Reviews of Panama Beach Lodge
Calle Playa Pelicano s/n, San Carlos, Panama
#4 of 6 hotels in San Carlos
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 63 hostel reviews
8.8Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
8.6
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Comfort
8.6
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Location
9.4
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Facilities
8.2
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Staff
9.4
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Value for money
8.5
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Free WiFi
9.5
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Showing 1 – 25
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Reviewed: 18 August 2025
Luma
Brazil11 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“I had a great time.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
It would be even better with breakfast included.
The staff is super friendly, you can have surf classes, facilities, it is very close to the beach The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience feel personal and relaxed. The location is unbeatable—just steps from the beach with access to surf spots. Surf lessons and board rentals are available on-site, yoga classes on Sundays, which makes everything super convenient.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 26 July 2025
Jana
Belgium5 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
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Very nice house and outside area. They have a surfschool as well, were you can take lessons or rent a board. The staff is very friendly. They invited me to go to another surfspot. And came to get me and drop me off at the busstation! A lovely stay if you want to do some surfing and chilling!
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 15 June 2025
Anežka
Czech Republic44 reviews12 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Gabriel was very velcoming and helped us with everything we needed Super close to the beach where we surfed
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 18 April 2025
Tobi
Spain8 reviews9.0“Would recomend!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Almost no restaurants or shops around - just bring what you need from the minimarket at the panamericana
Super cute & chill surferhostel! Lovely atmosphere and literally next to the beach
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 30 March 2024
Laura
Canada2 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Awesome location right next to beach. The chill out areas are nice. Good vibes. Family friendly. Awesome staff. Best surf spot and super safe to swim. Our favourite place to visit in Panama. We will be back for sure!
Stayed in March 2024
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Reviewed: 27 March 2024
Carolina
Germany25 reviews10“Fabulous”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Very comfy, nice people, very silent, close to the Beach, very clean and well equiped kitchen
Stayed in March 2024
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Reviewed: 11 February 2024
Aleksandra
Poland27 reviews4 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
It felt like home, The owner is such a nice person. Really nice place and the beach next to it :)
Stayed in January 2024
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Reviewed: 4 February 2024
Ariel
Panama5 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Good, pretty and Cheaper”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The room need a more maintenance like a paint.
A good place to relax, the beach it’s very close and u can hear the waves. The price it’s very good.
Stayed in January 2024
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Reviewed: 3 February 2024
Théo
France5 reviews10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The staff and the place are amazing!
Stayed in February 2024
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Reviewed: 1 February 2024
Sachi
United States41 reviews9 helpful votes9.0“Feels like home. Perfect for a chill beach stay.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Though the kitchen is well equipped with cookware, utensils and dishes, bring your own oil and seasonings.
The location right next to Playa El Palmar is amazing. The common areas are nicely set up with a lot of space to lounge, eat, and hang out. Everything is clean and the vibe is relaxed. The owners and staff are super friendly, José even took a group of us on an impromptu waterfall excursion one day. The 6-bed dorms are comfortable and have air conditioning. I didn’t take advantage of the surf board rentals or lessons, but it’s great that they’re available.
Stayed in January 2024
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Reviewed: 21 January 2024
Francis
Singapore74 reviews12 helpful votes10“Best hostel in San Carlos beach area!”- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
There is no bar or restaurant in the hostel but was told it would be ready within next week. That will really be good!
The location was beachfront & Jose the man incharge of the hostel was wonderful. He did everything to ensure we have a pleasant stay. The chill out area was really nice & we enjoyed the place!
Stayed in January 2024
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Reviewed: 7 January 2024
Sherelyn
Philippines4 reviews1 helpful vote10“Affordable hostel. You can choose from private rooms to bunkbeds. You can cook your healthy food.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
I think i would like to have atleast 1 shower room inside the hostel.
I like the staff very friendly. There is a cat named Noche who is so behave. The place is spacipus and clean. The garden is super nice very organized from toilet to shower area and the changing room.
