Reviews of Selina River Venao
Playa Venao Playa Venao, Playa Venao, Panama
#15 of 29 hotels in Playa Venao
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 254 hostel reviews
7.9Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
7.9
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Comfort
7.7
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Location
8.6
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Facilities
7.8
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Staff
8.4
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Value for money
7.7
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Free WiFi
8.4
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Reviewed: 3 July 2025
Charlotte
Netherlands29 reviews2 helpful votes7.0“Good not great”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The showers and toilets are not clean. No hot water. It’s quite dark and damp everywhere.
Lovely decor. Nice staff. Good restaurant.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 11 June 2025
Terry
United Kingdom23 reviews1 helpful vote7.0“Fine for a night if you choose to go to Playa Venao”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Cozy Micro
- • Stayed 3 nights
Prices too high for food and drink, but thats due to all hosts and owners thinking they can get away with that in Playa Venao as its a young persons tourist hotspot. Communal areas were horrible, the toilets gross, the showers all seemed to be broken, the bins always overflowing with stuff as there were no bins anywhere.
Really lovely staff, super helpful and friendly. Lovely breakfast. Really comfortable bed.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 16 May 2025
Kateřina
Czech Republic4 reviews9.0“I felt like in jungle paradise”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Tepee Retreat
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
My door lock was broken and no one came to fix it even if I asked for it
I really like the jungle vibe over there. River Selina is much calmer than Beach Selina so you can actually enjoy the atmosphere. The bungalows are super cute and also swimming pool is amazing. There is a café next to the swimming pool with very friendly staff and they serve matcha so I was very happy there. All facilities were nice and clean, always stocked by soap and toilet paper. Front desk agent was super nice and helpful as well. I can highly recommend this place
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 29 April 2025
David
Israel14 reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Cozy Micro
- • Stayed 12 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The shared bathrooms and showers were dirty and lacking maintenance. The shared kitchen was dirty and missing basic kitchenware. Power outage happened on daily basis which was somewhat annoying.
The breakfast was good and the pool area is nice, the staff was friendly and helpful.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 25 April 2025
Cathelijne
Netherlands1 review8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Cozy Micro
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The bathrooms were very dirty during our whole stay and did not feel like they were getting cleaned. Maybe a bit to expensive for what you get.
Very nice hostel. Good breakfast and nice pool. Very close to the beach and supermarket. Very nice staff and the room was great.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 20 April 2025
Edonays
Panama13 reviews9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Restaurant and the nature around the property
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 12 April 2025
Lian
Panama1 review9.0“Comfortable”- • Leisure trip
- • People with friends
- • Standard Luxe
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The pool was very nice, we stayed in a private room which had amazing AC. Leo and alejandro from the restaurant were amazing!! The curly hair lady had super bad energy which made it awkward to order .
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 3 April 2025
Inês
Portugal39 reviews2 helpful votes8.0“a good choice to stay in Venao”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
the cleaniness could be better specially in the kitchen and rooms, and they were out of towels to rent which is not very good. but overall it is okay and i recommend it
Selina River is quieter than selina playa. I stayed in a private room and it was very confortable. The staff is very friendly and upgrade my room after a mistake
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 18 March 2025
Sáez
Panama9 reviews9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
La piscina y las instalaciones en general
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 2 March 2025
Noam
Israel3 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Tepee Retreat
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Not always warm water in the shower
Loved this hostel. Very relaxed. The pool was great and the restaurant is delicious. Staff were nice and helpful. The room was clean and unexpectedly was cleaned every other day which was nice.
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: 10 February 2025
Yuval
Israel8 reviews8.0Very good- • Business trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Community Room 6
- • Stayed 6 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The rooms were a bit old and not so clean, and there were lots of bugs (cockroaches)... The kitchen was messy and the refrigerators were full and had not worked time to time (there were few power offs)
The staff at the restaurant (bar) and the yoga instructor were amazing! The common areas (the "library", pool, Yoga deck, restaurant/ bar) are beautiful and very relaxing! Looks amazing!
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: 14 January 2025
Tracy
Sweden3 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Cozy little hostel in the forest”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
I wish they had better sunchairs as this hotel is not located on the beach.
