Lost and Found Hostel in Distrito de Gualaca

It’s hard for me to describe my time at Lost and Found as it was just so incredible. It is truly a hidden gem. Surrounded by jaw dropping views of the mountains and valle Hornito, in the midst of the cloud forest - this hostel exceeded my expectations. You will see more animals here than anywhere else in Panama. I loved waking up to dozens of vibrant humming birds surrounding the breakfast table each morning. The adorable capuchin monkeys, mischievous cacomistles and of course their beloved rescued Kinkajou named Rocky were some of my favorites! With an abundance of hiking trails and access to stunning waterfalls, along with local horse back riding and coffee tours - there is always something to explore during the day. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The accommodations were comfortable, and eating dinner together with all the guests and staff creates such a welcoming environment. If you love nature, secluded areas and hiking (there is a hike to get up hereyou will fall in love with this place as much as I have. You cannot miss Lost and Found on your next trip to Panama!

Empty hiking trails, monkey sightings, swimming holes, hidden waterfalls - this place is truly incredible. I have met all kinds of people here including outdoor enthusiasts, backpackers, photographers, researchers, and people looking to party on their way to Bocas. It has something for everyone - whether your ideal day involves a good book and some yoga or an adventure in the jungle. Despite its remote location, it has wifi, hot showers, great food (including vegan options), and cheap drinks! This place is definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.

My stay at the Lost and Found Hostel has been nothing short of amazing. The longer you stay, the more it really grows on you. The staff was welcoming, the views are incredible, the meals relatively cheap and incredibly filling (dinners my favorite). It is a bit of a hike from the road up to the hostel, but its well worth it for the view at the main level. When the clouds clear you can see from the volcano all the way to Costa Rica. The best part in my opinion is all the wildlife... monkeys, hummingbirds, cacomistles and butterflies to name a few! Theres plenty to do in the area to keep you busy when youre feeling adventurous, but its a great place to just unplug and relax, as well as socializing with all the other travelers. This is a great place to spend a few days as you travel through Panama, this hostel really has it all. I definitely would reconsider staying here of youre not interested in immersing yourself in nature, wildlife, exploring, hiking or staying in the jungle.

Loved it here, very very reasonable prices, an amazing location. Owner was great and really nice, definitely recommend doing one or another of the activities, definitely add this to the list of must visit places in Panama.

This hostel is amazing, the vegan food is grate and the male recepcionist is so helpfull and he always treat everybody like a family, I will come back for sure.

I can recomend this place for 1-2 night stay. Do some hikes in jungle & visit local waterfall and canyon in nearby village. If you like alcohol & drinking games you will enjoy the nights.

Great hostel and a really unique experience! It’s nestled in the mountains with a beautiful view of Baru and and the surrounding jungle. Nightly meals are served at a big communal table and do not disappoint. The cook, Katea, does an amazing job making creative and delicious Panamanian inspired vegan food.

This is a great jungle get away if you have been staying in Bocas or Panama City.The building is situated in the jungle and a 20-30 minute hike gets you there after being dropped on a road in what looks like the middle of know where.They offer different tours, hikes, and even a treasure hunt. There isn’t much else to do, as it is very far out from any towns or villages.Be prepared, the fridges didn’t work and the stoves were very poor, making it hard to cook. Getting the food to cook is even harder.If you don’t like big spiders, Moths and Beatles. Maybe reconsider.

This hostel really doesnt deserve the hype or reputation it has. Its mostly a mediocre hostel in the middle of the mountains - not bad at all, but not anywhere close to legendary.The vibe totally depends on the staff/volunteers and visitors, and it is often lacking (as it was during my visit, and Ive heard similar from others recently).The food is borderline terrible, and theres not much of it. Almost every single person, was hungry after every meal, men and women. $5 seems like a good price for dinner but if the food doesnt taste good and youre still hungry, its not much of a bargain. You also pay $5 for a bowl of oatmeal OR two pancakes in the morning (coffee is extra!).There are lots of outdoor activities. I would say you could find better versions of almost all of them in the region, but you can do some hiking, see a waterfall or a canyon, etc. If youve traveled in other parts of Central America, theres not likely to be anything here you find particularly exciting.There are great views from the hostel and its a relaxing enough place if you choose to just hang out there during your days/nights. There were no major problems, so again, its not a bad hostel. But if I had to do it over again, I would not choose to come here. It just wasnt worth the time, effort, or expense.

