It’s a bit far from the center of Palomino, so be careful if you go to the center from Monday to Wednesday, the tuktuks and motorbikes are not running after more or less 10pm.

The staff is super friendly and helpful They organise lots of activities during the week They cook delicious meals The private beach is super nice and quiet

Stayed in April 2024

The rooms were very hot! They have fans. But they still get very hot.

Honestly my favourite hostel I've stayed at in my 6 months of travelling. The place is a bit run down, but the atmosphere completely makes up for it. A really relaxing and chilled out place, where its easy to socialise. They have activities each day, that are actually really nice e.g. fire on the beach, mangrove walk, pizza making night. A world away from the 'beer pong' type vibe you might get at some other hostels. It seems to attract really nice people. We loved not having to choose from a menu and had set dinners and lunch (veggie and meat options) each day, that were reasonably priced. Food was either great or good each day. Good mosquito nets over the beds. Clean (but basic) rooms. Great locarion next to the river and a 15/20min walk to the beautiful beach. The sunset from the beach is something else 😍

Stayed in April 2024

YOGA is NOT all the time! I had it for 2 weeks out of 6, and it was the only reason I actually chose this specific hostel :/ If you work online, there is no private space. If you use the one 'office' the workers will come in and out, talking loudly, even while you are on video teaching Uni students! This was my experience from start to fin.They definitely need a private space for Remote Workers!!! Though beautiful, and clean, there is quite a lot of theft, so be sure to lock everything up and don't leave things out. The cleaning ladies are super sweet and nice and they clean so well, and all day!---but some do like to pull items out of your suitcase while your packing up and ask for it to be gifted to them, along with many other items. I also had one ask me outright to give them money. Found this extremely unprofessional and to be honest, uncomfortable. The food is fantastic most times but they do not understand what "Gluten-free" means so if you have Celiac, you will need to prepare your own foods, however with only 2 burners for at times over 40 people in the hostel. Portions need to be regulated, as one order of fries is 7K was equivalent to 1 potato and the next time, I got a full plate. - I ordered the fries because I couldn't have the breakfast they were serving, and yes they still charged me. The volunteers do not get free Breakfast, but all the people staying do, and EVERYONE found this just plain WRONG. The majority of the staff are amazing, but the owner(s) had no concern or apologies over food that went rotten from a broken fridge (6 weeks), stolen items, in fact many of the messages in the group chat regarding these issues were deleted by the staff. No discounts for spoiled food, or missed events/reservations, due to them. The cost to sleep is cheap, but you will get dinged with other charges. BE SURE TO GET A FULLY DETAILED RECEIPT BEFORE PAYING. I requested one, but they never gave it to me.

Loved the hostel, the property is outstanding, and the volunteers work SO hard to update the property! The vibe is amazing, an excellent flow and array of nationalities that come and go, or stay! I have made so many lifelong friends and connections from Jaba Jan! So blessed! Dean the owner cares a lot about sustainability and is incredible at making sure the property is being utilised in a respectful way! He is cool, personable and so funny! The wife is a bit stand-offish, but personable enough to say hello :) Javid, Teb, Jose, Luis, Daniella and Paula were my absolute favorite people!! They never hesitated to help out, and were always genuine and kind, no matter the situation! Thank you so much guys! Love you! It's a few minutes (4 min moto) from the Town of Palomino, but Jaba Jan has a great deal with the moto drivers for only 5mil! (They will get every new tourist for 8-10mil for the first trip tho, so don't be a papaya haha) The rooms are clean and comfortable even in the large dorms :) Being on the Rio San Salvador allows you to buy a rubber tube from the tienda in Palomino for 20mil and you can float down the mangrove right to the beach for a most incredible adventure! The sunrises and sunsets from the ocean lookouts are only a 20 min walk from the Hostel! They have impromptu jungle raves!! Celebrate birthdays! And always know what is happening in Palomino for some late night fun! In Palomino, the Menu el dia at Bendiciones a la Dios is only 10-12mil and caters to Gluten-free! (I may have taught them a thing or two and they embraced it!) Also, ALMA has a spectacular menu close to the beach on the "Gringo Calle" - waffle pizza was RIDICULOUS!! :) The Howler monkeys, the snakes and tarantulas only make this experience authentically Latin American! I stayed 3 weeks, left for 2 and came right back and stayed for another 2 weeks! And will definitely return and recommend to everyone!!

Stayed in February 2024

The Jaba Jan Hotel is located 15 min outside of Palomino (or 30 min walking down the beach) close to the river, and a quiet beach area after a 15 min walk through the beachy forest. You can get all your food there, take yoga classes, play volleyball, or - as most people - just take a break and relax in one of the hammocks.

