# Eruv, mikvah and minyan in Panama City: the basics for visitors

URL: https://panamaunpacked.com/guides/eruv-mikvah-minyan-panama-city
Last reviewed: 6 November 2026

Panama City has a community eruv over Punta Pacífica, Punta Paitilla and parts of Marbella, Bella Vista, Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera, which the community checks weekly, we’re told; no status notice is published, so confirm the eruv status each Friday at your shul or with Chabad. For women, Mikveh Rachel at Beth El is by appointment; for men, Mikveh Rami at Chabad is open all day and free. Chabad of Panama City keeps a guaranteed minyan year-round, and every Orthodox shul admits visitors only after a security registration approved in advance.

- **Eruv covers:** Punta Pacífica, Punta Paitilla, parts of Marbella, Bella Vista, Av. Balboa, Cinta Costera
- **Eruv status:** Checked weekly by the community (as reported, Nov 2026); confirm each Friday
- **Women’s mikvah:** Mikveh Rachel (Beth El), by appointment
- **Men’s mikvah:** Mikveh Rami (Chabad), open all day, free
- **Guaranteed minyan:** Chabad of Panama City, year-round
- **Before any shul visit:** DSI registration, 72+ hours ahead

## What does the Panama City eruv cover?

The community’s map, titled “Eruv Panama” and published by Shevet Ahim, describes its area as La Cresta, Bella Vista, Marbella, Paitilla and Punta Pacífica, drawn as a single line around the neighborhoods.[1] Chabad of Panama City lists the covered areas as Punta Pacífica, Punta Paitilla and parts of Marbella, Bella Vista, Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera, and links the same map.[2]

Marbella and Bella Vista are only partly inside, and Shevet Ahim’s main synagogue sits near the western edge of the line. Open the map before Shabbat and check both your hotel and the route you’ll walk.

> **Is the eruv up this week?:** The local community looks after the eruv and checks it every week, we’re told (as reported, Nov 2026). It doesn’t publish a named supervisor, a hotline or a status notice, so confirm the eruv status each Friday at your shul or with Chabad. The Shevet Ahim office is on +507 225-5990 and Chabad’s WhatsApp is +507 6636-8515.

Outside Panama City: Chabad of Bocas del Toro says there is no eruv in Bocas, and we found no eruv information for Boquete.[3] More on our [eruv page](https://panamaunpacked.com/eruv-panama-city).

## Where are the mikvaot, and how do I book?

*Mikvaot in Panama*

| Mikvah | Where | For | How to use it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mikveh Rachel | Beth El, Punta Paitilla | Women | By appointment, evenings 7:00 to 9:30 PM; book through Beth El’s site or by phone |
| Mikveh Rami | Chabad, Punta Paitilla | Men | Free, no booking, open all day; get the door code from Chabad[4] |
| Mikveh Shevet Ahim | Bella Vista | Not published | No hours published; call the Shevet Ahim office |
| Mikveh Taharat Aleb | Bet Max ve Sarah, Punta Pacífica | Not published | No hours published; call ahead |
| Chabad Boquete | Bajo Boquete | Women | Reserve at least 24 hours ahead; suggested donation $30 (standard) or $100 (supporter) |
| Chabad Bocas del Toro | Bocas Town | Women (temporary) | Contact the Rebbetzin in advance |

According to Chabad, Mikveh Rachel is under Orthodox rabbinic supervision and acceptable for Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Chabad practice.[5] Two different phone numbers are published for it, so book through Beth El’s own site where you can.[6] Our [mikvaot page](https://panamaunpacked.com/mikvah-panama) lists each mikvah’s published contacts.

## Where can I find a minyan?

[Chabad of Panama City](https://panamaunpacked.com/synagogues-panama/chabad-panama-city) in Paitilla has the most reliable published schedule, with a guaranteed minyan year-round:[7]

- Weekdays: Shacharit 7:30 and 8:40 AM, Mincha 5:55 PM, Arvit 6:45 PM.
- Sundays and national holidays: Shacharit 8:50 AM.
- Shabbat: Friday Mincha 6:00 PM and Kabbalat Shabbat 6:45 PM; Shacharit 10:00 AM; Mincha 5:45 PM.

Chabad’s Shabbat page gives slightly different times for Friday and for Shabbat Mincha, and Mincha moves with sunset, so confirm the week you’re there.

**Ahavat Sion and Ateret Yosef**, the Shevet Ahim complex on Calle Juan XXIII in Punta Paitilla, has many minyanim through the day. Shevet Ahim’s own schedule page is for members only. The community gave our team its November 2026 times, and they are on our [Ahavat Sion page](https://panamaunpacked.com/synagogues-panama/ahavat-sion): weekday Shacharit every half hour from 6:30 to 9:00 AM, Mincha at 5:40 PM, and Arvit at 6:00, 7:15 and 10:00 PM. Mincha and Arvit move with sunset through the year, so confirm locally.

