Hostels were the first big accommodation type in Bocas del Toro when tourism started over 20 years ago. Surfers were the first to discover the islands for the tropical paradise that they are, and a few hostels popped up to meet the demand. Jump to 2023, and you’ve got more than a few excellent hostels to choose from.
Some hostels are beachfront, and some are entirely over-the-water. There’s a few with swimming pools, and one even has a 150-foot water slide. We’ve actually lived in the islands since 2015, and here are our picks for the best hostels in Bocas del Toro:
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Top Pick: Palmar Beach Lodge – Isla Bastimentos
Palmar Beach Lodge is located on Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos. They feature a wide variety of rooms, from mixed dorms to tents and nicer jungalows. Their location right on Red Frog Beach is one of the best locations for a hostel in Bocas del Toro.
If you are a traveler coming to Bocas del Toro and want to see a few of the different areas, then we definitely recommend staying a few nights down at Red Frog Beach. The beach is amazing and there are more beaches within walking distance, like Polo Beach and Wizard Beach. There’s also beach volleyball, surfing for beginners, yoga and the occasional beach bonfire.
BOOK PALMAR BEACH LODGE
Check out our Isla Bastimentos Travel Guide, and our Bocas del Toro Beach Guide
Top Pick: Bambuda Bocas Town – Isla Colón
Bambuda Bocas Town is new and beautifully designed hotel and hostel, with dorm rooms, private rooms, and some really nice hotel rooms. The hotel is located on the North side of town which is typically more relaxed, and faces the dominant wind direction (so the afternoon breeze is killer). The bottom floor of this overwater hotel/ hostel is their fully open-air restaurant/ bar and deck area.
I know you’re looking for hostels in Bocas del Toro, but if you wanted to splurge on a nice hotel room for a few nights, this would be the place. They have our favorite hotel rooms in all of Bocas!
BOOK BAMBUDA BOCAS TOWN
Check out our Isla Colón Panama Travel Guide
Top Pick: Bambuda Lodge – Isla Solarte
Bambuda Lodge is one of the original super-successful hostels to come out of Bocas del Toro. They are located on Isla Solarte at about a 7-minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town. Bambuda Lodge is known for their huge swimming pool, 150ft. water slide, great restaurant, and awesome hiking trails.
They have dorm rooms, private rooms, and even thatch-covered private domes. The owners are well known and connected in Bocas and their hostels are often the scene of some wild parties. Bambuda Lodge is the #1 rated hostel in Panama, and they stay pretty booked up for that reason.
BOOK BAMBUDA LODGE
Check out our Quick Travel Guide to Isla Solarte
Selina Bocas Town – Isla Colón
Selina Bocas Town is the original Selina location. That’s right, Selina, the global brand of hostels with countless locations worldwide, started with just one hostel in Bocas del Toro! How is that even possible?
Anyway, Selina Bocas Town is what most Selina’s are known for: super trendy style, often the center of the nightlife scene, home to a great restaurant, and pumping electronic music. They have dorms and private rooms, and some weekly classes and events like yoga. They also feature the only co-working space in Bocas Town.
BOOK SELINA BOCAS TOWN
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The Cheapest Ways to GET TO BOCAS DEL TORO:
For travelers who prioritize savings over comfort, you’ll want to check out the two cheapest ways to get to Bocas del Toro:
- From Panama City: Take the night bus, which costs around $40 including the $6 water taxi from Almirante to Isla Colon. Buses leave hourly from the Albrook Bus Terminal. Taking the night bus will also save you the money from renting a night in a hostel.
- From Boquete: Take the public bus or a private shuttle. Both are cheap, but the public bus is a little cheaper. Just tell the driver on the bus that you are going to Bocas and they will tell you when to get off. Private shuttles can be arranged in the main part of town through Hello Travel Panama.
- From San Jose or Puerto Viejo: Take a taxi or bus to the border, cross the border, and then hop on another taxi or bus to Almirante. People are going on this route all the time so it is easy to find public transportation here. From San Jose this will cost less than $60 and from Puerto Viejo you can make it in $30-$40.
Read our detailed guide about how to get to Bocas del Toro
Selina Red Frog – Isla Bastimentos
Selina Red Frog is tucked away into the rainforest behind Red Frog Beach. They have a swimming pool and outdoor deck area, as well as a trendy restaurant and stylishly designed rooms. They also have a pool table which is often the center of attention.
