Please see below for frequently asked questions about the Women’s Philanthropy Mission to Panama. To return to the main Women’s Philanthropy Mission to Panama page, click here.
The trip is from March 1-5, 2026 (this includes travel).
Flight Information:
Each participant is responsible for making their own flight arrangements.
We recommend that you make your flight arrangements through Luis Sole with Frosch Travel at luis.sole@frosch.com.
Below are the recommended flights. Please know that they are optional, not required.
NEWARK, NJ TO PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
UNITED 1021
Departing: NEWARK, SUNDAY, MARCH 1 AT 2:42 P.M.
Arriving: PANAMA CITY, SUNDAY MARCH 1 AT 8:02 P.M. [5HR 20 MIN]
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA TO NEWARK, NJ
UNITED 727
Departing: PANAMA CITY, THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 10 A.M.
Arriving: NEWARK, THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 3:17 P.M. [5HR 17 MIN]
For our participants joining the group from South Florida, we recommend the following flights:
MIAMI, FL TO PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
AMERICAN 335
Departing: MIAMI, SUNDAY, MARCH 1 AT 12:05 P.M.
Arriving: PANAMA CITY, SUNDAY MARCH 1 AT 3:00 P.M. [2HR 55 MIN]
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA TO MIAMI, FL
AMERICAN 2964
Departing: PANAMA CITY, THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 2:30 P.M.
Arriving: MIAMI, THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 5:55 P.M. [3HR 25 MIN]
No, you do not need a visa to travel directly to Panama.
Please be aware that if you are flying to Panama through other countries, there may be visa requirements. This includes connecting flights where you do not leave the airport.
This list covers the major ETA systems in effect as of 2025:
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- The European Union (ETIAS)
- Israel
- Kenya
- South Korea
- Russia
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka
* If you are on a connecting flight, always confirm the location you are flying through does or does not require ETA authorization.
Cost (land only):
- $3,999 – Double Occupancy
- $650 – Single Supplement
* This does not include a 3% credit card processing fee
This includes*:
- 5-star hotel accommodation at the JW Marriott Panama
- All meals
- All entrance and processing fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Full-time security detail
- Luxury, air-conditioned coach bus (includes refreshments, water, and bathroom)
*cost does not include airfare
*Mission participants are asked to make a minimum contribution of $1,800 to the 2026 Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.
The mission cost is $3,999 for double occupancy and an additional $650 for single occupancy.
There is a 3% service fee for paying with a credit card which will be added to the total amount charged to the credit card.
Participants who would like to pay by check can mail their checks to Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia office, using the address exactly as it appears below. Please allow up to ten (10) business days for check delivery and payment processing. Please do not make payments by check within thirty (30) days of any final payment due date.
Not using the exact address may result in your check being lost.
A $50 service fee will apply for any checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
Memo: Missions Department – Women’s Philanthropy Mission to Panama
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
C/O Missions Department
2 Commerce Square
2001 Market St – 23rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Payment Policy
- Half of the deposit, including a $500 non-refundable payment, is to be paid upon the participant’s registration for the Mission. Payment of this deposit will be required to secure an individual’s place and participation in the Mission.
- A payment of the remaining balance for the Mission’s programming fee is due by Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. You will need to fill out a separate form that will be emailed to you to pay the remaining balance.
- Mission participants are strongly encouraged to purchase, at their expense, the level of travel insurance they feel comfortable buying.
Refund Policy
- On or before Monday, Dec. 1, 2025: receive full reimbursement with the exception of the $500 non-refundable deposit made during registration.
- Between Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 and Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026: receive a 50% refund with the exception of the $500 non-refundable deposit made during registration.
- On or after Friday, Jan. 30, 2026: No refunds
- Cancellations must be submitted in writing by emailing Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org and Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org
Please know that your remaining balance is due by Monday, Dec. 1.
For credit card payments, you can pay your remaining balance by clicking here.
For check payments, please mail your check to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia office, using the address exactly as it appears below. Please allow up to ten (10) business days for check delivery and payment processing. Please do not make payments by check within thirty (30) days of any final payment due date.
Not using the exact address may result in your check being lost. A $50 service fee will apply for any checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
Memo: Missions Department – Women’s Philanthropy Mission to Panama
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
C/O Missions Department
2 Commerce Square
2001 Market St – 23rd Floor
Mission participants are asked to make a minimum contribution of $1,800 to the 2026 Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Trip insurance is not required, but we strongly encourage mission participants to purchase the level of travel insurance and insurance for airfare that they feel will comfortably provide them with peace of mind when traveling.
Please consider purchasing coverage in the event that the mission is canceled for unforeseen reasons. The Jewish Federation would only cancel the mission in the event of extraordinary circumstances.
Here are some trip insurance companies that we are aware of:
Redpoint Travel Protection: www.redpointtravelprotection.com
Allianz Travel Insurance: www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Travelex Insurance: www.travelexinsurance.com
Arch RoamRight: www.roamright.com
Covac Global: www.covacglobal.com
SquareMouth: www.squaremouth.com
You can register for the mission by clicking here. Sign up by Monday, Dec. 1.
You will receive an email from Doreen Bason (dbason@jewishphilly.org) with a Virtru link, which we require you to use to protect your sensitive and confidential personally identifiable information (PII). The Virtru link will take you to a secure portal for you to provide the following required sensitive information for this mission:
- date of birth
- passport number
- passport issue date
- passport expiration date
- passport photo
You can also provide your global entry or trusted traveler number, if you have one.
Once you open the Virtru link, you will validate your email address. Please ensure that any sensitive information you input and upload are in the “encrypted message” and “files” section that is located beneath the text that says “all text and files below this line will be encrypted.”
There is an unencrypted section, located at the top of the form, where you can add a message to Doreen Bason, explaining that your mission documents are included in the secure section.
We ask that you do not customize any of the security settings. Once you have included all of the necessary information, click “share” to send the information to Doreen Bason. If you have any questions, please contact Doreen Bason at dbason@jewishphilly.org.
To see the Jewish Federation’s privacy policy, click here.
If registering for a double occupancy, please add the name of the person you want to room with when prompted during registration. If this is not done or the person listed does not register in time, we are unable to guarantee double occupancy. If you do not list a roommate during registration or that person does not register for the mission, you may be charged the single occupancy rate.
This mission will include 5-star hotel accommodation at the JW Marriott Panama.
Yes, all meals are included.
March in Panama is typically hot, humid and sunny, marking the end of the dry season and one of the best times to visit. Daytime temperatures average between 88–95°F, with cooler evenings around 65–75°F. Rainfall is minimal, with just a few rainy days throughout the month, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor adventures. Humidity levels are high — often between 65–78% — and the UV index is extreme, so sun protection is a must. You can expect around 12 hours of daylight and warm sea temperatures around 80°F, perfect for beach and water activities. In the highlands, like Boquete or El Valle, temperatures are more temperate and comfortable, ranging from 68–79°F. Overall, March offers a warm, dry and vibrant climate for exploring Panama’s rich culture and natural beauty.
For travel logistics, contact Missions Manager Erica N. Miller at erica.miller@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0629.
For information about Women’s Philanthropy, please contact Lannie Hulnick, Women’s Philanthropy Director, at lhulnick@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0502.