[Shevet Ahim’s main synagogue](https://panamaunpacked.com/synagogues-panama/shevet-ahim-bella-vista) in Bella Vista has weekday Shacharit at 6:30 and 7:30 AM, with Mincha and Arvit at the same times as Paitilla (November 2026, from the community). [Beth El](https://panamaunpacked.com/synagogues-panama/beth-el) doesn’t publish its times; ask its office (+507 392-0618). **Kol Shearith Israel**, the Reform congregation in Costa del Este, holds Kabbalat Shabbat on Fridays at 6:30 PM, Shabbat morning services at 9:00 AM and a Thursday Shacharit at 7:00 AM.[8]

At the beach, Shevet Ahim says it also runs synagogues in Coronado and Santa Clara.[9] We couldn’t confirm their schedules, so write ahead before planning a Shabbat around them. In Boquete and Bocas del Toro, the Chabad houses hold Shabbat services. See [synagogues in Panama City](https://panamaunpacked.com/synagogues-panama) and [zmanim](https://panamaunpacked.com/zmanim-panama) for the times of day.

## Do I need permission to visit a shul?

Yes, for every synagogue and the Chabad house. The community’s security department, DSI, approves visitors in advance:[10]

1. Register and pay online at least 72 hours before you arrive,[10] using the official DSI form (linked from the Shevet Ahim, Beth El and Chabad sites). One form covers the parents and children who live together.[11]
2. Pay the fee: $20 for the person registering and $10 for each extra visitor aged 13 or older; under-13s are free.
3. Upload a passport scan for each person and a photo, and give your home synagogue and rabbi. A letter from your home community helps.
4. DSI emails you a QR code. Entry is authorized only after a security interview at a synagogue, unless DSI pre-approves you by email. Interviews run on weekdays from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and 5:30 to 7:00 PM, and during Shabbat services; in January, at Ahavat Sion from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
5. Bring the QR code and your original passport to the interview and to shul, including on Shabbat. Modest dress is expected.

Chabad says it can’t answer questions about DSI registration; write to info@dsipanama.org. Our [visitor registration](https://panamaunpacked.com/visitor-registration-panama-synagogues) page explains each step and links to DSI’s official form.

## In an emergency

- **Emergency (police, ambulance, fire):** [911](tel:911), Panama’s unified emergency line.[12]
- **Hatzalah Panamá**, the community’s volunteer emergency medical service: [294-5000](tel:+5072945000), or +507 294-5000 from a foreign phone.[13]
- **Community security (DSI):** [+507 203-1000](tel:+5072031000).

Hospitals and the other numbers to save are in our [safety and medical guide](https://panamaunpacked.com/guides/is-panama-safe-medical-basics).

## Questions

### Is there an eruv in Panama City?

Yes. The community eruv covers Punta Pacífica, Punta Paitilla and parts of Marbella, Bella Vista (including La Cresta), Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera. The community checks it weekly, we’re told, but posts no public status, so check the map before Shabbat and confirm the eruv status each Friday at your shul or with Chabad.

### How do I book the women’s mikvah in Panama City?

Mikveh Rachel at Beth El in Punta Paitilla is by appointment, in the evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 PM. Book through Beth El’s website or by phone well before your visit.

### Is there a men’s mikvah in Panama City?

Yes. Mikveh Rami at Chabad of Panama City in Paitilla is free, needs no booking and is open all day. Get the door code from Chabad by WhatsApp.

### Where can I daven with a minyan in Panama City on a weekday?

Chabad of Panama City in Paitilla has a guaranteed minyan year-round, with weekday Shacharit at 7:30 and 8:40 AM. The Ahavat Sion and Ateret Yosef complex nearby has several morning minyanim. Register with DSI first.

### Can visitors pray at Shevet Ahim?

Yes, after registering with the community security department (DSI) at least 72 hours before arrival. Shevet Ahim’s schedule page is for members only; the November 2026 times the community gave our team are on our synagogue pages, and the office is on +507 225-5990.

## Sources

1. Shevet Ahim, “Eruv Panama (community map)”: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1YhSd_hZcrlKRF1a2juiq1YqnlarHmqgK (accessed 5 November 2026)
2. Chabad of Panama City, “Frequently asked questions”: https://chabadpanama.com/faq/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
3. Chabad of Bocas del Toro, “Chabad of Bocas del Toro”: https://chabadbocas.org/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
4. Chabad of Panama City, “Mikveh Rami (men’s mikvah)”: https://chabadpanama.com/judaism/7600/ (accessed 6 November 2026)
5. Chabad of Panama City, “Mikvaot in Panama City”: https://chabadpanama.com/judaism/7542/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
6. Beth El, “Centro Comunitario Beth-El”: https://www.centrobethel.com/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
7. Chabad of Panama City, “Daily minyan schedule”: https://chabadpanama.com/event/7679/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
8. Kol Shearith Israel, “Calendar of activities”: https://www.kolshearith.org/calendario-de-actividades (accessed 5 November 2026)
9. Shevet Ahim, “Historia”: https://shevetahim.com/historia/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
10. Departamento de Seguridad Institucional (DSI), “Visitor registration: register at least 72 hours before arrival”: https://dsipanama.org/ (accessed 6 November 2026)
11. Departamento de Seguridad Institucional (DSI), “Visitor registration”: https://visit.dsipanama.org/register (accessed 5 November 2026)
12. Sistema Único de Manejo de Emergencias, “SUME 911”: https://sume911.pa/ (accessed 5 November 2026)
13. Departamento de Seguridad Institucional (DSI), “Números de interés”: https://dsipanama.org/interes (accessed 6 November 2026)