The Highlight of my three weeks in Panama was staying at the Lost and Found Hostel. As someone who was looking to get away from highly urban settings, the lost and found hostel was the perfect place for me to get into nature and really relax. The hiking trails to the river were absolute blast to hike in and explore. The Hostel has everything you need, they provide breakfast lunch and dinner at a reasonable cost. There’s plenty of hammocks, benches, observation decks and other spaces to hangout in. They even have a wee bar where they host drinking games. Some of the dorms here are triple bunks- not ideal if you’re afraid of heights and on the top bunk, but certainly a fun experience. I’d recommend three or four nights staying here (I wish I’d stayed longer). Remember to bring cash!

Have to admit I was a bit disappointed; everything is a bit run down and dirty, there were many water stains in our room and it was dripping a bit from the ceiling. They offer food for 5€ per meal; the breakfast was nice but the dinner doesnt seem worth the price.The hiking trail behind the hostel is quite nice but not overly long. We hiked everything in one day and luckily had a car to go to Boquete the second day! The hike up is less tough than I thought, its just a quick uphill walk (took us 10-15 mins). There are equally nice trails and more variety in Boquete and hostels there are a bit cheaper and there is more selection. Would recommend only a short stay here. Its still a pretty nice place to relax and unwind in the hammock and watch the hummingbirds!The people are very friendly and its easy to make new acquaintances. Generally, the planning is quite nice, its so green and lush and all the houses are scattered around in the jungle at the side of the mountain. Unfortunately on our second day it started raining and never stopped. This hostel is not made for extensive rain as the rooms are not nice enough to stay inside and its getting a bit too cold outside (due to the altitude). Luckily they sell rum to keep you warm😁

Beautiful location and very nice people, however the building was a little bit old and the facilities were dirty. Unfortunately, it was windy and very cold during our stay and the bedding wasnt warm enough and you could hear everything with the wind noise so we could not rest as much as we wanted to. The food is all vegan which we are happy with, however the portions were not that big, and the food overall was just meh for 5 dollars. Another down thing was that you will need to do a trekking in the middle of the night if u wanna go to the toilet. Overall, the location is amazing and the views are incredible, so the people, however I believe they need to improve their facilities.

Nice place to stay! People are friendly and you easily meet other people! Good meals for a fair price. Hikes in the jungle are cool!!

Really a special place! Super social, great view, nice hikes! Only con is that no outside alcohol is allowed. So prepare for a fairly high bill if want to party.

The hostel is absolutely amazing with an unbelievable view of the mountains and the volcano. Hummingbirds, monkeys and a bunch of other exotic animals everywhere. They have really great tours such as a horse tour with the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen, as well as a really interesting coffee tour. The hostel is surrounded by hiking trails and there is a really nice canyon just 20 min by bus away filled with locals. A great place to relax and enjoy the nature or head up to the bar at night for a really good time filled with all sorts of games!!! Really recommend this place!!

This is the coolest, most unique hostel that I have ever been to. A treasure hunt through the jungle, an incredible view and tons of hiking trails, a horseback riding tour thats authentic and (dare I saymagical, and a bar! If you like nature and having fun with other travelers, this is an awesome spot. Oh, and the staff is super cool as well. Nothing bad to say here.

This hostel is absolutely spectacular! The owner Andrew was super awesome in giving me all of the information I needed in order to figure out how to get here, which made my life way easier. As soon as I got dropped off by the local bus, I started to make my way up the hill and already began to feel a sense of adventure. The signs posted along the hike up the hostel really made me excited about what was to come. As soon as I arrived, the amazing staff greeted me with warm smiles and some coffee, which was absolutely fantastic and much needed after a long few days of traveling. All of the staff around are extremely kind, attentive, laidback, and just wonderful people to talk to. I could not have asked for a better place to stay while I was exploring the Chiriqui province of Panama. Thank you for such a great adventure!

