Jewish Travel Guide
to Panama
Panama City is home to one of Latin America's most vibrant Jewish communities with close to 40 certified kosher establishments, multiple synagogues, daily minyanim, eruv, mikvahs, and everything for a fully observant vacation.
Hatzala Panama
Jewish volunteer emergency medical services. Rapid community response, around the clock.
Panama Emergency
911
Police
104
Fire / Ambulance
103
Shabbat in Panama
Candle Lighting
Near the equator — consistent year-round, typically 5:45-6:15 PM. Check chabadpanama.com for exact times.
Shabbat Meals
Shabbat in a Box is a Chabad service. Please check directly with them for details and arrangements.
Eruv
Covers main Jewish neighborhoods: Punta Pacifica, Paitilla, parts of Marbella, Bella Vista, Cinta Costera.
Stay in Paitilla or Punta Pacifica — walking distance to shuls, restaurants, and within the eruv.
Order meals early — Shabbos in a Box and caterers need advance notice, especially for groups.
No reservation at Chabad — walk in for any of 3 daily minyanim. All welcome.
Our properties — many are within the eruv and walking distance to shuls. Ask when booking!
Synagogues
Panama City has synagogues for every denomination. Shevet Ahim alone operates 4 in the city and 3 in beach resorts.
Shevet Ahim
Orthodox SephardicLargest and most prominent synagogue. Daily Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv. Operates the main kosher certification (Shechita glatt chalak Beit Yosef). Mikvah on premises.
Beth El
Orthodox AshkenaziCentral for Jews of European origin. Beautiful modern building (2012). Active community with regular services and classes.
Ahavat Sion
Orthodox SephardicHeart of the Syrian Jewish community (Aleppo origin). Active educational center. Warm and welcoming to visitors.
Kol Shearith Israel
ReformFounded 1876 — oldest Jewish congregation in Panama and Central America. Affiliated with Isaac Rabin School.
Chabad Panama
Chabad-Lubavitch3 daily minyanim year-round, no reservation needed. Shabbat meals for travelers, Torah classes, and full visitor services.
Eruv
Covers Punta Pacifica, Punta Paitilla, parts of Marbella, Bella Vista, Av. Balboa, and Cinta Costera.
Mikvahs
Two in the city: Shevet Ahim and Ahavat Sion.
Daily Minyanim
Chabad has 3 daily. Shevet Ahim and Beth El also hold regular services.
Restaurants
Close to 40 certified establishments. All meat under Shevet Ahim (glatt chalak Beit Yosef).
Panama's Kosher Directory
Always verify hechsher status before visiting — listings, hours and certifications change.
Showing 22 restaurants
Sababi Pita
MeatMediterranean pita creations. New 2025.
El Nacional by Chef Ayelet
DairyCreative dairy cuisine. Israeli-inspired dishes.
Emilia Gelato & Cafe
DairyItalian gelato cafe. Handcrafted.
Pinkberry
DairyFrozen yogurt with fresh fruit.
Baked Goods & Events
Jeffrey's Bakery
Best kosher baked goods and breakfast. Stone oven pizza, crepes, full cafe.
Calle Ramon H. Jurado, Paitilla
4.6 stars on Google
Candies Bazaar
Bakery and full-service catering. Desserts, cakes, Jewish specialty dishes, event planning.
Punta Pacifica, next to Banco General
507 269-4857
Yoss Bakery + Cafe
Pastries, breakfast items, desserts, to-go snacks.
Paitilla Mall, Calle 56
Super Kosher Bakery
Fresh bread, challah, pastries daily inside the supermarket.
Calle Ramon H. Jurado
Pita Pan
Fresh pita bread and Middle Eastern baked goods.
Avenida Italia
Breadz Gluten Free
Gluten-free kosher bakery. Bread, pastries, cakes.
Shabbos in a Box
Complete Shabbat meals delivered. Perfect for travelers.
Kosher Supermarkets
Super Kosher
80,000 sq. ft. facility (2021). Full supermarket with meats, cheeses, fruits, groceries, and imports from US and Israel. Houses Metsuyan dairy restaurant and sushi bar.
DeliK Market
In-house meat restaurant. Local and imported products — fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, fish, bakery, take-out, wines.
Interactive Map
Every synagogue, kosher restaurant, supermarket, and bakery from this guide — plotted on one map. Click any pin or list item for details and directions.
Kosher Tours
Our recommended partner for kosher-friendly tours and transfers across Panama.
Panama Travel Co.
Full-service tour operator with Jewish-traveler-friendly itineraries. Private guides, kosher-meal coordination, transfers, day trips, and beach excursions across Panama. Supports our properties with seamless booking for every stay.
Book a tour →Jewish Community
Panama has one of Latin America's most established Jewish communities, ~20,000+ members.
Schools
Isaac Rabin — Reform
Alberto Einstein Institute — Orthodox
Hebrew Academy — Orthodox
Maguen David Academy — Orthodox
Organizations
Consejo Central Comunitario Hebreo
Hadassah Panama
Noar Panama — Youth (400+ weekly)
Macabi — Sports