El Machico Hostel

Panama City · Panama

El Machico Hostel

HostelPunk Score
45% SHIT
High confidence 267 reviews
4th best in Panama City
No bed bug reports in 274 analyzed reviews
No incentivized-review patterns detected in 274 analyzed reviews

Tags

Facilities

🏊 Swimming Pool 🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry 🌅 Outdoor Terrace 🍳 Free Breakfast ☕ Cafe
Other facilities (37)
Free WiFi Free Internet Access Free Security Lockers Bicycle Parking Adaptors Luggage Storage 24 Hour Reception Tours/Travel Desk Housekeeping Internet Access Book Exchange PlayStation Board Games Cable TV Pool Table Wi-Fi Gaming Consoles Smart TV Recycling Bins Linen Included Air Conditioning Reading Light Hair Dryers Towels Not Included Charging Plugs Towels For Hire Paid Luggage Storage Security Lockers 24 Hour Security CCTV in Common Areas Fire Extinguishers First Aid Kits Hot Showers Common Room Games Room Tea & Coffee Making Facilities Minibar

Prices

Dorms $21 / night
Privates $47 / night

HW prices from today

Unusual phrases

Worst reviews

Switzerland FEMALE 25-30 Mar 25, 2026 2.0/10

It was really, really dirty everywhere. Never saw hostel toilets and showers like these. Was very disappointing and would not come back.

via Hostelworld
Turkey MALE 18-24 Mar 22, 2025 2.0/10

When I came back after check-in at night. Someone else was söeeping in my bed. Staff took away my personal belongings without asking or calling me. I get so upset, they didn’t seem to care at first but then I started to speak loudly and then they offered me a stay in a hotel nearby. I was staying in Panama for 3 nights and my whole trip went terrible because of this. If you stay there, it would probably be okay but this might happen to you as well so it’s not a professional hostel be aware.

via Hostelworld
England FEMALE 18-24 Apr 6, 2023 2.0/10

We showed up and our booking for 3 nights on the website had not been put through their system so they could only offer us one night in separate rooms.

via Hostelworld
Poland FEMALE 31-40 Jul 14, 2022 2.0/10

If you are 16 y.o and want to be around kids same age - then go for it!!! There was no age limit and hostel was flooded with loud and disrespectful teenagers! No house rules - no silence after 11pm - forget about it!!! It s loud all night long (and early morning too when some of them come back wasted). I had my own room right next to the dorm - somebody was trying to enter my room multiple times! On top of that the room was near to some very very noisy machine from the building next door so all ...

via Hostelworld
Israel COUPLE 31-40 Jun 3, 2025 4.0/10

Bad. the stuff are very rude and not welcoming at all. Zero tolerance to people.(unless you are a blonde girl) I even asked one of the stuff members to play in the TV consulate (sony playsation) And he told me: " i am playing now, can't you see?" Moreover, everytime you try to pass through the gate, you have to wait 2 minutes until the stuff members will open you.

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England COUPLE 25-30 Mar 11, 2025 4.0/10

Nowhere to put your stuff at all and no privacy whilst sleeping. Everything super dirty. Terrible security. Pool was good though.

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Canada FEMALE 25-30 Aug 7, 2024 4.0/10

AC cannot be turned on between 9:45-19:00. Staff came into the room to close it without knocking. The space between bunk beds were tight to sit up, even when I’m only 5’2”. There’s no key to the gate(staff 24hr to open) and no key to the room (can’t lock it at night and someone who didn’t stay in the room just randomly walked in). No lock for the lockers. Also, there was a giant cockroach in the room/bathroom. Many nearby restaurants but need to Uber to any other tourist destination...

via Hostelworld
England FEMALE 25-30 Jun 30, 2023 4.0/10

Really no vibe at all. Completely empty with no social atmosphere. Couple of remote workers and that’s about it. Staff were sweet so not really their fault. ‘Daily shuttle to Panama canal’ as advertised on their hostel world was non existent. Wouldn’t recommend for a solo traveler.