What a unique stay right in the jungle. There is a guest kitchen but I would completely recommend paying a small price of $5 for the delicious evening meal. The pancakes for breakfast are so tasty and filling too! It’s slightly colder up here but there’s ponchos and blankets available so don’t let that put you off!! During your stay here you should definitely venture into the local town Gualaca and swim in the canyon. Or go see the Celestine Waterfall. The volunteers are so welcoming and will be sure to join you on adventures and show you the coolest secret spots nearby. There’s plenty of hikes from the hostel itself where you can see lots of amazing animals. On my first morning I woke up to monkeys jumping in the trees, and in the evening a cacomistle ventured down into the main social area. The bar opened up most evenings with beer pong, table football and lots of other games. Certainly always a fun crowd here ready to party. But if that isn’t for you, you can easily chill and relax in the hammocks overlooking the jungle. You should definitely allow time for a couple of nights here to really enjoy the place. But if not, one is still enough to take in the breathtaking view.

Highland hostel like no other.A secluded hostel a short hike from the main road. Beautiful view. Lots of hammocks to relax in and a good selection of activities (hikes, excursions etc.)Theres also a little bar if your up for grabbing a few beers in the evening.All in all a good place to stop for a few days if your going to either Bocas or David ☀️

Great hostel with a really relaxed vibeStrong wifiHot showersClean bathroomsFriendly helpful staffDrinkable tap waterLovely hammocksFun and friendly volunteersLovely pancakes courtesy of OwenCons:Kitchen closed to guests and no options for breakfast lunch dinner - you order it and see what you get! So many guests thought this decision just didn’t make sense. Backpackers need a kitchen! It would be a different thing if there were plenty of food options nearby or the hostel had its own restaurant/cafe. But as the hostel is very remote you are stuck with prescribed eating times and whatever’s on the menu that day.Tips:Bring lots of food!Canyon 20 min bus ride is a lovely day outBring layers, it gets cold at nightHiking shoes are ideal for the trailsCash onlySuggestions for management:Please open the kitchen, we would stay longer!Hire a chef! It’s unfair on volunteers to cook for 20 + people. The whole hostel unanimously agrees the food situation needs to be improved and many reviews mention this$5 for mash potato for dinner or a large bowl of white rice with bean paste - this just isn’t acceptable! We went to bed hungry!In the dorm pods a curtain is needed for privacy. A small lamp and shelf or hooks would be ideal and this would be more in keeping with other hostel set upsOverall:Unique and beautiful stay that just misses the food elementWe stayed for 4 days2 in dorms and 2 in privatesLoved it! Felt really relaxingManagement need to open up the kitchen really.Thanks Clare Nisha Tom and Owen for making our stay comfortable - you were all super attentive and friendly and made us welcome 🙏

My stay at the Lost & Found hostel was absolutely amazing! The hike up is about 15 minutes but then you are welcomed by a fantastic view and cold drinks at the top. The food was delicious and costs only $5 per meal. The staff were extremely welcoming and the volunteers made the stay fun by organizing events and drinking games for everyone. I would definitely recommend Lost & Found to anyone travelling in Panama, a must see!

This hostel is absolutely beautiful.The view over the mountains is just amazing and the temperature is just perfect up here. Everywhere are hammocks to relax and hummingbirds are flying around. When you are lucky you can see monkeys right next to you in the trees. There are some hike and swimming opportunities as well. The people are so nice and I loved staying here!:)

The most magical hostel in all of Panama!🌄Anyone planning on traveling in Central America would definitely be missing out if they didn’t stop by the Lost and Found! Lots of cool stuff to explore in the area, you could easily spend a week or more here! Especially if you’re into hiking, this is definitely the perfect place to do that!🤩An amazing hostel with breathtakingly beautiful surroundings, great service and overall just really cool vibes wether you’re here to chill, explore or to meet new awesome people, this place has got it all! Will definitely be back!🌞💛

This hostel is absolutely amazing, out in the wild with the greatest vibes and unforgettable wives all way around.the staff are friendly, helpful, full of local knowledge and go the extra mile for you.This is a perfect spot, and there is room for everyone and anything, the environment is so open that you can do anything from meditation - hiking - yoga but also have a blast in the jungle lounge with other lovely travelers.Definitely worth visiting, no regrets and couldn’t miss out on this place.Ps. Bonus info - there is hot showers 😚

Lost and found hostel is located in the middle of the jungle. Waking up to the singing of the birds with this beyond beautiful view is simply magical. The people here make you feel right at home and it’s a place where you can come and simply relax.

