Name: El Machico Hostel
Address: Casa 2 Avenida 5A B Sur,Avenida 5A B Sur, Panama, Panama, Panama, 0401, Panama
Rating: 9

Air conditioning

24-hour reception

Smoking areas

Currency exchange

Smoke-free property

Heating

Private check-in/check-out

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Locker

Rooms

Laundry

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Common kitchen

Snack bar

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer

Spanish

English

Italian

Languages Spoken

Tour assistance

Tourist services

Library

Billiards

Sun Deck

Recreation

Offsite parking reservations required

Parking

Swimming pool

Outdoor pool

Pool and beach

Fax and copy machine

Business

Cycling

Sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hostel

Panama Pacifico Airport

Tocumen International Airport

Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport

Enrique Adolfo Jimenez Airport

El Machico Hostel

Panama

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

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23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

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29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

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38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

We booked a stay here specifically because they offer bike rentals - but contrary to their website, their booking.com listing, and their photos - all of which advertise bikes - they actually no longer offer them. Bummer, but maybe it was just an honest mistake, right? Maybe they simply forgot to update their listings? No, that doesn't seem to be the case: they seem to be intentionally deceptive & dishonest.

Immediately after booking our room, I sent them a message just to ask what *hours* the bike rentals are available. As we're planning our whole day around them, we wanted to know if we'd be able to rent them after an early-morning arrival, or if we'd need to wait some hours until the rental desk opens. They responded "we can discuss when you arrive." I pressed a second time, reiterating that we'd really like to know whether or not our intended schedule would work. It was only after this repeated inquiry that they admitted "we don't rent bikes anymore."

So in other words, they deliberately tried to withhold that info despite my making it clear that it was an essential part of our plans. They wanted us to just show up, & discover only once we're there that they no longer have bikes. Why on earth would they not have just been forthcoming the first time I asked? Presumably, because when I followed up a 3rd time to ask where else we could rent, the option offered was halfway across the city, which would've completely changed the day we had planned.

I should also mention that they do still, currently list bike rentals on their website (blue flyer posted on their "Other Tours" page), on their booking.com listing, and in the photos they've posted here on Tripadvisor. I pointed this out to them over a week ago, but they have still not corrected the misinformation, which makes it pretty clear that it wasn't just accidentally overlooked.

Even if you don't care about bikes, I would advise avoiding this place. Sure, services change. But any reputable business would've been forthcoming the first time I asked, and would've rectified the issue upon being notified. Would you really feel comfortable staying somewhere that clearly wants to deceive its guests?

No bike rentals, & a little dishonest/deceptive

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.

A great first hostel

The hostel is close to food  eateries and the financial district, ATM and staff were  friendly, pancake breakfast was good , rooms and hostel were clean, only one bathroom per room which could be a challenge if full 

Good visit 

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.

A Good Stay

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.

The best hostel in Panama City

I had an amazing time at this hostile.. The staff is very friendly especially the front desk clerk Roger such an amazing person!! and friend!! showed us where to go we’re all the good spots are as well with Many awesome options to choose to eat from and even Took us salsa dancing! As well taking us to totally Rad concert! Dude what more can you ask for! SO #1The pool is always clean The staff is very cleanly and clean and friendly and is all ways  willing to help  #2Made beds every day Kitchen is very clean. #3Plenty of bathrooms that are in very good condition pool  showers work with hot water as well as bath room showers. #4 fun and exciting bike Tour rides of Panama City.  And the tour guide is Such an amazing beautiful person as well! such a fun time! #5 They also offer an island tour that you can book with them While you are at the hostel!! And will bring you back to Panama or take you to Cartagena Columbia. #6However 🙌🏼🚩🚨 DO NOT BOOK WITH BLUE SAILING! OR GIT ON A BOAT CALLED THE SOVEREIGN GRACE THAT IS A VERY VERY BAD BOAT TO BE ON!🚩🚨But how ever this is a Amazing hostel to be at. It’s in great condition and It has air conditioning all so in a great location in the city it has Marble tile floors and Great restaurants right nearby which is only 40 seconds away ! so if you’re passing by or looking on line it’s got a awesome chill vibe or if you are simply looking for a good Place to call home sweet home for a little while this is definitely the place!!!

Simply Amazing👍🏼👍🏼🤘🏽🕺🏼💃🏼

My stay at El Machico was a very Enjoyable one! A very good included Breakfast, Pool  and a very helpful reception desk for booking day trips/tours to San Blas etc. Could not recommend them more highly!

An Excellent Hostel

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. 

Unfriendly reception / Nice Rooms

I had high hopes for Machico. The staff was indifferent/not the most helpful - you’d have to ask three times to get a taxi or shuttle. They do offer San Blas trips and a bike tour daily - did both and enjoyed them. Several of the tours advertised on their website are not offered regularly. You could ask about a trip and they say ask the guy tomorrow, then that guy says ask the guy tomorrow. They’ll say you need to find a minimum of 2 and then it goes up to minimum of 4 people. Cost of $80 then it goes up to $140. Don’t use this hostel as a home base to explore the country - because they won’t help you other than their own San Blas and bike tours. They do provide pancakes and banana for breakfast and have a large kitchen. There’s a large common area downstairs with pool, couches, table, books, drinks and snacks for purchase. The dorm rooms are not locked - and if you stay in a dorm with an en-suite bathroom the. people will come in through out the day and night to use the bathroom if someone was in the hallway bathrooms. There are lockers that’ll fit a small backpack/carryon. The location is in a downtown area with lots of restaurants and shops - far from Casco Viejo and other attractions. It felt safe - but just an odd spot. Based on the unhelpful staff, limited tour options and location - I would not recommend staying here.

Limited customer service, far from "attractions," but clean hostel

With a great location and nice staff you can’t get much better hostel for $12. Including breakfast (pancakes and coffee/tea). And a pool 😎 Nothing  to complain about. But if you are over 185 cm you might find the beds too short.

El Machico Hostel

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