Palapa Hut Hostel & Camping

I stayed here in 2023 and again in June 2025. The first visit was great, largely because Jackie, the owner, was so kind and welcoming. She even decorated our door with birthday balloons. Andrew's girlfriend was sweet too. We had a clean, private room with a bathroom for about $50 a night. It was more like a simple hotel than a typical hostel, and ventilation was limited. The location beside the airport is convenient. My second visit was a very different experience because of Jackie’s son, Andrew. He offered to take us to a fishing spot, but it was the public pier we could have visited ourselves. He then offered to arrange a fishing charter, insisted on collecting the money, and said it would cost $800. The boat fee was actually $700, so I believe he kept the extra $100. He also came on the trip without our consent and damaged something on the boat. When he interrupted our birthday celebration to say we were responsible, the boat owner clarified that the damage was Andrew’s fault. Andrew also insisted on entering fishing-license information for all of us, including himself, on my phone. He wouldn't let me see what he was doing, which made me uncomfortable. I have his contact information and ID, and people dealing with similar issues can reach out to me. I’m not trying to hurt Jackie’s business, but to warn future visitors. Andrew has blocked me on WhatsApp, and he will not refund the extra $100. After we'd paid for the hotel and decided to go to the Hilton, Andrew followed us outside, got angry, and kept trying to start drama. I've since heard from locals that he has a reputation for dishonest behavior and that many people in town avoid working with him. It’s upsetting to think this could damage Jackie’s long-standing business. I was also disappointed by the owner's response, which felt dismissive and didn't take responsibility. Andrew was introduced as a friendly local, not a tour guide, but later demanded money for casual outings and added fees to a fishing trip we'd already tipped him for. The fisherman confirmed that Andrew kept extra cash and does this regularly. We were never told he would charge for anything, and we tipped generously anyway. When we asked if he was showing us around as a friend or guide, he always said friend. The response felt accusatory instead of open to feedback, and left me concerned about transparency at the hostel. It seemed more focused on getting money from tourists than honest hospitality. Andrew Sr., I see you're standing up for your son. He said his hand was bruised from fighting with you. I prefer Cabina’s hostel on the other side of town by the bus station. If you're flying in, you’ll need a taxi to get there. If you're taking the bus, I highly recommend Cabinas across the street. DO NOT STAY HERE.

The staff were so friendly, and the hostel sits right in the forest. We had a great chance to see Scarlet Macaws and Tucans right there. Everything was clean and tidy, and coming back to AC felt amazing. I wouldn't stay anywhere else in Puerto Jiminez.

The grounds are beautiful, full of trees, plants, and wildlife. We saw all kinds of birds, sloths, iguanas, monkeys, and other animals right at the hostel. The night guard was lovely, always searching for them and showing them to guests, and there was a bonfire every night. Our private room was nice and had AC, with regular cleaning offered. The owner is a very nice guy with great stories and useful information. Fantastic hostel, highly recommend if you're staying in town.

I stayed two nights and had a lot of fun. White-faced monkeys spend time in the trees, and there are pleasant grounds to wander around, plus a great kitchen. It's surrounded by woods but still just a short walk from the center of Puerto Jimenez. Guests could rent bikes at much better rates than the shops in town, and the helpful reception staff pointed me to the best route for biking to nearby beaches.