Mamallena Backpackers in Panama City, Panama

Wow, my teen son and I enjoyed staying with the folks at Mamallena at PTY. It's located in a real neighborhood with character, yet secure enough so as not to be constantly concerned about safety. The crew at Mama strive to get it right, while remaining laid back and non intrusive. Two thumbs up for this worthy locale Joe, from USA ~ 3rd Jun 2009

You get what you pay for and nothing more. This is a very busy hostel, so you don't get the same attention and assistance from the staff (which is very friendly) that you might get at another hostel. Security: Anyone who rings the bell at the front door gets let into the hostel with no questions asked. Also, the barrio that Mamallena is located in is a tough area: beggers and homeless outside the front door and they know that travelers are coming in and out all day and night.

I think we give good value for your money, considering we´re a budget hostel. Breakfast, Air Con, social areas, free movies, 24 hour reception, tourist advice, I really don´t understand what more we could offer. And we do open the door for anyone, it´s how we know what they want. They then come to our 24 hour reception where they speak to our staff. You basically can´t enter the hostel without going past our staff. I wouldn´t call this area tough though, it´s a middle class neighbourhood with lots of families close to one of the busiest streets in Panama. Of course theres beggers, you´re traveling in Central America! The best areas of Panama have beggers and homeless people, it´s the way it is down here. I figured thats why people were traveling, to experience a different culture and way of life. If you can´t handle living in the real Panama, then pick a place in El Cangrejo, it still has beggers but the area is more like the States.
Hide Owner Comments

Read Owner Comments

Lucas, from USA ~ 25th May 2009

the young guy owner -Stuart,-is very nice-caring person. Except when I just came at 8am, he received me with a sharp and cold voice that 'i will refuse anyone who comes 3 hour late-i explained that i just late 2 hr.} he checkup the time] I don't know if he is serious about that-until now I believe he is, if that is the condition of the hostel, he should post it on its website so the customers could know in advance. even if he did that, i think it's not fair because by the norm, customer book a

Hey Tam, glad you liked the place in the end. Sorry if I put you off at the start, but I'm Australian and our sarcasm can be a bit much!! Takes a while to know when I'm joking sometimes.... But eitherway, you actually had a booking for 6pm and din't show up until around 9pm, not 8am as you said!! The instructions when you make the booking are that you have to reconfirm the booking 24 hours in advance. You didn't do that but I didn't cancel your booking as I was allowed to. I think it's more than reasonable that if you don't reconfirm as asked, and you're three hours late, then we can cancel the booking. It's not reasonable to expect us to keep your reservation all day hoping thast you might show up! Sometimes there's other people waiting for beds as well. But you got your bed anyway so no problems. Thanks Tam, feel free to come back anytime(and thats not sarcastic!!). Remember to confirm or call next time though......
Hide Owner Comments

Read Owner Comments

Tam, from USA ~ 14th Apr 2009

Great place to stay. The staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms and bathrooms were clean and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Ryan, from USA ~ 17th Feb 2009

Great place, comfy, clean and fun. Sharon, from Canada ~ 31st Jan 2009

Amazing hostel! suggested for all travelers. safe, clean, friendly, extremely helpful (especially for planning other cheap trips) and fun. A+ !! Theo, from USA ~ 18th Jan 2009

The only problem with the security at the hostel is that people staying here constantly leave the door open to the street. If you are here with more responsible people it probably won't be any problem at all. The staff is great, especially Luke. It is a good place to meet people from all over the world. Krista, from USA ~ 18th Jan 2009