The hostel features dorm beds, private rooms, and also nicer private-plus jungalows All rooms have A/C. They organize weekly yoga classes on-site and also group activities with their guests. The site also features a co-working space.
BOOK SELINA RED FROG
Check out our Bocas del Toro Beach Guide
Aqua Lounge – Isla Carenero
Aqua Lounge is located on Isla Carenero just across the water from Bocas Town. They are definitely known as a party hostel, with their dancefloor and DJ booth being home to theme parties almost every night of the week.
Their rooms are what you need and not much more, but the real reason you stay here is for their social area, nightly events, and convenient location on Isla Carenero. They feature an in-house surf school, restaurant, bar, and nightclub. They also have paddle boards and kayaks to rent, and they are a great place to watch the sunset with a few cocktails. Cornhole, Beer Pong, and Jenga are also on-site.
BOOK AQUA LOUNGE
Check out our Isla Carenero Travel Guide
Skully’s House – Isla Colón
Skully’s House is the only hostel on Isla Colon that is outside of Bocas Town. It’s located right on the coast in one of the best neighborhoods in Bocas del Toro at about a 10-minute taxi ride outside of town. They have a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, as well as corn hole, axe throwing, ping pong, karaoke, and a small shop selling snacks and essentials. There is also a small beach area although the reef makes it difficult to swim. It is fun to watch people try though!
They have a great location for being able to explore this coastline, and also for surfers to be within walking/ bicycle distance to some of the archipelago’s best waves: Paunch, Tiger Tails, and Bluff Beach. They feature dorms and private rooms. Skully’s is one of the most popular places to stay in this area of the archipelago.
BOOK SKULLY’S HOUSE
Learn more about Surfing in Bocas del Toro
The Best Time To Visit Bocas del Toro
The best time to visit Bocas del Toro is during the high season months from January to March.
These months are typically the driest months of the year, with the best ocean clarity for scuba divers and swell for surfers. This is a busy time of year, so expect more travelers in the hostels and out at night.
For a more relaxed time in the islands but still with good weather, you’ll want to come in September and October. These months can also be very dry and sunny, with super flat ocean conditions and very minimal tourism activity. Empty beaches are the norm during this time of year.
Pineapple House – Isla Colón
Pineapple House is located right next to the airport and features 6 private rooms that are minimally styled. If you’re looking for a relaxed hostel that is more removed from the hustle and bustle, this is a good place for you.
They are non-smoking and no parties are allowed, so you can book here knowing you are getting a quiet place to unwind after a long day of adventuring around Bocas del Toro.
BOOK Pineapple House
Additional Reading: 10 Day Panama Travel Itinerary with Bocas del Toro
Hostal Hansi
Hostel Hansi is a lesser-known hostel in Bocas del Toro, located in the center of town and actually pulling in a great rating of 9 out of 10 on booking.com and being the #1 rated hostel in Bocas Town on Trip Advisor. Although Selina, Bambuda and Aqua Lounge pull the most attention, Hostal Hansi gets the good reviews!
Something to note is that this hostel doesn’t have air conditioning, which is pretty surprising. They do have windows and ceiling fans though. We don’t have air conditioning at our overwater bungalows either, but it is more rare to see a place in Bocas Town without air conditioning. They have private rooms and dorm beds.
BOOK HOSTAL HANSI
Check Out the 13 Most Bucket List Things To Do in Panama
Hostel Bastimentos – Isla Bastimentos
Hostel Bastimentos is one of our favorite places to stay in Old Bank on Isla Bastimentos. It’s an easy place to get stuck in, as the slow pace and carefree way of life in Old Bank is quite intoxicating. Many a traveler have succumbed to it’s grasp!
They feature a variety of rooms from privates to dorms with A/C. No restaurant is on-site, but Old Bank does offer a few good places to eat, and definitely some great local food. The trail to Wizard Beach is nearby, and you can also rent kayaks to explore the bay and surrounding coral reefs. From what we can find, you can’t book online.
These are the Best Hostels in Bocas del Toro
Now that you’ve found the perfect hostel to stay in, you’ll want to check out our other guides on things to do in Bocas, how to get here, when the best time to visit is, and our tips for staying safe in the islands!
Getting from Panama City to Bocas del Toro (Quick Guide)
7 Best Affordable Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean
Bocas del Toro Surfing Guide: Surf Spots, Seasons & Lessons (2024)
Surfing in Panama: Travel Guide & Best Surf Spots
10 Day Panama Itinerary for Bocas del Toro (With Costs)
