If you’re looking for a luxury kosher vacation this winter, Panama could be the perfect destination. The country is warm and welcoming, with year round tropical weather, and is only a 5 hour flight from New York.
Panama is more than just a paradise of tropical rainforests and mountains. It’s a narrow land bridge between two continents, with hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline. To put that in perspective, you can swim in the pristine Pacific Ocean, then jump in your chauffeured SUV for a forty mile drive, and swim in the Caribbean Sea an hour later!
Panama also has a 500 year old Jewish history and a thriving modern Jewish community. Panama City has a reputation as a kosher paradise with some of South and Central America’s best kosher restaurants and food stores. It may not be the best-known travel destination for American Jews, but Panama is a wonderful place for family-friendly kosher vacations.
Gil Travel has decades of experience organizing custom Jewish tours in Latin America and can recommend Panama as a superb tropical getaway that is still refreshingly free from mass tourism.
Why Panama is the Perfect Winter Getaway
If your goal is to escape the bone chilling cold of a New York or Chicago winter, there are hundreds of direct flights to Panama from the US (and Canada and Europe) every week. As soon as you step off the plane in Panama City you’ll feel the relaxing warmth of the country’s year-round tropical weather. The temperature averages out at around 30°C (86°F), which is perfect for a day on the beach, or lounging by the pool with a cold drink, but isn’t uncomfortably hot. If you prefer cooler weather, Gil Travel can suggest a selection of Panamanian mountain retreats.
Panama is (mostly) an easy country to get around, either by private charter flights or chauffeured luxury vehicles with vetted drivers and English speaking guides. Panama has a modern infrastructure with major highways and – of course – the famous Panama Canal. There’s plenty to see, with everything from bustling urban centers and the Casco Viejo UNESCO World Heritage Site, to tropical rainforests teeming with wildlife, grasslands and ranches, sleepy fishing villages and mountain ranges.
One thing everybody likes about Panama is that the people are generally very friendly and welcoming. Outside the bustle of the major cities, the pace of life is pleasantly relaxed and easygoing. It can be a great place to soak up some sunshine and recharge your batteries away from the cold winter climate of North America.
Exploring Panama’s Vibrant Jewish Community
Spanish Jewish adventurers arrived in Panama in the very early 1500s. The first Jewish explorers were crypto-Jews or recent conversos who hoped to escape the Spanish Inquisition. Pedrarias (Pedro Arias Dávila) the founder and first governor of Panama City had Jewish ancestry, as did a number of influential colonists.
During the Portuguese period (1580 -1640), an interesting character by the name of Sebastián Rodríguez organized a network of secret Jewish worshipers in Panama. He even established a secret shul on Calafates Street near the Catholic Cathedral in Panama City. The Inquisition dismantled the network in an event called the Great Conspiracy in 1640, driving covert Judaism deeper underground.
Sephardic Jews outlasted their Inquisitorial persecutors and the Panamanian Jewish community experienced a gradual resurgence from the 1820s. New immigrants arrived from Europe and the Levant, attracted by economic opportunities and established a secure Jewish community. It’s difficult to define exactly how many Jews there are in Panama today – not least because nobody agrees on the exact definition of Jewishness. Some estimates are that as many as 25,000 people in Panama identify as Jewish.
The country elected three Jewish presidents in the 20th century and the modern community is well-integrated, confident and vibrant. Anti-Semitism isn’t a problem in Panama and its Jews enjoy friendly relations with other communities. American Jews who visit Panama will receive a warm welcome.
Explore Panama’s Diverse Mix of Synagogues
In 1933, Jewish immigrants from Syria established the Shevet Achim Orthodox synagogue in Panama City. Shevet Achim provides kashrut supervision for establishments that serve meat products and is one of six synagogues and five Jewish schools in the city. The Ahavat Sion Synagogue was also founded by Syrian Jews, many of whom originated in the city of Aleppo.
US Jews who want to join Shabbat services usually go to the Ashkenazi Beth El Synagogue or the Reform Kol Shearith Israel. The Chabad Panama Synagogue also extends a warm welcome to guests. Don’t expect to see spectacular facades and Moorish or Baroque architecture when you explore Panama’s synagogues. Their external designs tend towards modern and functional, while the interiors vary from modern to traditionally ornate.