via Hostelworld
Germany MALE 25-30 Feb 18, 2023 4.0/10

Nothing special, rather stay somewhere else next time

via Hostelworld
France MALE 18-24 Dec 11, 2022 4.0/10

The problem I experienced was rather disturbing. I understand there are new comers who come in the middle of the night i.e. passed midnight to stay. There are already at least five guests sleeping and the staff barges in with the new guests into the room speaking loud and turns on the bright lights in the whole room. I’m sorry but, the staff can tell the guests the assigned bed number (written on the bunks) and leave it to the guests to use their phone lights in the dark. Let us sleep please !...

via Hostelworld

Recent reviews

Canada FEMALE 18-24 May 2, 2026 Atm 80%

The hostel itself was really nice, but there were no activities like advertised, and overall it wasn’t really as social as it’s made to seem online. The dorms were really nice though!

via Hostelworld
Turkey MALE 31-40 Apr 16, 2026 Atm 100%

Nice place and close to public transportation.

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 25-30 Apr 7, 2026 Atm 100%

I had an amazing time! The location is in a very nice area with lots of food options around! The atmosphere in the hostel is very chill and you will easily meet others during the daily breakfast!

via Hostelworld
England FEMALE 18-24 Apr 5, 2026 Atm 100%

Loved this hostel! The first hostel I had ever stayed in and felt super comfortable, safe, and relaxed ! The staff are so nice, and the people the hostel attracts are all so nice! Breakfast is great too!!

via Hostelworld
USA MALE 31-40 Apr 3, 2026 Atm 100%

Good vibe - solid location.

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Germany FEMALE 25-30 Mar 26, 2026 Atm 100%

The doorms are nice with curtains and nice beds but the bathroom should be renovated at one point. Breakfast pancakes are included.

via Hostelworld
Switzerland FEMALE 25-30 Mar 25, 2026 Atm 20%

It was really, really dirty everywhere. Never saw hostel toilets and showers like these. Was very disappointing and would not come back.

via Hostelworld
Colombia FEMALE 31-40 Mar 25, 2026 Atm 100%

Overall good but not enough bathrooms

via Hostelworld
Netherlands FEMALE 25-30 Mar 22, 2026 Atm 100%

Super sociaal hostel! Mooie grote keuken waar je fijn gebruik van kan maken, ookal zijn andere hier ook bezig. Het personeel is super vriendelijk en behulpzaam! Kamers netjes, airco werkt goed en er worden leuke activiteiten georganiseerd.

Translated to English

Super social hostel! nice big kitchen that you can use to enjoy whatever the other people are doing here. the staff is super friendly and helpful! rooms are neat, air conditioning works well and there are nice activities organized.

via Hostelworld
Canada FEMALE 25-30 Mar 22, 2026 Atm 100%

Superbe endroit avec petit déjeuner inclus et piscine. La literie des dortoirs était propre, les salles de bain aussi. On s'y sentait bien.

Translated to English

The bedroom bed linen was clean, the bathrooms were clean too.

via Hostelworld
England FEMALE 31-40 Mar 22, 2026 Atm 60%

When I arrived, the man on the front desk acknowledged me and asked for my passport but then proceeded to spend a few minutes writing a text before checking me in. The key for my room was missing and took a couple hours to find (I checked in at 5pm so not sure why this hadn’t been checked and sorted before). The facilities in the private room and shared toilet/showers by the pool were tired. There was still hair, and bits of plastic, in the sink of my shower which suggests it wasn’t cleaned.

via Hostelworld
Costa Rica MALE 31-40 Mar 21, 2026 Atm 80%

Overall great experience. Only downside is the guy at reception was not friendly at all and the shower wasn’t clean. Bed was comfortable, hot water, enough areas to hang out and great neighborhoods.

