Provisioning in Panama

[northwestsailor]

I am curious if anyone knows if any of the markets in Panama (besides the health food store) has organic food - fresh or packaged, raisins, nuts, etc? Thanks so much!

[Pete the Cat]

Which end of the Canal are you on? Or are you on the Canal?

[northwestsailor]

We are moored at BYC on the Pacific side. Went through the canal last month and need to provision now for the long slog back to Seattle about 5000 miles, hopefully non stop.

[s/v Jedi]

Organic? Is that anything non-chemical?

Anyways, our favorite shopping trip to panama city starts with the Riba Smith supermarket, followed by lunch at the Paladar, a trip to the Superkosher, next Philippe Motta for the liquids and last but not least the Pricesmart (membership shopping) even if just for their fresh pizza to take away.

In fact, we're gonna do that tomorrow!

ciao!
Nick.

[Pete the Cat]

I would agree with S/V Jedi. I think you can find just about anything in the major supermarkets, even Reyes, if you look. You could also get your taxi driver to take you to one of the farmers' markets outside of town. Not sure that is going to assure you of chemical free, healthful foods, however. Be sure to stop at the Las Perlas islands for some time--most folks just rocket past these and they are a gem.

[northwestsailor]

Thank you for all your good advice on shopping in PC. We just were in touch with the embassy in Washington DC. The young lady there answered most of our questions but got stumped with one and said she we email her mom who shops there everyday. That is going the extra mile!
We should stop in Las Perlas someday but this is a delivery passage so we are jamming to make a schedule this trip. Later when really cruising we will take our time and take in the sites.
Thanks again everyone.

[JGomes]

This is off topic but I was wondering if you could update me on the current procedures and cost for passing through the PC

[zeehag]

jgomjes--there is a thread on that , and a pc site with info .

[JGomes]

Originally Posted by zeehag

jgomjes--there is a thread on that , and a pc site with info .

I checked out your links I didn't see anything on the costs and procedures for using the panama canal.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by JGomes

I checked out your links I didn't see anything on the costs and procedures for using the panama canal.

Let me google that for you

cheers,
Nick.

[northwestsailor]

Standard Canal Fees has a list of the fees.
We used Erick Galvez as our agent and were very pleased with him - he went to bat for us several times and when we had a 3 week delay due to Carnival, he got us through 2 weeks early . (info@centenarioconsulting.com or 507-6676-1376 (the extra number means it's a cell phone). Take lots of photos, food/drinks for snacks to keep your line handlers energized, and have fun! It's a very memorable experience! Oh, if you can request an "Advisor" someone assigned to guide you and your boat through the procedures of transiting the canal, ask for Carlos Benevidas - he's the best! Enjoy!