Hostal Casa Areka Panama

Absolutely love the location of this hostel. It’s right across from a mall with an awesome movie theatre. There is an excellent grocery store across the street as well. We didn’t get to actually stay in the hostel because they overbooked the private rooms, so they put us in their airbnb. The airbnb was nice, definitely could have been cleaner though. The noise outside on the Main Street is the worst part of the location. Panamanians in the area love to lay on the car horn and the windows and walls are made of paper so it sounds like you’re right next to the noise.

Frank is an amazing and friendly host. The hostel is really aesthetic and has nice pool and breakout area. The common washrooms are super small though. It’s in a nice area but a bit far away from the night life. It is more for chill travelers who are not really looking to stay closer to the night life area. Overall it was an amazing stay. Stayed in both the dorms and the private room. The private room was quite spacious and clean. The hostal is adjacent to a huge supermarket so convenience wise, it’s amazing. Recommended for longer stays.

My favourite hostel in Central America! Fantastic free breakfast of pancakes, banana & coffee. Nice pool area. Will be back again!

I booked two nights at the beginning of my trip. Room is clean, bathroom as well, shower was warm. Didn’t use the pool because I wasn’t at the hostel during the day. Breakfast is pancakes you have to make yourself. Kitchen has a lot of stuff available. Not noisy, however a lot of people go to San Blas Islands and get up very early .. Nice guests and staff.

Hostal Casa Areka earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. The hostel includes breakfast, which consists of pancakes you make yourself along with fresh fruits, a nice touch for budget travelers. The wifi connection worked great during my stay, which was very reliable for getting work done. One important thing to note is that the hostel operates on a cash-only basis, so be sure to withdraw money beforehand. A slight inconvenience was the lack of lockers inside the rooms. My room was on the ground floor, but the locker I had to use for valuables was located on the third floor, which was not ideal. The location is very close to the main road, so it can get noisy at times. While it is outside the city center, the Super 99 supermarket is just a 5-minute walk away. This supermarket is American-style and very convenient, as it has ATMs and a pharmacy inside. The nearest bus station is about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the hostel. Overall, Hostal Casa Areka provides good value with its included breakfast and reliable wifi. The cash-only policy and lack of in-room lockers are minor drawbacks, but the proximity to Super 99 makes up for it. If you don’t mind being slightly outside the city center, this is a decent budget-friendly option.

If/when I return to Panama City, I will never stay anywhere else except Casa Areka. Fantastic hostel, nice kitchen, pool, patio area. They really foster a social and relaxed atmosphere. Stayed in a private room- comfortable bed, AC and hot water. What makes this hostel better than the rest is the staff. They make you feel welcome and are so helpful with questions, etc. Jesus, Jose, Mateas- you all rock. Even they are in the shadow of Queen Nala and Kiera, the hostel cats, who steal the spotlight and will always greet you warmly. Highly recommended. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

We got a private room with a bathroom and really enjoyed our stay for the price. The common areas made it easy to socialize and the staff members were really friendly.

We had a private room in the second floor. The room was comfortable enough and we had our own fridge. The water wasn’t hot for showers, which is common in Central America, but we expected that a Euro-friendly, English speaking hostel would have hot water. The service was great. Check in was easy. It is a secure location from the outside hustle and bustle. The location is across the boulevard from a grocery store and shops, which was very convenient for coming our own food, and close enough to a bus. Most other people used Uber. Be prepared for beeping and loud music outside the walls all day because it is on a major boulevard. That said, the vibe in the small common areas is super chill. There is nice park right up the street with outdoor workout equipment. It’s not walkable to local sites such as Casco Viejo and museums, so bear that in mind, but it is safe. It’s a quick ride to the airport, so that’s a plus if you are traveling by air. Note that if you want a super local immersive experience, this may not be it. English was the common language and we met Europeans and Americans only during our stay. Lots of digital nomads, so if you need higher tech for work, this is a great place with steady wifi and working areas