Panama City is understood because the shipping and financial hub of Central America — but there’s far more thereto than that.

Panama City may be a bustling, lively city with a vibrant nightlife, plenty of history, and delicious food. It’s an honest hub to base yourself certain a couple of days while you propose your next steps.

Since it’s not as cheap as other cities within the region, you’ll want to save lots of money by booking yourself a hostel while you’re here. They’re the foremost cost-effective (and fun) thanks to enjoy the town .

However, there are tons of things to think about when selecting a hostel. the highest four in Panama City are:

Location – Panama City is large , and it can take a while to urge around. Pick an area that's central to the sites you would like to ascertain and nightlife you would like to enjoy. (All the hostels listed here are in central locations.)

Price – In Panama City, you actually get what you buy , so if you accompany a very cheap place, you’re likely to urge a hostel that's small and cramped and doesn’t offer great service.

Amenities – Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you would like quite that, make certain to try to to your research to seek out the one that best meets your needs!

Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff who are super friendly and knowledgeable. albeit you don’t find yourself staying at one among the places listed below, make certain to seem up reviews to make sure that you simply find yourself somewhere where the staff is useful and friendly. they will make or break a hostel!

To help you propose your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Panama City that i prefer the foremost . If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the subsequent hostels are the simplest in each category:

Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Hostal Casa Areka

Best Hostel for Families: Magnolia Inn Casa Viejo

Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: El Machio

Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Selina Casco Viejo

Best Hostel for Partying: Hostal Casa Areka

Best Overall Hostel: Luna’s Castle Hostel

Want more specifics for every hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the simplest hostels in Panama City:

Price Legend (per night)

$ = Under $15 USD

$ = $15-20 USD

$$ = Over $20 USD


1. Magnolia Inn Casco Viejo




The posh interior of the Magnolia Inn Casa Viejo hostel in Panama City

This boutique hostel is found in Casco Viejo, the city’s beautiful Old Town. It’s clean and quiet, making it an honest choice for families or travelers trying to find some downtime. The hostel is an Old French colonial mansion and balances historic charm with modern amenities (like AC, Wi-Fi, and hot showers). The beds are basic and don’t have curtains, but the mattresses are thick and cozy . There also are a couple of common areas where you'll relax and hang around or watch TV. Since it’s quiet, I’d suggest staying here if you would like to urge an honest night’s sleep. There are several social hostels nearby where you'll grab a drink and hang around , so you'll enjoy being social before returning to your quiet hostel.

Magnolia Inn Casco Viejo at a glance:

$$

Central location within the Old Town

Clean and quiet

Beautiful interior

Beds from $16 USD an evening , rooms from $116 USD.


2. Hostal Casa Areka



The outdoor swimming bath and hang around area at Hostal Casa Areka in Panama City

This energetic hostel features a pool, outdoor Wi-Fi, space to barbecue, and a spacious kitchen for cooking your own meals. It’s also surrounded by bars and restaurants, making it an honest choice for those that want to party. There are many common areas to relax in. The beds are pretty basic (no curtains for privacy) but are comfortable enough. The dorms also only have eight beds (or fewer), so you’re never crammed in with people , and there are female-only dorms too. just some of the showers have predicament , however, but it's the most cost effective hostel in town.

Hostal Casa Areka at a glance:

$

Swimming pool

Super affordable

Free breakfast

Beds from $9 USD an evening , rooms from $35 USD.


3. El Machio




The colorful dorm rooms of El Machio Hostel in Panama City

This is a social hostel where it’s very easy to satisfy people, since they need a pool and alittle bar, play movies outside, and organize plenty of tours (including affordable trips to the San Blas Islands). The beds aren’t the simplest , but the dorms have lockers to stay your items safe and there’s predicament within the showers. They even have female-only dorms. Breakfast is included, there’s a spacious kitchen for cooking, and therefore the surrounding neighborhood is sort of safe too.

El Machio at a glance:

$

Social atmosphere makes it easy to satisfy people

Free brekafast

Female-only dorms for added privacy and security

Beds from $13 USD an evening , rooms from $50 USD.


4. Luna’s Castle Hostel



The cool interior design of Luna's Castle Hostel in Panama City

This is my favorite hostel in Panama City. Housed in an old colonial mansion overlooking the ocean, it’s a cool backpacker hostel with a laid-back vibe. Free breakfast is included, there’s a bar on-site for having fun, the showers have predicament , and therefore the staff go above and beyond: they organize walking tours and other fun activities to make sure that you simply have a tremendous visit and meet cool people during your stay. There are only large dorms (10 or 12 beds), but the beds have curtains and therefore the mattresses are comfy. It’s lively, social, and an establishment on the Gringo Trail through Central America.

Luna’s Castle Hostel at a glance:

$$

Free breakfast

Easy to satisfy people

Beautiful location by the ocean

Beds from $16 USD an evening .


5. Zebulo Hostel



The spacious and empty dorm rooms of Zebulo Hostel in Panama City

Zebulo has many free perks, including free breakfast, free coffee and tea, and a jacuzzi on-site. While the dorm beds are basic (squeaky metal bunks with no curtains), they’re comfortable enough and not crowded (capped at nine beds). It also has the most cost effective private rooms within the city; however, there’s no predicament . The staff also organize plenty of tours, like trips to Colombia and therefore the San Blas Islands. They also host many weekly events (like BBQ nights). It’s a laid-back hostel that creates it easy to satisfy people and luxuriate in all the town has got to offer.

Zebulo Hostel at a glance:

$

Affordable private rooms

Lots of free perks

Tons of tours and activities

Beds from $10 USD an evening , rooms from $22 USD.


6. Selina Casco Viejo



A classy and spacious dormitory in Selina Casco Viejo hostel in Panama City

Located within the picturesque Old Town (in yet one more historic colonial building), Selina is new hostel. It’s a classy , upscale spot that’s fashionable solo travelers and digital nomads. There’s a spacious outdoor patio for hanging out and much of bars nearby. The beds are comfy, and therefore the showers have predicament (which may be a nice perk, since many cheaper hostels within the city don’t have hot water). There’s AC to stay you cool, a co-working space, a billiard table , and much of common areas for chilling out.

Selina Casco Viejo at a glance:

$

Lots of common areas to hangout in

Social atmosphere

Central location within the Old Town

Beds from $14 USD an evening , $36 USD.