Nomade Hostal - Hostel

Cockroaches in the hallway, filthy toilets, hair from previous guests left all over the rooms, and stains on the bed linen. The place is seriously run down. Worst place we stayed in Latin America. Don't come here!

There was no space for me in the mixed room with a fan that I’d booked, so the booking had gone wrong. The first private room she offered smelled awful, with fungi in the corners, which seemed too risky for my health. I was moved to another private room with air conditioning, but I wasn't allowed to use it because I’d only paid for a fan in the mixed room. There wasn’t a fan in that room either, and I was almost dying from the heat for two nights. On my third night, she gave me yet another room, this time with a holy fan. I shared it with her 12-year-old daughter. That was the best of the three nights, and I really enjoyed her company. She’s a good girl, and I wish her the best.

Inside, I loved the courtyard shaded by big tamarind trees, with lots of places to sit and hammocks. From the street, though, it looked abandoned, and they were doing construction. Praise be to Rihanna, it wasn’t abandoned after all. There’s no 24-hour service, so let them know when you’ll arrive, or wear bells on your fingers and toes. There were a mosquito or two. What can you do, eat them? Don't be silly. I ate them.

The common area is a lovely, quiet spot in the morning, with birds and squirrels in the trees. Breakfast was delicious and filling, with fresh pineapple juice, and the staff were friendly. The place is simply but warmly done and impeccably clean. Hostal Nomade is in a great neighborhood, near restaurants, with a McDonald's on the corner and a market and pharmacy within two blocks. Yoytec, a great shop for anyone buying electronics in Panama, is just one block away. I'd definitely stay again.