Finding a nice place to sleep on a tight budget can always be a gamble.

In previous travels I’ve ended up in some really crummy lodgings, but I’ve also lucked out and landed at some surprisingly remarkable abodes.

Going into my Panama trip, I had heard talk of this place called The Lost and Found Hostel. I was intrigued by the name, and when I researched it a little bit more, I came to understand that this is a pretty special place. [Check out their cool promotional video which I watched pretrip]

When the public bus dropped me off on the side of the road, I mentally prepared for a 15-minute uphill hike. There is no direct road to Lost and Found, and everything they have up there has painstakingly been carried by hand up a mile-long jungle path. Pretty soon I was out of breath and sweaty, hoisting my carry-on bag over my head as I precariously navigated the rocky path.

When I first arrived at the open-air reception, I was struck by the number of humming birds surrounding me. Lost and Found Hostel is literally in the jungle. The surrounding foliage made me feel like I was on a movie set replete with a monkey soundtrack overlaid during certain parts of the day. The fresh air coming in off of the mountains was a welcome contrast from the intense sun in the San Blas islands. As I marveled at the cooler temperatures, I was handed a fresh glass of cool water, the official welcome gesture of Lost and Found.

The Lost and Found Hostel was built by two Canadian friends in pieces. It’s not simply one large building, but a maze of smaller lodgings that have been parceled together over the course of quite a few years. The trails and secret paths weave together separate dorms and gathering places. The hostel also sports themed drawings on the wall, adding an Indiana Jones feel to it. In fact, there’s a novella that you can read while you’re there, a fictional story that connects to a treasure-style game Lost and Found guests are challenged to attempt.

After I got settled, I decided to go and explore some jungle trails. There was a map painted on the side of the wall at reception, which proved to be tougher to follow than I thought. I ventured out expecting a robust stroll, but I soon realized this was not a walk in the park. The mosquitos joined the party, and the high humidity meant I underestimated the amount of drinking water to bring along. I was too far committed before I realized I was probably rather ill-prepared to venture off alone into the jungle.

Oh, and hiking sticks! My poor knees suffered during this unplanned outing as I slipped and slid down the path. Needless to say, it was an adventure, and I feel like I got the full experience of Lost and Found Hostel’s trails.

During my stay at Lost and Found, there were only a handful of other guests due to reduced traveling because of covid. This was a place that would easily fit more than 100 people! Although I enjoyed the relative solitude, I was sad that other travelers hadn’t rediscovered this gem that makes social distancing an easy feat.

There may not have been a whole lot of people, but there was no shortage of wildlife. I saw a rabid bat fumble his way around while I warily watched from the table. I marveled at some ridiculously large spiders and funny-looking jungle crabs.

And then there was the snake.

A highly venomous reptile happened to meander its way into the bathhouse, making me slightly wary about taking showers or brushing my teeth. (I later found out the snake was a fer-de-lance, the most dangerous snake in Central or South America. Apparently its venom can cause local necrosis which can lead to gangrene. It’s appearance at Lost and Found was highly unusual!)

Besides my animal acquaintances, I met some new friends at Lost and Found Hostel and enjoyed the jungle space. On that first night, I relaxed in a hammock and watched the sun set over Volcán Barú.

It was a joy-filled day.