Frequently asked questions

Panama has a dry and a rainy season. The dry season typically runs from end of December thru March. Temperatures all year round hover in the high 80s to low 90’s. When it does rain from April through December, it may rain for a short period of time, a couple of hours or maybe somewhere else in Panama and you will only see sun and clouds. downpour. It will always be 85 - 90 degrees, hot and humid.

Geographically, it is in the Eastern Time zone. However, since Panama does not change their clocks for Daylight Savings Time, they are 1 hour behind or on Central time from March thru November.

There are plenty of choices to choose from when you are ready to leave the airport. You can choose to use Uber, take a taxi or you can arrange for a driver prior to your arrival. You can also rent a car from one of the many companies operating in Panama. See our Transportation page for more options.

You don't need to rent a car. When you book tours with our tour operators you will be picked up and dropped where ever you are staying. Moving around the city by Uber is easy and cheap. If you do decide to rent be aware that there are mandatory third party insurances that can range from $18 - $25 per day. Be sure to check with the rental agencies when making reservations.

Yes, there are many hotels within a short walking distance to the synagogues and kosher restaurants in Paitilla, Punta Pacifica, Marbella & Bella Vista. Go Kosher Panama has access to great rates at the Hilton, Waldorf and some other hotels im Panama City. See the Hotels page for the hotels within the Eruv

There are regular services throughout the week and Shabbat. For security reasons davening times are not publicly available.

You will need to pre-arrange your security clearance in order to enter a number of the synagogues.

Please complete the following form prior to arriving in Panama: Visitors Registration Form. Make sure to select Go Kosher Panama as the "Kosher Tour Provider" in the form.

The symbol is a K with a crown on top. The color of the symbol indicates whether it is Dairy (BLUE), Meat (RED), Green (PAREVE).

During the December & January reservations are a must. It is advisable to make your reservations as soon as you know your plan for your day. Many of the restaurants will close for private events and you will be notified if you have a reservation. Otherwise, you will only find out once you arrive and THEN have to figure out where to go for your dinner.

There are several restaurants listed on gokosherpanama.com/food that offer Cholov Yisroel.

It is suggested that you ask the pertinent questions to ensure that the establishment's standards meet your own.

The supermarkets carry a full line of Cholov Yisroel products as well.

There are currently no restaurants outside of Panama City. There is a supermarket in Coronado that carries a wide selection of kosher packaged items. Many of the restaurants and caterers in Panama City have also begun to deliver to the beach areas on a limited and scheduled basis.

Not yet! Check the Shabbat page on the website for the Shabbat meal options available when you are in Panama

• If your phone uses an eSIM, you can get a discounted international calling plan from BOSS Revolution. Click here for more information.

• Check with your wireless calling provider to see if they include an international calling plan or if you can add one to your subscription.

• You can purchase a hard SIM card at the airport.

The visitor is about a half an hour ride by car from the center of Panama City. You can purchase tickets ahead of time at visitcanaldepanama.com.

The schedule changes each day. The morning schedule is usually completed between 8:00AM - 9:00AM. The boats start arriving again in the afternoon as early as 12:30PM and as late as 3:00PM.

Yes - Taboga Island is about 30 minutes from the Amador Causeway by public ferry. The Pearl Islands/Contadora is a 90 minute ride on the ferry from Amador. For a special beach day you charter a private boat for the day to either of the islands. Contact one of the operators on the Tour Guides & Agencies page to book an excursion to a Caribbean Beach for the day.

The resorts are approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by car.

You can arrange with one of the drivers listed on the Transportation page.

You can plan for a full week in Panama City and plan for day trips each day. If you would like to spend some time outside of the city, you can fly to Bocas del Toro, Boquete or at a beach resort.

• Bocas del Toro and Boquete are a 1 hour flight from the city

• Both destinations have a Chabad so that you don't need to bring food with you. In Bocas del Toro, the Chabad is on the main island called Isla Colon. They will deliver to many of the hotels and resorts on that island as well as the surrounding islands. There is a delivery charge.

• In Boquete you can get breakfast and/or lunches at Morton's Bakehouse. You can order dinners to be prepared for delivery or pick up from the Chabad.

No shots are required at this time. (Consult with you medical professional).

• Panama’s local currency is the Balboa, but the dollar is an accepted currency all through the country.

• When you do pay with dollar bills, it is likely you will receive coin change in Balboas.

The Beach resorts and the larger supermarkets will accept credit cards. When travelling to any of the islands make sure to have cash as the hotels, tour operators and local merchants may not accept credit cards.

Yes, they are the same (110 v) and no adapters are needed.

There are several hospitals in the immediate Panama City vicinity.

Pacífica Salud Hospital Punta Pacífica: Boulevard Pacífica y Vía Punta Darién https://www.pacificasalud.com (Affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medical Center )

Centro Medico Paitilla: Avenida Balboa con calle 53

https://hospitalpaitilla.com/