Mamallena Hostel - Panama City - Panama

Hostel Mamallena's new Panama City location.
We're now bigger and better, with more room and still the same great
Mamallena atmosphere. One of the only hostels in Panama City in a large
colonial style house, this is where you will get to experience the real
Panama. Perejil(Close to La Exposicion in the Lonely Planet) was once
one of the most upmarket areas of Panama City, now it's a middle class
neighbourhood with tree lined streets and a peaceful atmosphere.
It's managed to avoid the Americanisation of El Cangrejo and the
poverty and subsequent gentrification of Casco Viejo, but still be
within easy walking distance of the best that Panama City has to offer.
Close by is one of Panama City's main streets with transport options to
everywhere you want to go. A minutes walk will get you to some great
budget eating options, a few more minutes and you'll be in the best
shopping area of Panama City.
Not much further away you'll find all the best tourist attractions in Panama City and the best nightlife in Panama City. Here at the hostel you'll also get all the information you need about going to homestays and sailing in the San Blas. If you want the adventure of sailing to Cartagena then check with us for the next departures.

 
 
How to get here:
BY TAXI:
No matter where you come from a taxi is easiest for your first time.
Tell the taxi driver "Calle Primera, Perejil, en la misma casa de La
Junta Comunal de Calidonia en Perejil de Colegio Javier."
From the International Airport it will cost $20-25, maybe less if you
can share, Domestic Airport $3-$4, and from the bus station it will be
around $2, depending on how many people, more than $2 is OK but not much
more.
We can recommend that you try our trusted taxi driver Rafael. Send
him an email at panamadrivers@yahoo.com and he could probably arrange to
pick you up. He knows exactly where we are and will get you here
safely. We also trust him for any other services you may need around the
city. His phone number is 6724 4695.
For information on arriving to panama by plane, see this WorldHeadquarters.
BY BUS:
The die hard backpackers will probably do it this way,
From the International airport:
Generally only advisable in the daytime. It can take 1-2 hours depending
on traffic and costs 25 cents at this stage. It will go all the way
along Via Espana. To reach the bus, exit the airport terminal and walk
to the right, go round the side of the cafe and walk through the car
park and up to the main road. Cross the road and wait in the bus shelter
for a bus that says 'TOCUMEN-VIA ESPANA' on the front. With your back
to the airport terminal the bus will be traveling to your left. It is
easy but you may have to ask for some local assistance.
Tell the driver you want "Farmacias Arrochas en Perejil". Opposite
Arrocha on Via Espana is GOVIMAR(it's on the corner of a side street).
On the other corner along Via Espana is a Delta gas station. Cross Via
Espana to GOVIMAR and go up the street that it's on. About 50 metres up
on the right handside is a white house, you'll see our signs on the
first floor of this house. Go to the second door and hit the buzzer. Say
hi and come on up.

From the Bus terminal/Domestic airport (Albrook):
Getting to us from Albrook bus terminal(where all buses arrive and
depart) is easy, so long as you know where to get off. Jump on to a bus
that says VIA ESPANA on the front and tell the driver you want to get
off at the 'UNIVERSIDAD LATINA' . From there cross the street and go up
the hill towards Via Espana. Ask if you're unsure. You'll go past the
Pio Pio chicken fast food shop on your right handside. On the next
corner you'll come out at 'Farmacias Aroccha'. This is Via Espana. On
the other sdie of Via Espana you'll see GOVIMAR, cross the street to
GOVIMAR. Go up the side street that GOVIMAR is on, we're about 50 metres
up in a white house on the right handside. You'lls ee your signs on the
first floor. Go to the second door and hit the buzzer. Come on up.
From the domestic airport follow the same directions as above however
first you have to get to the bus terminal which is a $2 taxi ride(same
as to us.......)
From Costa Rica:
Please read this following link for all the information on alternative crossings from Costa Rica.
From Colombia:
3 ways,
1) Take a flight for $170-$220 with AIRES.COM.CO or AEROREPUBLICA.COM or COPAAIR.COM
2) Get in touch withCasa Viena in Cartagena and they can arrange for you to sail here on a 5 day yacht excursion for $350-$375.
3) Take a bus from either Cartagena or Medellin to Turbo, from there you
take a speed boat for 4 hrs to a small coastal village called
Caparguna. maybe spend a night or 2 there and then take the motorized
canoe to Puerto Obaldia and ...............Welcome to Panama!
Once in Obaldia you HAVE to take a 40min flight to Panama City, be
warned though that immigration in Obaldia will most likely NOT let you
enter until they see a ticket out of PANAMA.
This whole trip will cost in the region of $120-$130 (as of oct 2008),
Alternatively we can arrange a yacht to pick you up in Sapzurro,
Colombia (20mins from Carpaguna) and drop you in the San Blas Islands
for $375,
a 4-5 day trip that leaves every 3 weeks or so.