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***We are leaders in Panama City for tours to San Blas Islands*** You can book with us 2 Days/1 Night from $ 110 ($20 extra night) and much more. El Machico Hostel is a young and dynamic Hostel, situated in a big house in Marbella zone, among the more exclusive zones of Panama City, located near the pharmacy, restaurants, supermarkets, ATMs and shopping centers. El Machico Hostel boasts an ample swimming pool with open air cinema by night, pool table, and a small bar. Besides the dormitory, we also have available a marvelous private room with a private bathroom, all rooms with Air Conditioning. All beds are equipped with power outlets. El Machico Hostel offers free breakfast to all customers. Our well informed staff is always at your complete disposition for any information about the city and various excursions. *The Cleanliness Of The Guest Rooms And Other Areas Of The Hostel Is Extremely Important To Us. We Guarantee To Provide A Very Clean And Sanitary Environment.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
The common areas were clean. The price is reasonable for what you get. A good location to access different parts of Panama City. Plenty of restaurants and stores closeby. I think the number of bathrooms is not enough for the number of beds they have, but I traveled during COVID, when they had low number of guests; therefore, I did not have any problems using the bathroom. Recommendation: hand wash/soap should be available in all toilet rooms. The staff was always friendly and available; they were always smiling and willing to answer any questions I had. Beds are comfortable. The rooms are air-conditioned. I would stay here again.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful staff, breakfast included. Pool is great. Place feels safe and offers a quiet but interesting place to stay in the city. This was the first Hostel I stayed in panama, was a great place to start. Worth the money and positioned in a great location in the city.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The best hostel I've have ever been at in central america. Everything is clean, the beds comfortable and good breakfast.Alex helped me a lot planning my trip to Guatemala which was very nice, he knows alot by the way. Thank you so much Machico! I will be back one day.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hostel provides very nice rooms which are clean and spacious. Also the bathrooms were clean. When we arrived the guy at the reception was very unfriendly, we never experienced something like this. He did not explain everything and when we had questions he was not very motivated to help us out. The staff is one of the most important things in a hostel, that‘s why we were disappointed.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
El Machico is a great hostel that seems to have everything, they have a pool, a PS4, a TV, complementary breakfast and great social areas as well as hot showers. The staff are very friendly and the beds are comfy. The communal areas are nice to relax in also. It is a very laid back hostel and is great for ultimate relaxation after the bustling city. The breakfast is of a buffet style and is all you can eat pancakes with syrup, fruit, chocolate sauce and coffee. All in all I cannot fault this place.
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Date of stay: January 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ElMachicoHostelPTY, Direttore at El Machico Hostel
Responded 14 Aug 2019
Hi WilliamThomas, WOW, WOW... thank you so much for the detailed review, after reading your comments i felt like i had experience your stay. Very detailed and to super helpful for the next reader to clearly see what you experience with us. This was a FANTASTIC review, thank you again for taking the time to put your thoughts and comments. Cheers, El Machico Staff ;-)
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I am a solo traveller, I arrived in panama city late in the evening and I was looking for a place to stay to start my central american adventure el machico is a exelent place to meet new people. Lots of backpackers from around the world make the atmosphere really good, the pool is fantastic, the place is very clean, the price is decent and the beer is cold and cheap. This you can find ar some other places. But the best about it is the quality staff. Everybody is extremely friendly and they all speak multiple languages. If you are a backpacker arriving in panama city, dont bother going anywhere else. I am a experienced traveller from canada and I rarely see that quality of place and service... El machico you rock!
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Date of stay: October 2015
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was honestly the worst night I have spent in a hostel in the 4 months I have been in central America. This was mostly not due to the hostel itself, but rather inconsiderate American tourists who clearly hadn't heard of hostel etiquette. The hostel itself seemed okay, the rooms had aircon which was almost essential in Panama city, it did get pretty cold though so I would ask for a blanket. The bathroom was pretty filthy when I arrived and the wifi wouldn't work. The lockers were outside of the rooms which is always a pain and were a new design which meant they wouldn't lock with my lock (which is a flexible one - you needed an old school rigid padlock). I hostels after one night to the surf hostel down the road which had a much friendlier and social vibe. The area is pretty central, however If you can, stay in the old town area. It is much nicer.