Awesome area, nice hikes. The treasure hunt is overrated, as you just walk to all of the nice places thats it.The hostel is not very clean, no kitchen (only for the volunteers and stuff so they can charge you for food).The food you have to buy there (as there is no kitchenis freaking expensive for what you get. Porridge and a few bananaslices for 5 dollar! And the coffee is 1,5 dollar extra.And for everything else they charge extra as well.The volunteers are a group for themselves. At our stay were more volunteers than guests. They had a party for themselves in the kitchen (which we were not allowed to enterand made cocktails. We just sat there and had to watch. They have been very loud the whole night in front of the dorm.Inconsiderate. Just trying to make money. The area is nice, the hostel sucks.

The lost and found hostel is a place like no other. The jungle surroundings and picturesque views along side the friendly fun loving staff make for an amazing experience. Opportunitys such as horseback riding, coffee tour and hiking gives you the chance to emerse your self to the way of life in the Panamanian jungle. What a hidden gem!

Lost and Found hostel is such an amazing Place! The view over the Mountains and rainforest all the way to a volcano is breathtaking. You instantly feel like part of a family with all the amazing workers and guests! This place is a must visit when you are traveling panama to chill in the middle of the rainforest for some time, chat a little bit with interesting people and maybe even have a small party in their bar. Definitely a 5/5 for me!

From awe-inspiring waterfalls to horseback journeys through the hills of Panama, this place has it all. Not to mention the wide variety of animals on display daily! Dont forget the view at reception every morning either, simply stunning! Andrew has done something special

The Lost and Found hostel is a great place to relax and unwind. Very friendly staff. My favorite thing to do here is to sit in the hammocks and look up the stars, and watch the lightning!

My stay at the Lost and Found was an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed the solitude I was able to feel here as well as the comfort of being with nature in a level I have never experienced. The staff is wonderful, the trails are stellar, and you are sure to find joy in this piece of paradise, whatever may interest you.

I stayed at the Lost & Found hostel during May 2021. It was the perfect place to relax and wind down in the midst of Panama’s cloud forests. The mysterious and magical atmosphere is perfect to practice yoga and meditation. But if you are more into partying, there’s also a bar far away from the dorms with beer pong, jenga and table soccer. I had a lot of fun here and especially enjoyed the fresh air and climate up here compared to the heat in the rest of the country.

The Lost and Found hostel is a must see if you’re in Panama. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the staff is very welcoming and friendly. The views make for the most amazing reading spots and breathtaking sunsets. I highly recommend!!!!!

Locations and views cannot be beat. A truly original hostel in the cloud that attracts plenty of lovely young travelers! There is plenty to do at the hostel (like yoga classesand in the surrounding areas (river canyons, hikes, etc.). The owner has really created a warm, welcoming vibe for everyone who arrives. If your in Panama, definitely check it out!

Lost and found is an incredibly welcoming place. The staff will treat you like they’ve known you for years and you will very easily and quickly love the place. There are private rooms and hot showers. Tons of hiking ground and an amazing view of the cloud forest.

Such an awesome and unique hostel experience. Terrific place to come to meet new people, relax for a bit, or take a hike. The surroundings are breathtaking and the vibes are immaculate. Definitely will be returning in the near future.

What an amazing experience. All of my expectations have far been succeeded! With With Lost and Found’s picturesque views and vibrant atmosphere, it’s easy to fall in love with the place within days. Immerse your self in the unique culture of this hostel: hang around with people from all over the world, practice a new language, learn to cook a new meal with friends, explore the hiking trails, go swim in the river canyon, etc. Highly recommend if your looking for a sweet little escape.

