Mamallena Backpackers

Panama City · Panama

Mamallena Backpackers

HostelPunk Score
25% SHIT
Medium confidence 125 reviews
No bed bug reports in 138 analyzed reviews
No incentivized-review patterns detected in 138 analyzed reviews

Tags

Facilities

🏊 Swimming Pool 🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry 🔥 BBQ 🌅 Outdoor Terrace 🌿 Garden 🍺 Bar
Other facilities (25)
Bicycle Parking Airport Transfers Luggage Storage 24 Hour Reception Tours/Travel Desk Internet Access Book Exchange Board Games Cable TV Wi-Fi Linen Included Air Conditioning Towels Not Included Tea & Coffee Making Facilities Security Lockers 24 Hour Security Fire Extinguishers Smoke Alarms Smoke Detector Common Room Games Room Social Balcony Free WiFi Free Internet Access Free Luggage Storage

Prices

Dorms $9 / night
Privates $22 / night

HW prices from today

Unusual phrases

Worst reviews

Canada FEMALE 31-40 Apr 16, 2026 2.0/10

I was in this hostel for 10 minutes before I chose to stay elsewhere

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USA FEMALE 25-30 Feb 14, 2026 2.0/10

The hostel itself is always dark and smells like piss. There are dogs running around who haven’t bed fed or washed properly and are probably carrying fleas.The dogs pissed on our bags and staff did nothing about and actually laughed in our face when we asked for compensation. I walked in the bathroom and there was poop in the toilet and pee around the seat and floor. Only cold water in shower. No curtains around the bed so don’t expect any privacy. Other guests weren’t friendly as they wer...

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USA FEMALE 25-30 Feb 13, 2026 2.0/10

They let their dogs pee on our bags and they didn’t clean it up til it was dry. Lady at the front desk is negligent and doesnt pay attention to anything. There was dog poop sitting in yhe hallway for hours. They’re not clean and do not care for guests.

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Brazil FEMALE Dec 23, 2025 2.0/10

The hostel is very dirty. We stayed in a private room which smelled like mold. It was only one night. the pool area also was dirty and not well kept

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Germany MALE 25-30 Dec 2, 2025 2.0/10

I wouldn't ever go back there if I had to choose.

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Brazil MALE 31-40 Apr 27, 2025 2.0/10

I do not recommend this hostel, unfortunately the people at reception are very rude and impolite, the hostel is poorly organized, the administrator is not able to receive and serve guests, he has no manners at all

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Austria FEMALE 18-24 Jul 4, 2022 2.0/10

Leider wurden wir sehr enttäuscht. Wir haben ein 4er Schlafsaal gebucht, haben jedoch ein Durchgangszimmer bekommen. Sehr mühsam, da jeder durchgelaufen ist. Wir haben dort Wäsche gewaschen und die komplette weiße Wäsche hat nun Flecken die nicht mehr raus gehen. Leider ist daher unser Aufenthalt etwas schlecht in Erinnerung geblieben. Dennoch ist die “common area” sehr schön.

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Germany FEMALE 18-24 Apr 2, 2026 4.0/10

Many old people in a unsafe area. The dogs are barking all the time at you

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England MALE 25-30 Jan 6, 2026 4.0/10

Average hostel, just used it as a layover before doing san blas islands to Colombia, nothing to shout about really but staff were helpful

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England FEMALE 25-30 May 26, 2025 4.0/10

Unsafe location, no vibe Was recommended to stay here before San Blas trip but when shuttle came it then picked up from lots of different hostels so there was actually no need to stay in Mamallena

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Recent reviews

France ALLMALEGROUP 25-30 Apr 25, 2026 Atm 60%

pour une nuit ça va. ya beaucoup d'animaux domestiques chiens chats . odeurs un peu sale mais en gros ça passe pour un hostel de Panama

Translated to English

for one night it's fine. there are a lot of pets dogs cats . smells a little nasty but basically it passes for a hostel in Panama

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England ALLFEMALEGROUP 18-24 Apr 23, 2026 Atm 60%

This was very good for budget travellers. Me and my pal did seem to be the only girls surrounded by a lot of older men!! But it was great to have the room to our selves and the hostel offers loads of transport and recommendations of things to do.

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Canada FEMALE 31-40 Apr 16, 2026 Atm 20%

I was in this hostel for 10 minutes before I chose to stay elsewhere

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France MALE 25-30 Apr 14, 2026 Atm 80%

Hostel très agréable et super bien place, au calme mais à quelques minutes du métro seulement. Cuisine équipée correct, espaces communs agréables, RAS..

Translated to English

Very nice hostel and super well located, in a quiet but only a few minutes from the metro.

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Germany FEMALE 18-24 Apr 2, 2026 Atm 60%

Many old people in a unsafe area. The dogs are barking all the time at you

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Scotland FEMALE 18-24 Mar 27, 2026 Atm 60%

Great hostel and amazing value for money. We booked a private room which had AC! We were right next to the shared bathrooms which were well equipped and had a warm shower! The kitchen was well equipped although a little bit small for the amount of guests. Some of the guests got frustrated at having to share the cooking space :( The staff were super friendly and the security was top notch. It is located close to old town (30min walk along the prom) and you can get an uber anywhere for $2.

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England FEMALE 25-30 Mar 17, 2026 Atm 20%

Recommended by San Blas adventures to stay here and not sure why. If you’re doing San Blas there is no need to stay here. There are stray dogs and cats in the property. It feels unclean and there is a bad smell throughout. No curtains on the bed. The other guests were largely older and seemed to have been staying a while. The area felt very unsafe particularly as a solo female traveller. I tried to change to a private and the lady behind the desk was quite rude and made this quite difficult.