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Date of stay: December 2014
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ElMachicoHostelPTY, Propietario at El Machico Hostel
Responded 10 Jan 2015
Dear DonnaBerry, First of all, the dearest client DonnaBerry who slept one night here and left without paying Second of all, how can you say that it´s not a friendly hostel when you arrived at 1am until 8am? Third, if you want to sleep without noise, book in a private room at a hotel (Hilton), not a hostel. The lockers are the standard model, we can´t adapt to everyone´s type of lock. No hard feelings.. The Management
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Let me tell you I had a wonderful 5 days at the hostel. So much to offer like activities, friendly helpful honest staff, pancake breakfast, travel supplies, swimming pool, bike rental, snacks and drinks. Location was great close to the sea and wonderful bars and restaurants. I recommend this hostel for any traveller coming to Panama City. Only improvement I thought the hostel needs is better blankets for the beds. Other then that such a great stay
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Date of stay: September 2019
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is awesome. Ive spent a few days there and i couldnt complain about anything. it's super clean, good vibe, good location and the best thing about it, the staff.
The manager, Roger is probably the kindest person ive ever met. He provided the best service we could have ever imagened and looked after us so well. He helped us with everything and was always in a really good mode. He made us feel like we were at home. this was probably one of the first times ever where the staff actually cared about their guest like if they were friends. he was so nice we sometimes couldnt belive it!!!! what ever we needed or asked he had a solution or an answer!! We had a really good time and we would recommend this place to everyone.
Also i would like to mention during all our stay, nothing was ever dirty. The cleaning staff ist doing an excellent job and it almost feels like you are in a hotel.
Its also close to the shops and easy to get around. the provide free brekkie and hot showers too.
loved it all. thanks to the Roger!
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Date of stay: October 2017
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ElMachicoHostelPTY, Manager at El Machico Hostel
Responded 14 Nov 2017
Hi Yasmine W, WOW, WOW... thank you so much for the detailed review, after reading your comments i felt like i had experience your stay. Very detailed and to super helpful for the next reader to clearly see what you experience with us. We will share your generous words with our team who I am certain will be encouraged by your remarks. This was a FANTASTIC review, thank you again for taking the time to put your thoughts and comments. Cheers, Roger (Manager)
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There are so many 5 star reviews here that you expect an almost miraculous hostel - not the case - not that you shouldn't go.
So location is nearer the banks, far from the Casco Viejo area, but this means the area is actually nice and safe at night - however as Panama City is so spread out, you really can't have a 10 for location, all have their sides. Bigger supermarket is a bit far, plenty smaller ones are around and a big shopping mall with cinema near too. Most sights are far, but the beach boulevard is near.
The hostel was in good condition and was clean. The kitchen is big and well equipped and the pool was kept clean. Showers are hot and toilets have paper and soap and no need to que. Beds are nice and dormroom size average with no/minimal accessories. WiFi was strong everywhere. Basic breakfast, ok value.
On the negative side I found there to be too many guests for the common areas they have - all the common areas are also linked - the eating area, the sofas, the pool, the smoke and music area and the 2 hammocks (a bit further away). The combination of too many guests and linked common areas made it loud (day and night) and there wasn't anywhere to chill or watch tv or socialise relaxedly for example - however this can be appealing if you intend partying.
As in some earlier reviews, I also found the hostel staff to be mainly indifferent - I suspect this was also due to too many guests.
All in all, it's a good hostel for the party-oriented, but not for a peaceful stay.
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Date of stay: December 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ElMachicoHostelPTY, Propietario at El Machico Hostel
Responded 15 Jan 2017
Dear GlobetrotterCritic, Thanks for your review, is very important for us the feedback from our guests. If you were here during Christmas or new years eve, for sure that dates we had a lot of people sharing good times with us. We hope you can come back and see the real Machico, we are far from a party hostel but we are happy and we love to have young travellers on theirs journeys. Kind regards Machico Staff
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Hi,
we can arrange transport to Gamboa , the excursion offered by the park at night is this:
NIGHT SAFARI BOAT
If you have ever asked yourself what goes on in the jungle when you sleep then this tour is for you. Ideal for lovers of nighttime adventure and mystery, this safari takes you in search of the plant and animal life on the Chagres River. Possible sightings include caiman, Fishing bats, capybara, and two-toed sloth.
Duration: 1 hour
Recommendations: comfortable clothing, repellent and flashlight
Departure times: 7:00 p.m. (under reservation)
Price: $25.00 + Tax p/p
or
Night Bus to Explore the Rainforest
Thank you
Hola estimado Mauricio,
Gracias por contactarnos, tenemos espacio aun en nuestra habitacion privada en la fecha que solicita. si desea reservar puede hacerlo en nuestra pagina web.
el costo de la noche son 50$
Saludos
Gabriel
Hola Diana
Del 1ero de Diciembre al 7 de Diciembre hay disponibilidad para 2 personas.
Por favor reservar desde el sitio web del machico hostal.
El costo por persona son 15$ el día, incluye desayuno, wifi, A/C, Cocina. La piscina no estará disponible hasta el 12 de Dic por reparación.
Saludos Cordiales.
Danny.
There are more places to choose from in the Panama City area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$132 - HK$389 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PanamaPanama ProvincePanama City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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