Hostal El Jaguar
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Old Bank 50m East From The Main Plaza, Isla Bastimentos 0101 Panama
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About
#7 of 24 Specialty lodging in Isla Bastimentos
Location
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The Jaguar Hostel is a comfortable, clean and affordable choice for those who want to stay in Bastimentos, at a suitable distance from the noise and movement of the capital of the province, Bocas del Toro, but without ignoring valid options for your holiday such as excellent places to visit, typical restaurants and the most beautiful views of the archipelago. At short distance of the village are some of the best beaches, surfing spots, trails and more attractions that you will discover as your days are spent in the kind attention of our hostel.
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Property amenities
Public wifi
Concierge
Room features
Kitchenette
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Full view
41Car recommended
Grade: 41 out of 100
99Restaurantswithin 5 miles
14Attractionswithin 5 miles
Contact
Old Bank 50m East From The Main Plaza, Isla Bastimentos 0101 Panama
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82Reviews4Q+A8Room tips
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I think other reviewers might live in an altered reality. Our room was really grim with water coming up from the floor boards and noone emptying the crap bin next to the loo. Our neighbours' shared toilet wasn't working and the staff did nothing. Crabs came up thru their floorboards. Litter greeted us floating round entrance, would have taken little effort to have cleaned it up. $45 per night for comfort room (!) Whereas lovely place next door was $33 for equivalent. The owner is lazy. He simply doesn't care. His son is indolent and rude. The shared kitchens have a filthy broken selection of crockery utensils and cutlery and not enough to go round. The lightbulbs weren't working. The chairs were broken. Really not recommended.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We had a great time here. Very nice people attending you. Comfortable beds. Isn't too polish but the ambient is cool. I liked its little pier for taking pictures and I recommend boat services to visit other islands. Don't go with kids, too much water around!
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Date of stay: December 2018Trip type: Traveled with family
Helpful
El Jaguar is a great place, especially if you are travelling on a budget and if you want to experience the authentic feel of Isla Bastimentos on its Old Bank friendly neighbourhood. The Jaguar - the host - is very wellcoming man and allways checked-in with us if we have everything we need and also he seemed very hands on his bussiness always being around, improoving and fixing what needed to be fixed around the place. Staff was also friendly and very helpfull from the beginning to the end of our stay and always with a smile on their faces - especially the locals. There are catalogues by the bar with the restaurants and activities available on the island. Also the room was very clean, there were no buggs, we even had towels, soap and a closet and the air fan did its job so we did not miss not booking a room with AC. Be mindfull there is a water shortage on the island during dry season which means you won’t be able to take long and hot showers at any hour but this does not mean you won’t be able to shower and clean more than properly daily. Water is provided on a schedule - just ask about it and you will be fine! I was very sorry to see such horrible previous reviews of this great place of people who lacked compassion for those for whom water becomes a luxury independently of their will. This is a local bussiness, not a big franchise so I think they are worth all the praise for their great job and their eagerness to always improove. Also good supermarket just out the door and lots of great locally owned restaurants with the yummiest caribean cuisine and hospitality walking distance from El Jaguar. Happy hours daily from 18:00 to 19:30 and a great deck to enjoy the bay! Just keep an open mind, people! …
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Helpful
Based over the waterfront, El Jaguar is a laid back hostel with ideal social area and many hammocks. Had a private double with shared bathroom for $22 a night. Kitchen is well equipped (even has a working oven!! - would benefit from oven gloves). Stayed for 4 nights and would definitely return. Happy hour 6-7 for cheap beers/ drinks and they have kayaks for hire to paddle across bay. Staff friendly and it’s clean also 🙂 Thanks gang x
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Date of stay: May 2018
Helpful
Response from Arnulfo A, Gerente at Hostal El Jaguar
Responded Aug 2, 2018
Hi there! Thank you so much for your kind words. We really appreciated having you stay with us and we are elated that you enjoyed your stay here on Bastimentos. Thanks for the recommendation about the oven gloves, we will definitely have them here before you return for your next visit.
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Maybe the upstairs rooms are comfortable but number 7 on the lower level was decidedly basic, with thin wooden walls and a view only of the next door hostel wall a couple of feet away. Water from the shower runs directly into the Caribbean. I wouldn't like to think what happens to the sewage but I wouldn't recommend a swim off the front platform, inviting though this may look. Number 7 wasn't dirty but not a room I would want to spend much time in. There was a suspicious smell on the wooden walkway leading into the hostel and some of the lighting in the front communal area didn't work. When I reported this, the girl just said she knew about it---end of. Having said that, I found the Brazilian couple who help to run El Jaguar were friendly and helpful but if I go back to Old Bank I would try somewhere else.…
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Date of stay: March 2018Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$22 - $32 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PanamaBocas del Toro ProvinceIsla Bastimentos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Hostal El Jaguar
Which popular attractions are close to Hostal El Jaguar?
Nearby attractions include Red Frog Beach (2.2 miles), Gypsy Travel Panama (2.2 miles), and Up In The Hill (0.6 miles).
What are some restaurants close to Hostal El Jaguar?
Conveniently located restaurants include The View at Oasis, Leaf Eaters Cafe, and Azul Restaurant.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hostal El Jaguar?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.