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England MALE 18-24 Mar 12, 2026 Atm 100%

I absolutely love this hostel! It has a poop which is amazing in the heat, free coffee everyday and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. They have AC at night which really helps me sleep. The atmosphere is amazing too. I loved it so much I stayed for 7 nights instead of my original 3!

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USA FEMALE 25-30 Feb 14, 2026 Atm 20%

The hostel itself is always dark and smells like piss. There are dogs running around who haven’t bed fed or washed properly and are probably carrying fleas.The dogs pissed on our bags and staff did nothing about and actually laughed in our face when we asked for compensation. I walked in the bathroom and there was poop in the toilet and pee around the seat and floor. Only cold water in shower. No curtains around the bed so don’t expect any privacy. Other guests weren’t friendly as they wer...

via Hostelworld
USA FEMALE 25-30 Feb 13, 2026 Atm 20%

They let their dogs pee on our bags and they didn’t clean it up til it was dry. Lady at the front desk is negligent and doesnt pay attention to anything. There was dog poop sitting in yhe hallway for hours. They’re not clean and do not care for guests.

via Hostelworld
France MIXEDGROUP 18-24 Jan 24, 2026 Atm 60%

Nous avons passé un bon séjour à la Mamallena. L’hostel est bien situé, propre de façon général. Il n’y avait pas plus d’activités que ça proposées. Je recommande tout de même

Translated to English

We had a nice stay at la Mamallena. the hostel is well located, clean in general. there were no more activities than this on offer. i recommend it anyway.

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England MALE 25-30 Jan 6, 2026 Atm 40%

Average hostel, just used it as a layover before doing san blas islands to Colombia, nothing to shout about really but staff were helpful

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Canada MALE Dec 29, 2025 Atm 60%

Mamallena is ok for backpacking experience. Only luxury was the swimming pool that was eeally fresh water to cool off. Security is great, staff are there if you need them, they have some pets so be carefull where you step, BUT they do clean as soon as possible. The price was fair. I would stay again if I needed a place. Close to metro and bus, mini supper and some restos. Close to the boardwalk and ok distance from Casco Viejo. I had a fan in the room and it is rather louf even at low speed...

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Brazil FEMALE Dec 23, 2025 Atm 20%

The hostel is very dirty. We stayed in a private room which smelled like mold. It was only one night. the pool area also was dirty and not well kept

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Norway COUPLE 25-30 Dec 8, 2025 Atm 20%

Bildene viser ikke hvordan hostellet ser ut i virkeligheten. Opplevde at det ikke var rent på rom eller felles områdene. Håndklærne vi fikk var svært skitne og ba om nye. Da vi fikk nye var de like skitene og våte. Område rundt var ikke koselig. Det går for en natt, men ville ikke anbefalt å bo her lengre.

Translated to English

The picture doesn't show how the hostel looks in reality. I found out that there was no rent on the rooms or common areas. The handcuffs we got were very dirty and new. When we got the new one it was just as dirty and wet. The surrounding area was not cozy. It's only for one night, but wouldn't recommend staying here any longer.

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Germany MALE 25-30 Dec 2, 2025 Atm 20%

I wouldn't ever go back there if I had to choose.

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France MALE Nov 12, 2025 Atm 100%

very nice place with a pool, perfect to refresh yourself when it's hot outside

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USA MALE Nov 3, 2025 Atm 100%

Teniendo presente que el lugar es internacional donde por la reunión de personas de varios idioma y cultura. . Fue mi primera experiencia conviví cinco días un hogar,es una familia única. Le estoy muy agradecido al equipo representa a Mamallena. Y un saludo a mis nuevos amigos muy agradecido. Antonio Veloz. EEUU(cubano)

Translated to English

Keeping in mind that the place is international where by meeting people of various languages and cultures. . It was my first experience lived together for five days a hogar,is a unique family. I am very grateful to the team representing Mamallena. and a greeting to my new friends very grateful. Antonio Veloz. USA(Cuban)

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Mexico MALE 25-30 Sep 22, 2025 Atm 80%

Excelente opción si no tienes mucho presupuesto como fue mi caso. Estuve por casi 3 semanas hospedado aquí. El hostal está completamente equipado con todo lo necesario para pasar un buen rato. La cocina tiene de todo, ¡incluso tuppers! Las áreas comunes son amplias y buena limpieza, sin embargo aunque se ven limpios los dormitorios, solo hacen la limpieza muy pocos días dentro de los dormitorios. El personal es muy generoso y atento, dispuestos a ayudar en cualquier momento. ¡Gracias po...

Translated to English

Excellent option if you don't have much budget as was my case. I stayed here for almost 3 weeks. The hostel is fully equipped with everything you need to have a good time. The kitchen has everything, including tuppers! The common areas are spacious and clean, however although the dormitories look clean, they only clean very few days inside the dormitories. The staff is very generous and attentive, willing to help at any time. Thanks for everything Mamallena!

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USA FEMALE 25-30 Jun 22, 2025 Atm 60%

I wouldn’t stay here unless you’re going on one of the San Blas island tours and they are picking you up or dropping you off here. Staff were so helpful but it’s in a pretty sketchy part of the city and I didn’t feel safe walking around. Not many people talking and overall weird vibe with many older seemingly long term guests.