via Hostelworld
Switzerland FEMALE 31-40 Mar 20, 2026 Atm 80%

Im CBD von Panama gelegen - mit Uber/Bolt aber gut erreichbar. A/C hat gut funktioniert

Translated to English

I'm in the CBD of Panama located - with Uber/Bolt but gut reachbar.

via Hostelworld
England FEMALE 25-30 Mar 13, 2026 Atm 40%

Nice hostel for a quick stop over but not much going on in regards atmosphere

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 31-40 Mar 11, 2026 Atm 100%

Sehr soziales, angenehmes Hostel. Man kann sich im Pool abkühlen. Die Küche hat 2 Kühlschränke & 2 TKs, was ich sehr gut finde. Es ist genügend Platz zu kochen, auch mit mehreren Gästen. Die Mitarbeiter und die Besitzer des Hostels sind sehr nett und hilfsbereit. Es ist rund um die Uhr jemand da. Die Zimmer sind gut ausgestattet: USB-Anschluss, Licht & Vorhang für jedes Bett. Klimaanlage. Ich konnte sehr gut schlafen. Kostenloses Frühstück: Pancakes mit Sirup & Bananen; Kaf...

Translated to English

The staff and the Hostels Owners are very nice and helpful. It is around the clock somebody da. The rooms are well equipped: USB-Anschluss, Licht & Vorhang für jedes Bettananlage. Klimaanlage. Ich konnte sehr gut schlafen. Kostenloses Frühstück: Pancakes mit Sirup & Bananen; Kaffee Seh

via Hostelworld
Germany FEMALE 25-30 Feb 28, 2026 Atm 100%

Gute, saubere Unterkunft mit geräumeriger Küche. Zimmer waren großzügig und die Kapseln gemütlich. In der ersten Etage gibt es nur eine Dusche/Toilette und leider gab ea manchmal relativ früh keine Pfannkuchen zum Frühstück mehr.

Translated to English

The rooms were generous and the capsules cozy. on the first floor there is only one shower/toilet and sometimes relatively early there are no Pfannkuchen zum Frühstück mehr.

via Hostelworld
USA FEMALE Feb 24, 2026 Atm 100%

Great location. Loved the vibe. Staff is friendly and helpful

via Hostelworld
Germany MALE 18-24 Feb 16, 2026 Atm 100%

bestes Hostel, um ein paar Tage in Panama City anzukommen. Man lernt schnell Leute kennen

Translated to English

Bestes Hostel, to arrive in Panama City for a few days.

via Hostelworld
Germany MIXEDGROUP 18-24 Feb 16, 2026 Atm 100%

super gutes Hostel kann ich nur weiterempfehlen. Kann man nix falsch machen. Hatten 2 Bäder mit Dusche im Schlafsahl auf 10 Personen (natürlich gab es außerhalb der Schlafsähle noch Klos und Duschen). Rießige küche, super Pool, Personal super nett, zum Frühstück Pancake mit bahnane und Kaffee.

Translated to English

I can only recommend super gutes Hostel. Can you go wrong with anything. Hatten 2 Bedrooms with Dusche im Schlafsahl auf 10 Personen (of course there were no Klos und Duschen outside the Schlafsähle). Rießige kitchen, super Pool, Personal super nett, zum Frühstück Pancake with bahnane and Coffee.

via Hostelworld
Switzerland FEMALE Feb 13, 2026 Atm 100%

Top hostel. Fühle mich sehr wohl. Personal sehr freundlich. Frühstück gibt es pancakes und banane und kaffee. Küche top ausgestattet - sehr sauber. Grosszügige Zimmer, genug stauraum und genug anschlüsse für ladekabel und co. Umbegung nicht wunderschön aber ich fühlte mich sicher.

Translated to English

Top hostel. Feel very comfortable. Staff very friendly. Breakfast is pancakes and bananas and coffee. Kitchen top equipped - very clean. Generous rooms, enough stauraum and enough connections for charging cables and co. Umbegung nicht wunderschön aber ich fühlte mich sicher.