Great Hostel! In the middle of the jungle with amazing hikes, but you still have the comfort of a hot shower and a comfy bed!And a lot of other activities right at the hostel.Would definitely recommend!

Lost and Found is an excellent hostel to stay at. Right in the cloud forest away from the road, it is perfect to take a break from the everyday. There are trails going deep into the forest that lead to beautiful views, giant trees, waterfalls, caves and a river with loads of nice spots along the bank. The food is delicious and there is a great atmosphere for. The wifi is good, there are plenty of private hammock spots to chill out and the games room has loads to do. Would highly recommend.

When first arriving at the hostel you are greeted with a warm and comfortable welcome from the host and staff. The location and views from the hostel are breathtaking as well as the wildlife that surrounds you. Although the location is fairly rural, you can still enjoy the everyday aspects of home too like good food, cosy beds and plenty of fun nights at the bar with other guests. The hostel also offers some awesome days out into the wilderness that are not too far away. I hugely recommend staying at The Lost and Found!

Such a beautiful place. It’s in the middle of the jungle, so you get to see all crazy kinds of insects and other animals, such as monkeys and hummingbirds! If you’re staying here, make sure to visit Rocky the kinkajou or to see Snickers, the mouse opossum. Nice place to chill and meet new people and go on a hike. Super friendly and helpful staff. I definitely recommend staying here!

My stay here was great. The hike was short but steep and we were greeted with friendly owners as well as staff. The food was sooo good especially after long days of traveling/ exploring, hiking. They have a nice bar you can socialize at night with other backpackers/adventurers, and locals. Really cheap for the tremendous quality, great view, activities , and wonderful staffing. Would highly recommend! And the area is really stunning. The two night minimum is a good thing and you may find yourself wishing you booked more, as we did.

I have had an amazing stay at Lost and Found. The hostel has a beautiful secluded location and an amazing atmosphere. The staff is welcoming and especially during these trying times, flexible and ready to help. I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for beautiful views, good company and great location.

The Lost and Found hostel is located in one of the most beautiful locations I have ever been to!! The first morning I woke up to an incredible full rainbow- I’d never seen anything like it. When deciding to come, Andrew (hostel ownerwas very communicative and accommodating to our needs. We slept in these massive full size bunk beds! Overall, if you want to feel like you’ve entered a new world for a short while, be surrounded by the friendliest people, and learn about yourself, you should definitely stay at this hostel!

I am so happy I decided to come here with my friends on a whim. The hostel is situated in one of the most beautiful and luscious jungles Ive ever seen. My friends and I have only been here for a couple days and we feel so immersed in the environment as youre surrounded by waterfalls, hiking trails and river canyons. The owners and staff are extremely kind and accommodating and you feel like youre friends with everyone upon arrival. Highly recommend staying here for youre next trek through Panama:)

Lost and found was such a unique and beautiful experience for me. The hostel is clean and in a beautiful location. The staff is great and the overall stay was amazing! So much to do around the hostel with beautiful views and nature surrounding it!

The Lost and Found is a unique gem that if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon you will not be disappointed. The owners are super friendly and knowledgeable of Panama. Lots of nature to be explored and appreciated. Looking forward to my next visit!

Really good hostel and special with the location on the mountain with the view on volcano Baru. Lots of hammocks, Dorms are fine, they offer good tours, also 2 free treasure hunts. Staff and the bar is great. Kitchen equipment could be a little better.

So basically, I went there to spend Xmas eve. What I found was a group of amazing people and a lovely staff! The atmosphere is a cool travelers vibe. People was easygoing and I had a great time sharing multicultural experiences.I stayed in a dorm, which was nice. Food was great. What I love the most is the amazing hike you can do in a Natural Reserve called Fortuna. Also the hostel has many tours that you can book!Definitely a place I want to visit again!

The lost&found is definitely a very special place to stay. Its much more than a hostel, its absolutely a unique experience, beginning with the stay in the middle of the jungle to scavenger hunts through the surrounding forest. The views over the valley from the hostel are great, there was a really cool atmosphere with the staff (super friendly and helpful!and the other guests. Everything was clean, the kitchen was well equipped, comfortable dorm beds. The prices in their bar and for the food they prepare are fair.