Bed bug reports for Bodhi Hostel & Lounge — HostelPunk
Bodhi Hostel & Lounge

El Valle de Anton · Panama

Bodhi Hostel & Lounge

Punk Score
85% GOOD-ISH
High confidence 2,004 reviews
Best in El Valle de Anton
Bed bug reports Showing 3 reports · 1 in the last 12 months
  1. Confirmed Google Maps

    Nice hostel. In the bemiddel of the town. The staf is very friendly and helpfull, especially with information about the hikes. The kit hes is big and has everything. Plastis matrasses so no change of bedbugs and airco in the room!

  2. Confirmed Google Maps

    The good aspects of our stay were overshadowed by a number of bad experiences and the high price. We stayed in both dorms (2/5) and a private room (3/5). I do not understand the high rating, and imagine it must be based on the common areas (4.5/5). We really wanted to like this place after seeing great reviews, but we experienced: 1. Our second night other guests found bed bugs (chinches) in our dorm, told the staff, and were moved. However, the staff did *not inform us* over the next few hours as we sat in the beds and prepared to sleep. Another guest told us, and upon looking we saw bugs on one of our beds (later had bites). The staff did not immediately offer solutions nor guidance, but agreed to our requests for a different room and laundry. We saw them cleaning the next day, but other guests had already moved rooms without isolating their luggage... 2. The dorm has AC but it was off at bedtime (9 - 11 pm) leaving the room hot, and then came on around 12 - 2 am blasting cold and waking us up; we slept horribly. The staff were dismissive and ignored the issue. 3. Inconsistent/slow service and bad communication between shifts. For example, two times the laundry they said would be done the same day was not started the following day around noon. When asked, we were told, "oh I'll tell the next shift." Some requests for info about activities were met with, "I'll check and get back to you," but we never heard back. 5. Private room number 4 was incredibly hot (5°C hotter than hall outside). It gets sun on two sides and the window is over a metal roof that bakes it. The fans are insufficient, so it is hard to sleep. For the price, there should be AC or better ventilation installed. Miscellaneous: multiple cameras in the dorm room - aimed at the beds, third level bunks very high up, uncomfortable mattresses (dorm and private), curtain did not block light, lockers too small for most bags, cigarette smoke everywhere in courtyard (no designated area/posted rules), dining table next to bathrooms, my vegan partner asked about a vegan breakfast and they said buttermilk pancakes contained no animal products (they have milk and egg). On the positive side, as other reviewers mention, the indoor and outdoor lounges, well equipped kitchen, smoothies at the cafe, and bathrooms were all great. WIFI was stable for work/video calls (except a power outage). The breakfast was nice for vegetarians.

  3. Possible Google Maps

    Lamentablemente no fue la mejor experiencia. Las áreas comunes son muy buenas y te invitan a pasar el rato y conocer a gente y tienen buen internet como para trabajar. Nuestro problema fue en las habitaciones. Nos quedamos en el dormitorio compartido y en una habitación privada. La primera noche dormimos muy mal porque el aire acondicionado se prendió a eso de las 00:30 am me despertó y me morí de frío. Y se volvió a estabilizar a eso de las 2 am. Cuando comentamos esto al staff sentimos que nos ignoraron. El día siguiente nos dimos cuenta que el resto de la gente del dormitorio se había ido, pero una de ellas nos avisó que era porque habían encontrado bichos en las camas y al inspeccionar mi cama, encontré Chinches!!! (Los cuales me picaron). Lo que me molestó de la situación es que aunque estuvimos sentados en el área del lounge por horas al lado del Staff y luego nos vieron sentados en las camas preparándonos para dormir no nos avisaron. Tuvimos que pedir un cambio de habitación y ayuda con la limpieza de nuestra ropa, fuimos nosotros los que tuvimos que tomar la iniciativa ya que el staff nocturno no nos ofreció ninguna solución. Por último nos quedamos en una habitación privada que era demasiado calurosa y si tomas en consideración el precio que se paga, debería tener aire acondicionado. El Valle es realmente hermoso y la ubicación del hostal es excelente, pero el problema de los bichos y la disposición del Staff hacia el asunto realmente opacó nuestra estadía.

HostelPunk native reviews

First-party field notes

Leave a review

No first-party HostelPunk reviews yet. Be the first signal.

Vibe Analysis

Bodhi Hostel & Lounge works best as a relaxed El Valle base with a garden, outdoor lounging spots, a well-equipped kitchen, free breakfast, and easy access to hikes from town. The location is central, close to markets, supermarkets, restaurants, buses, and trail planning help at reception. The cafe bar is a real part of the setup, with coffee, smoothies, ice cream, and a cinema or Netflix area nearby. That gives the hostel more hangout texture than a basic bed-and-kitchen stop, especially after a hiking day. The social side can be good, especially around group hikes, activities, the garden, and shared spaces, but it is not a full-throttle party hostel. The mood often leans calm, early-night, outdoorsy, and recovery-mode, with enough room to cook, work, read, do yoga, or meet others when the timing clicks. Dorm comfort is mixed. Beds can have curtains, plugs, lights, fans, lockers, and sometimes AC, but the three-level bunks are a recurring weak spot: high, awkward to climb, and not ideal for bags or bedside storage.

Signals to check

  • Three-level bunks can feel high, cramped, or awkward, especially on the top level. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 10, 2026
  • The atmosphere may be calm rather than busy or party-heavy, and organized activities are not always running. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 7, 2026
  • Dorm storage can be limited, and some rooms may feel tight for bags. 3 mentions Last mentioned Mar 28, 2026
  • Showers can be inconsistent, with cold water or low privacy in some bathroom setups. 3 mentions Last mentioned Nov 20, 2025
  • AC can run very cold in dorms, while some private rooms may rely on fans. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 10, 2026
  • Security cameras in dorm areas may be uncomfortable for privacy-sensitive travelers. 3 mentions Last mentioned Jun 24, 2025
  • Cleanliness is generally solid, but there are occasional complaints about smells, bedding, bathrooms, or lockers. 3 mentions Last mentioned Jan 4, 2026
Book here: Hostelworld from ≈$19 Booking.com HW prices from today

Tags

Drip perks

🚲 Bicycle Hire

Facilities

🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry 🅿️ Free Parking 💻 Coworking Space 🅿️ Parking 🌅 Outdoor Terrace 🌿 Garden 🍳 Free Breakfast 🍺 Bar ☕ Cafe
Other facilities (27)
Free City Maps Free WiFi Free Internet Access Bicycle Parking Luggage Storage Tours/Travel Desk ATM Housekeeping Internet Access Book Exchange Wi-Fi Restaurant Tea & Coffee Making Facilities Recycling Bins Linen Included Towels Included Reading Light Hair Dryers Ceiling Fan Security Lockers Key Card Access 24 Hour Security CCTV in Common Areas Fire Extinguishers Common Room Lounge Room Hot Showers

Unusual phrases