Party City, Panama
Living notes:
El congrejo is the best place to live (most similar to Griffintown)
Rent: about 1400 USD for 3 bedrooms (+a couple of parking spots)
Good transport, mostly walkable
Has a Jewish Quarter supposedly founded by a Jew
30min to the closest swimmable beach
According to Jewish Virtual Library, ~20% of Panama’s Jewish community is Israeli
Purchasing: 3-4 bedroom apartment can cost about 300k give or take
El Cangrejo is a place where you can truly live—whether you’re a family with kids, a single millennial looking for a neighborhood with soul, or a fresh-from-Tocumen Airport arrival, as I was.
https://internationalliving.com/my-panama-city-neighborhoods/
apartment reference - https://panamahomerealty.com/properties/charm-apartment-for-rent-in-el-cangrejo
Coffee places ideas:
Cafein (Jewish owned)
Pita Pan (Jewish owned)
El cafe con teclas (jewish owned and soooo pretty! also brunch place)
Unido (their tim hortons/Starbucks)
Bajareque Coffee House (uses geisha beans which are citrius in nature)
Local (Casa Sucre Coffeehouse )
Leto Coffee (open concept and modern)
Restaurant
Stores to try :
Super Kosher (jewish)
Deli K Mart (Jewish)
Soho Market
super 99 (their Maxi)
DRAFT TRIP
Feb 1-8
Day 1 – Arrival & Settling In (El Cangrejo)
**no car rental needed
Arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Metro $3 USD (~$4 CAD)
Check into Airbnb in El Cangrejo (80-90CAD per night)
Walk around neighborhood, coffee / groceries: $10–30 USD (~$14–41 CAD)
Explore Cinta Costera by bike (rental): $5 USD (~$7 CAD)
Dinner outisde or cook? $0-25 USD (~0-$34 CAD)
Day 2 – Panama City Exploration (San Francisco, Avenida Balboa, Canal)
Breakfast at local café: $5–10 USD (~$7–14 CAD)
Panama Canal
Lunch outside, or sandwiches? (20CAD)
Explore San Francisco / grocery / cafés: $10–20 USD (~$14–27 CAD)
Nightlife rooftop bar: $30–40 USD (~$41–54 CAD)
Day 3 – Beach Day
***Car not needed, but need to arrive and leave early! Last ferry is at 3:30pm or 5:30pm on weekends.
Metro 3USD (4CAD) or Uber/taxi to ferry terminal:$2–5 USD (~$3–7 CAD)
Ferry roundtrip to Taboga: $24 USD (~$27–33 CAD)
Beach or snorkel time
Lunch on the island or sandwiches: $12–20 USD (~$16–27 CAD)
Go back to the Airbnb
Enjoy the evening with activity of our choice
Day 4 - Beach and Surfing
**Need Car
Drive 1h Playa El Palmar $10–15 USD (~$14–20 CAD)
Surfboard rental + lesson:
$25–35 USD (~$34–48 CAD)
Lunch (beach café):
$10–15 USD (~$14–20 CAD)
Snorkel gear rental
Snacks / drinks:
$5–10 USD (~$7–14 CAD)
Dinner back in the city (or cook): $15–20 USD (~$20–27 CAD)
Day 5 – Flying to Bocas del Toro (400-500CAD)
Settle in the accommodation (80-90 CAD per night)
Taxi (5CAD)
Visit starfish beach or plastic village (via uber because there is no public transport)
Bioluminescenece trip - https://www.pangeabocas.com/experiences-pangea/our-tours-pangea/bioluminescence-tour ( 64 USD per person)
Day 6 – Bocas del Toro / San Blas Islands (includes transport and 1 night sleep over)
Day trip including swimming with sharks (254 USD)
https://www.pangeabocas.com/experiences-pangea/our-tours-pangea/isla-tiburonIsland hopping /
Lunch / snacks: $15–20 USD (~$20–27 CAD)
Day 7 – Fly back to Panama city
Relax a bit and fly back to MTL