Close to everything, very cozy and probably has the best coffee I have ever tasted. Very pleasant hotel staff
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: 14 January 2025
Sarah
United Kingdom54 reviews13 helpful votes8.0“nice place”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Cozy Micro
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
the AC in the room didn’t work that great, even after turning it up the room was still very cold!!
it was in a really good location, the pool was really nice, it was clean and the receptionists were very friendly
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: 12 January 2025
David
Germany70 reviews10 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
It's a pricey hostel if you are a backpacker. Unfortunately during our stay there was no internet access.
The hostel is beautiful in the middle of the nature and the swimming pool is amazing.
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 4 January 2025
Liese
Belgium10 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“We liked it. We enjoyed our stay!”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Luxe
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Pricy
Super beautiful rooms, great AC, cosy place outside your room, helpful staff, nice food but pricy
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: 29 December 2024
Annegrit
Germany10 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Problems with WiFi
Nice little cabins with shared bathroom and I specially liked the pool.
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 27 December 2024
Tadeusz
Poland58 reviews4 helpful votes8.0“Great option for a quiet stay in Playa Venao.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 6 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
I felt the stuff is hermetic. Helpful if required, but not very engaged. However, it wasn’t something made my stay unpleasant.
Quiet place in the walking distance from the beach and a „center” of the village
Stayed in November 2024
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Reviewed: 27 December 2024
Iira
United States13 reviews3 helpful votes7.0“Not well maintained and overpriced but ok”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Apt Studio
- • Stayed 8 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Our room was not well maintained. The bathroom was full off mildew and the roof leaked. At first the room smelled really bad but it got better in two days. The kitchen in our room didn't have necessary plates, cups, spoons, etc. There could be more places to hang out. The food at the onsite restaurant was good but the staff was not the most friendly type. Overall I think it would have been fine for a cheaper hostel. But since we payed over $90/night, the hostel is really overpriced. This is just personal opinion and might be just bad luck, but I didn't like the vibe at the hostel. The good thing was that it was quiet and peaceful. But people there felt unfriendly. Maybe cultural differencies, but I would at least hope to be smiled to if I greet somebody. If I was travelling alone, this wouldn't have been the place to find company easily.
The location is perfect: secluded, safe and close to the beach, not too far from restaurants. Maria at front desk was friendly and helpful and the cleaning staff was wery nice and efficient. The pool is nice.
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 23 December 2024
Esteban
Panama27 reviews2 helpful votes7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Luxe
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
you can only pay at the property and they gonna charge you full rate without any booking discount. They should mention that before. My room has not hot water.
Selena River has good location and you can walk around to go to any place. The place is amazing natural feeling and the pool It’s awesome. They have activities every day so you can keep your mind busy
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 22 December 2024
אוראל
Israel7 reviews8.0“Beautiful chill and cozy place.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 7 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The water was somewhat not hot for a longer than 2 min.
The room was clean comfortable and the staff were very nice and friendly.
Stayed in December 2024
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Reviewed: 24 October 2024
Tom
Israel9 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Cute place, too pricey but overall good”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
A bit far from the supermarket and the restaurants area and the place where the beginner surfers can surf - which is almost non issue because it’s just 5-10 minutes of walking, but I’ve been there in a rainy period so it affected my experience there. But even with the rain it was not too bad.
Good shower (with hot water), place to charge near each bed, nice pool, beautifully designed, usually quiet.
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 26 September 2024
Mathew
Israel21 reviews2 helpful votes9.0“Selina minus the party. Good if you want a more quiet stay. If you want the young vibe go to the playa.”- • Leisure trip
- • People with friends
- • Tepee Retreat
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The bathrooms were not the cleanest. Plus I liked the Selina playa better.
Nice room. Nice pool and work area. Good if you look for something more quiet.
Stayed in August 2024
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Reviewed: 23 August 2024
Emuna
Israel8 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“Perfect getaway”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
It’s 5 min walking from the main area and it has a lot of mosquitoes because of the woods
Great pool, restaurants and staff
Stayed in August 2024
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Reviewed: 9 August 2024
Robin
Netherlands108 reviews14 helpful votes7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Simple Tepee
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
We were given one of the few rooms with an old fashioned in wall AC, which kept us up all night with its annoying loud zooming noise. Upon request we luckily received a new room the next day. Sadly we were never able to actually use the pool in our 2 night stay. There was maintenance and the staff kept on saying it would be ready within x time, but in the end it was never ready!
The staff was friendly and receptive for our feedback. The (extra paid) breakfast is delicious!
Stayed in August 2024