Stayed in October 2023
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Reviewed: 14 December 2023
Sara
Denmark22 reviews3 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
I spent a lot of time in el Palmar during low season and without a car you're a bit isolated, but now that dry season is on, things seem to be really picking up in the area.
I lived in Panama for 6 months and Panama Beach Lodge was my main weekend get away from the city, the closest to having your own beach hut just steps away from the beach without having to be responsible for maintenance! Super easy to get to by bus in 1h30 from Panama City and the journey costs about USD 3. I spent a lot of time in el Palmar to practice my surfing and Popote Surf School in the Lodge is an excellent place for surf lessons and board rental with really friendly staff. Really recommend both Panama Beach Lodge and Popote Surf School. Really sad to be leaving Panama!
Stayed in December 2023
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Reviewed: 23 October 2023
Sara
Denmark22 reviews3 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
Chill place with proximity to the beach and a good surf school. Good value for money!
Stayed in October 2023
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Reviewed: 2 August 2023
Renee
Panama1 review10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
N/A
Such a beautiful and peaceful spot. The hostel is right on the beach and the staff is so friendly and kind. We did a mobility class and surf lessons and had so much fun! Would recommend in a heartbeat.
Stayed in July 2023
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Reviewed: 18 July 2023
Ines
France92 reviews8 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nice place to stay if you want to surf : just in front of one of the beach and a few minute walk from the other one ! The room is nice, with AC, and the kitchen well equipped. Gracias !
Stayed in July 2023
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Reviewed: 11 June 2023
Erik
United States10 reviews5 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Multiple showers out of order leaving only one outdoor shower in the courtyard with a curtain and one without. Adding a curtain would be nice or fixing the others. The kitchen got very hot, a fan would make it so much better.
Amazing staff, Popote surf school in the hostel, well equipped and organized kitchen, good internet (worked for video calls).
Stayed in June 2023
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Reviewed: 1 June 2023
Scheffing
United States5 reviews8.0“absolutely beautiful place will go back”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
the outdoor showers were amazing and so was the hangout area!
Stayed in May 2023
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Reviewed: 18 May 2023
Filipe
Germany11 reviews4 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 10 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
a very special experience - the people there really took care of us and treated us like very good friends, it’s not at all expensive and you have the beach and surfing about 30m away. They also organize many special events like yoga, mobility classes, dancing, parties and excursions to a nice waterfall (many of those for free)
Stayed in April 2023
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Reviewed: 28 April 2023
Hanna
Germany2 reviews8.0“Good surfer vibes, perfect to get away from the tourist spots”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
Kitchen could have had a few more pots. An included towel would have been nice
Quiet little beach village, and surfer spot. Good vibes with the staff and lots of sun and relaxation. Lovingly furnished with comfortable outdoor showers, everything you need as a backpacker. Easy to reach by local bus.
Stayed in March 2023
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Reviewed: 23 April 2023
Richard
Canada7 reviews3 helpful votes10Exceptional- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing to dislike
Staff was very friendly and welcoming and the place had a great vibe
Stayed in April 2023
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Reviewed: 21 April 2023
Sallyc_uk
United Kingdom46 reviews4 helpful votes10“Great staff!!!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 11 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Loved this place!! Staff and the other travellers here were amazing. Really great humans. The staff and their friends even took us to a waterfall one day. Location is 1 minute to the beach. Great place to chill if you have been travelling for awhile and also surf if you want to, which a lot.of people do. Great facilities too. Best thing about this place is the team, all so lovely!! Thank you all
Stayed in March 2023
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Reviewed: 25 March 2023
Emma
Germany8 reviews8.0Very good- • Business trip
- • People with friends
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The rooms are simple but totally fine. The air conditioning didn’t really cool the room down.
The owners and the surf teacher were so nice. When the waves were bad they even took us to a waterfall. The Hostel is right at the beach and has a really nice outdoor space. Its a nice place to get to know new people.
Stayed in March 2023
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Reviewed: 6 March 2023
Ianoshkar
Panama9 reviews10“it is a very nice place. it is filled with an incredible positive energy.”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
everything is clean, the staff provides instructions and good to know information
Stayed in February 2023
Showing 1 – 25