All the synagogues act as a hub for community activities and events. If you want to meet local Panamanian Jews, Gil Travel can arrange introductions and invitations to social events. There’s a strong sense of community amongst Panama’s Jews and they enjoy extending hospitality to visitors. It’s easy to make lifelong friends if you make the effort to meet locals. You’ll also get the lowdown on the best kosher eateries and perhaps even get to sample some tasty home cooking.
When you plan your tailored itinerary, Gil Travel will update you with the latest cultural and community events and can also arrange for lectures, special historical tours or even cookery classes. The Jewish community is young and energetic and there is a lot going on. If you’re travelling with teens or younger children, it’s possible to arrange plenty of age-appropriate activities with a Jewish theme, or even just a friendly game of soccer or a nature ramble with locals.
Kosher Dining in Panama
If there were prizes for kosher dining in Latin America, Panama would win most of them hands down (although Argentinian Jews may disagree). Panama City has around 40 kosher restaurants as well as a massive kosher supermarket and delis (there’s a good choice of delicacies imported from Israel and the US). When you explore Panama City you can try everything from traditional Panamanian food, to kosher ice cream, sushi and Israeli shawarma and falafel street snacks.
Restaurants and eateries come and go and nothing beats local knowledge when it comes to food. If you’re serious about exploring local cuisine, Gil Travel guides can arrange gourmet kosher food tours that take you straight to the best places in town. They can also organize appetizing home cooked Shabbat dinners, or for kosher meal deliveries to your hotel.
There is a good choice of kosher/kosher friendly hotels in Panama City and they operate under full mashgiach supervision or come with local Chabad recommendation. Gil Travel will help you to choose a kosher or Shabbat compliant luxury hotel, or self-catering accommodation that’s within walking distance of a synagogue or that has a suitable prayer room.
Top Attractions to Enjoy During Your Stay
Panama has loads of interesting activities for family-friendly kosher vacations. One of the most iconic and spectacular attractions is the Panama canal, the huge global shipping artery that divides a continent and unites two oceans. The Panama Canal is one of the world’s great engineering marvels and the best way to see it is either by a boat cruise or a helicopter ride.
If you’re looking for golden sands, palm trees, blue seas (and some amazing surf) Bocas del Toro could be your dream tropical getaway in Panama. The Carribean island resort is close to a genuine Garden of Eden. As well as strong surf, the coastline includes the sheltered Starfish Beach and some unique opportunities for birdwatching. If you’ve got energetic kids, or love watersports, you’ll quite possibly fall in love with the ‘Bocas Town’ archipelago.
The Casco Viejo old quarter of Panama City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a special place for a private walking tour with a guide who really knows the history of the district and its charming colonial architecture. The Casco Viejo was built in 1673 after the original city was torched to deny it to the pirate Henry Morgan. Piracy is no longer a problem in Panama and the modern Casco Viejo is a vibrant area where bars, restaurants and boutique hotels blend into the historical background.
Panama is a tropical county where nature thrives. If you want to experience the region’s amazing biodiversity, Gil Travel will arrange custom eco- tours of the splendid Gamboa Rainforest reserve. Options include sleeping in luxury lodges, riverboat excursions on the Chagres River, guided rainforest hikes, visits to local indigenous forest communities, lectures by wildlife experts, and a chance to safely encounter a variety of native flora and fauna. The Gamboa Rainforest is an adventure, but it’s an adventure you can experience in complete comfort and at your own pace.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Trip
US and Canadian citizens can visit Panama for up to 180 days without a visa. The best time to travel is during the dry season which is basically from December to April; ideal for an enjoyable wintertime kosher vacation. Panama is a modern country with a western infrastructure and there’s no need for a special packing list.
Take some comfortable and lightweight smart-casual clothing that will allow you to dress conservatively when you visit synagogues or other religious sites, and dine in good restaurants. Otherwise, make sure you have a sun hat, sunscreen and whatever you’d normally wear in a warm climate.
Panama is one of the least-well known but most rewarding warm winter destinations for kosher travel. It’s a friendly country with a welcoming Jewish community, two beautiful long coastlines, rainforests and luxury resorts. Talk to Gil Travel today about a tailored, family-friendly trip to Panama and get ready to escape the winter cold!
