Pipa Loca Bay Hostel, Bocas del Toro

8.4
4 Reviews

Sadly, this hostel has closed.

On the bright side, there are more hostels in Bocas del Toro...

Compare Hostel Prices for Bocas del Toro

How to book...

your hostels in Bocas del Toro

Hostelworld

Check directly alternative Hostels with Hostelworld.com.

How is Pipa Loca Bay Hostel rated?

Pipa Loca Bay Hostel Reviews

Pipa Loca Bay Hostel is a small hostel over the water in the Bocas town area called Saigon. It has a very comfy vibe about it, and staying here feels more like rooming with friends than a typical hostel. And as an added bonus, both a large, friendly dog and a cat are roaming the property. As of the time of our visit, this hostel is still a work in progress. Although it has a great common room/kitchen/terrace, it lacks a bit in other amenities.

The Location

The hostel is located in a residential neighbourhood about fifteen minutes' walking distance from downtown Bocas (where you first arrive with the water taxi from Almirante). You can take an inexpensive yellow taxi to get back and forth from downtown. The neighbourhood is safe for walking and there is a supermarket close by. The entrance to the property is through a large metal gate, which does not get locked.

Rooms and Bathrooms

There are two private rooms as well as one dorm. The dorm room is very small, with four bunk beds; it has no air conditioning and there are just two small fans, which are not very helpful with keeping the air moving. The wooden bunks are sturdy, but there are different kinds of mattresses on the top and bottom bunks. While the bottom bunks have typical, comfy mattresses, the top bunks have mostly very thin (ten-centimeter) foam mattresses, through which you can easily feel every single slat of the bed frame, which makes for very uncomfortable sleeping. The hostel is apparently in the process of replacing these thin mattresses. The bottom bunks are roomy enough to sit up without trouble.

There are some hooks for clothes, but not a lot of floor space for luggage. The beds do not have individual lights or electrical sockets, although there are some sockets in the dorm. Bug repellent is recommended, as there are some mosquitoes around. The dorm is not locked, and lockers (bring a padlock) are available in the common area.

Wi-Fi works ok throughout the common areas and dorm, but could be faster and it cuts out every now and then. There is one indoor bathroom (with warm shower and toilet) available for the dorm as well as an outdoor bathroom (with separate cold shower and toilet). The indoor bathroom could use some work, as the wash basin is leaking onto the floor and the shower is very rusty. The water pressure is good but the waste water of the shower discharges directly into the bay.

Common Spaces

There is one large common area opening up onto a deck/terrace with a small dock. A small book exchange, a TV, board games, and info about local activities are here. The kitchen is well stocked with utensils, and there are hammocks, couches, and a table around. The deck offers a gorgeous view over the bay (although there is some trash floating on the surface), and there is a small coral garden close by for snorkeling. The water is crystal clear and less than hip deep from the dock, and sea life is visible from the deck.

Summary

Pipa Loca Bay Hostel is a good option for a cheap and comfy stay in Bocas, at least if you mange to avoid the super thin mattresses on the top bunks of the dorm.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Entrance to the hostel is through the metal gate on the right side of the white sign.
Hostel reception
The hostel building over the water.
Common area with lockers.
Kitchen
Terrace
8-bed dorm
Private double with ensuite bathroom
Bathroom for the dorm
Outside bathroom
#
CarinaWandering
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Oct 28, 2019

Location and Contact

Location

When you arrive to Bocas Town, jump in a cheap cheap taxi. With your luggage, $1 per person, 2 minute ride. Or walk 15 minutes from the center of town straight down Calle G until it ends in Saigon Adentro at Saigon Bay. We are at the end of Calle G past Tonys Supermarket on the left right on the water. We are located in Saigon Adentro. That means that you will be staying in the center of the small area known as Saigon. Calle G is the main drag of Bocas Town and we are at the end of it past Tony's Supermarket. Taxis will drop off directly in front of our main gate. Enter through green gate on the left. No need to search farther for the best time on your entire journey!

Facilities and Amenities

Bedsheets

Parking

Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons

Bike Rental

Lockers in Lobby

Luggage Storage

Towels

Air Conditioning

Board Games

Credit Card Payments

Hot Showers

Laundry

Lounge Area

Wheelchair Accessible

Pet-Friendly

Curfew: No Curfew

Similar places you might like

Sadly, this hostel has closed.

On the bright side, there are more hostels in Bocas del Toro...

Compare Hostel Prices for Bocas del Toro

Unlock your Hostel Account to Freedom!

Unlock your Hostel Account to Freedom!

Sign up with Hostelz.com and get access to exclusive hostel content and much more.

Do you already have an account? Login
Home Pluz
Comparizon
Login