascinating mix of worlds!

Day 2: Thursday’s Excursion

On Thursday, we set off to Monkey Island, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our trip! Nestled in the scenic Chagras River, just over an hour away, this adventure allowed us to see and interact with a variety of cool monkeys. Some even jumped onto our boat and ate right from our hands!

The boat ride took about an hour and a half, but we spotted our first monkeys within the first half hour. Instead of cruising far and wide, the boat finds the perfect spot to enjoy the experience of feeding these adorable creatures. It was truly a magical and picture-perfect day!

Day 3: Friday – Panama Canal Exploration

Friday was dedicated to exploring the Panama Canal. The visit starts with a 45-minute IMAX film that provides an insightful overview of the canal’s history and operations.

Did you know? You’ll notice mezuzahs on the canal doors; this is because the Jewish community donated the museum to the government. Afterward, we watched ships navigate through the canal.

Pro Tip: If you want to stay updated on ship timings, definitely download the Panama Canal app!

For an unforgettable experience, check with the canal office about arranging a private tour. This exclusive tour gets you just 10 feet away from the ships!

While the usual price is $200 for a two-hour tour, we managed to negotiate it down to $100 for an hour-long experience for our group (they’re flexible with the number of participants). Just remember, this special tour is only for those 14 and older. Enjoy the adventure!

Day 4 Shabbos: Shabbos in Panama

• REMEMBER TO COMPLETE THE SECURITY FORM BEFORE SHABBOS, TO ENTER THE SHULS & REMEMBER YOUR ‘NUMBER’ – Visitors.centraldsi.com

• Friday Night: We attended the Friday night seudah at Chabad of Panama, a short 3-minute walk from our hotel. The meal was friendly and well-prepared, costing $52 per adult and $36 per child. Lots of meat boards! Whatsapp Chabad for reservations and more info: +507 6617-8280
• Shabbos Day: We davened and enjoyed a meal at Beth El Synagogue, the only Ashkenazi shul in Panama. This large shul, with over 600 seats, offered a beautiful and enriching Shabbos experience. They offer a shabbos day (only) seudah which was solid, though it was noted that the quality might vary depending on the events scheduled (we visited during a Bar Mitzvah week). The cost is $45 per adult and $25 per child. Whatsapp Miriam for reservations and more info: +507 6867-2929
• Motzei Shabbos: You can bring your own havdala items, join the Havdala service at Chabad, or visit a local bakery (I think Yoss Bakery) that has Havdalah at 8:30 PM (smart marketing!)

Day 5: Sunday Resort Relaxation

On Sunday morning, we checked out of the Marriott Residence Inn and checked into The Westin Playa Bonita. Located approx 20 minutes from the heart of Panama City, this resort features beautiful beach views and several pools. You can also find beautiful seashells to collect!

In the distance you can see the boats lined up, waiting their turn to cross the Panama Canal.

We enjoyed the serenity of the nearly empty resort, took advantage of the 4-5 pools, and ping pong tables, and accessed the lounge on the 19th floor for unlimited drinks and snacks (note: only granola bars were kosher).

Lounge access comes free with a suite, and elite Marriott status and up.

Day 6: Snorkeling Adventure

Monday took us on a 2-hour drive to the Caribbean coast for snorkeling. Panama is truly one-of-a-kind! We started our day at the stunning Pacific Ocean, then we embarked on a pretty cool drive that took us across the country (the short way) to the beautiful Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean). Passing through Colón on the way, was quite an eye-opening experience. Happy people but some rough conditions…

The boat took us on a 10-minute ride to a beautiful beach area where had some private space to swim, eat lunch, and then go snorkeling. There are stunning seashells to collect, realy all over.

The tour charged $5 per ‘snorkle’ but we strongly recommend bringing your own if you don’t want to use someone else’s straw 🙂

Here are 2 links for great affordable snorkels:

2 kids for $39.99 or get 1 adult for $29.87

We packed sandwiches for lunch and spent the day watching the vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish. On the way back, we stopped by an old fort for some quick photos, but the water had definitely worn us out!

Did you know? The average monthly income in Panama is $700. (Stat taken from our 20+ Uber drivers)

Day 7: Exploring Panama City

Tuesday was dedicated to exploring Panama City. We spent the day swimming at the resort, skimming the MULTIPLAZA which is a beautiful mall owned by Jews in Panama (and the street name is Israel Drive). The mall boasts lots of high-end designer shops including Chanel, Gucci, and Cartier – they have popular stores like H&M and Zara’s as well.

We also visited the old city – Casco Viejo or Casco Antiqua – where the Presidential Palace is located. We picked up some souvenirs and enjoyed the local vibe.

Although we didn’t find it until later, there is a kosher restaurant in the old city worth checking out called Lula Casco.

Day 8: Fun on the Causeway

Our final day was spent at the Causeway. This scenic area connects two islands and is perfect for renting ATVs or electric scooters. It’s a relaxed and fun way to explore the area. We also discovered a kosher ice cream and ices store there, offering a sweet treat to wrap up our trip.

There’s another place we didn’t get to visit, but it’s on our to-do list for the next trip: Bocas El Toro. It’s just a quick 45-minute flight from Panama City and boasts breathtaking islands reminiscent of the Maldives with a Bora Bora vibe!

FINAL POINTERS AND TIPS:

• Car Rentals: We strongly advise against renting a car. The lack of traffic lights and the challenging street crossings can make driving quite intimidating. Ubers are about $3 within the city as well!
• Dining Costs: Expect to pay around $18 for a main dish with sides at restaurants. Salads can be found for well under $15.
• Sunset: Shkiah is about 2 hours earlier than in the NYC area (in the Summer)
• Seasons: Our summer coincides with their winter. Kids are in school, so it’s quieter, though it tends to be rainier as well.
• Sun Protection: The sun is very intense, even with some cloud cover. Be sure to apply sunscreen liberally to protect against strong UV rays!
• Accessing Shuls: To enter any main shul, you must complete a form and remember your ID number or bring your passport.
• Jew safety: Panama City is safe. As always use precautions. But the general tourist areas are perfectly safe & you can travel with a Streimel and you will be safer than in Times Square. Obviously, if you go to the city in Colon or an ‘inner area’ you may run into some trouble.
• Safety Precautions: Overall, tours and the country may have a more relaxed approach to safety. Please use common sense! Be cautious of potholes on sidewalks and observe safety when engaging in activities like horse riding or ATV riding on the sidewalks. We spoke with a man who fell off a horse and broke his arm and a woman whose saddle fell off in the middle of a ride…

Conclusion

Our week in Panama was an excellent blend of cultural experiences, relaxation, and adventure. From the unique encounters with monkeys to the awe-inspiring Panama Canal, and a perfect Shabbos getaway, it was a trip full of memorable moments. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant culture or relaxing by the beach, Panama offers something for everyone. Lastly, with more than 25 restaurants, you can’t go wrong! Enjoy your trip!

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Our favorite foods that stood out!

• Jeffries delicious chocolate cake
• The cafe in super kosher‘s pizza and their cheese knishes – Not cholev Yisroel
• Lasagne, mozzarella sticks in Aroma
• Adama‘s bread, pastrami Pizza (forgot what they call it), and grilled chicken was delicious and the ambiance was incredible!
• Grila had fantastic sweet & sour chicken, salads, arayes and more!

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We just wrapped up an exciting trip to Panama, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on our recap! What city should we explore next? Whether it’s a favorite destination or a hidden gem, your suggestions are invaluable to us! Please comment below! To reach our travel team, click HERE

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