Stayed in March 2024

The place could use some work the kitchen situation was not so pleasant. Beds were alright but really love the nets over them. Restroom could use some space to place your belongings while you brush your teeth or take a shower.

I enjoyed yoga and salsa class while I was there. I like that their meals were not a fixed menu . As a solo female traveler I appreciated that the hostel would call a moto 🏍️ to pick me up at the hostel so I didn’t have to stand on a lonely road to wait for one. The bus from Santa Marta also drops you off right at the entrance of the hostel conveniently. I enjoyed the type of travelers that come through. Loved the walk to the desembocadura del río San Salvador. Beautiful place with sounds of monkeys and eagles .

Stayed in March 2024

I loved this hostel! I went with a group of friends and it was an amazing experience. The staff are sooo nice and food is so yummy!

Stayed in February 2024

It’s fairly basic, but that adds to the charm.

Amazing place, fabulous location. But most of all, totally extraordinary on a human level - the staff, the volunteers and, not in the least, the fellow travellers: the Jaba Jan family. A very warm gracias to everyone!

Stayed in February 2024

That I couldn’t stay longer

The vibes here were awesome. A whole bunch of travelers from around the world. Great people to connect to. Great beach, river, food and activities. I would highly recommend.

Stayed in January 2024

There’s nothing to not like about it

Everything was perfect! Such a relaxing hostel with a great vibe and incredible staff / volunteers

Stayed in December 2023

Amazing place, if I had more time I would spend there few weeks :)

Stayed in December 2023

The dorms had no privacy and there were no laundry facilities.

Great party vibes. Easy to meet others. The natural setting was amazing.

Stayed in December 2023

Mosquitoes

Lovely group of staff and also amazing breakfast

Stayed in November 2023

Slightly out of town however this was not an issue.

Loved my stay in Jaba jan, it is incredibly good value for money with a delicious breakfast included. It has access to two of the nicer beaches I’ve seen on the north coast and a river you can float down to the beach. All staff are lovely and Deano is a really welcoming host and kind person. Couldn’t rate this hostel more highly! Thank you

Stayed in November 2023

Nature, activities,community.

Stayed in November 2023

My favourite hostel in 5 months of travelling! Very kind staff - super helpful, warm, friendly and welcoming. Great food, lovely common areas, beautiful private beaches. Best value for money - wish I could of stayed longer in this beautiful place. 100% recommend to everyone.

Stayed in November 2023

such an incredible stay here and met the best people ever

Stayed in August 2023

The staff here were incredible and so helpful, I booked for 3 nights and stayed 3 weeks! I loved that it wasn’t in the city, the private beach is nicer than the main beach in palomino, and the river was ideal for a cool down every day. The family dinner of 18k was always delicious and I loved the breakfast too! The hostel is eager to organize any tours you want and also provide cultural activities too (crocheting with ladies from an indigenous group, and a tour of the mangroves)

Stayed in September 2023

Showers are separated by wood slats with big gaps so you can see the person showering in the shower next to you. The dorm gets extremely hot at night even with all the fans going. The hammocks are nice but they should add more for the amount of people who stay there.

Nice staff. Accommodating with food allergies. Nice beaches nearby, it's quite a hike because of the heat. Events for guests, quite social. They have a very basic kitchen, so don't expect much but it's nice they provide it.

Stayed in August 2023

Only had 1 night but managed to fit so much into that which is credit to what is offered here.

Incredibly welcoming and beautiful space. Free morning spanish lessons and incredible local tour of the surroundings with Kai a local indegignous legend. The hostel is a very inclusive and relaxed atmosphere. Thanks Dean, Pedro and team for everything I'll be back when I'm in the North.

Stayed in September 2023

The facility is basic and has exactly what you need. If there is any problem can always approach reception and they will help with anything! Loved my stay there

Amazing river at the facility, amazing beaches a walk away. Great location great atmosphere great people. Loved my stay. Booked one night and stayed for a week

Stayed in August 2023

Our stay at Jaba Jan hostel was a wonderful experience. The staff was very helpful and welcoming, just as the other visitors. The food was great with vegetarian options. The private beach was only 10 min by foot and absolutely stunning, just as the mangrove reserve closeby. We were able to rent a kayak from the hostel to explore the river through the mangroves.

Stayed in August 2023

:-)

I will repeat! Good good vibes. Ideal place to be away from the crowd and the noise, but in a relaxed atmosphere to socialise, surrounded by nature, along the river and just a 20 minute walk from a lonely beach. So that you imagine the calm atmosphere, I'll tell you that some people stay longer and do volunteer work in the kitchen or painting. There's even people who work online and stay here for months. I might do that in the future. You can feel you are part of a cosmopolitan group of friends. It's amazing to watch monkeys from the breakfast table! You aren't isolated, s motorbike can take you to the village anytime for 5.000 pesos. Rooms are well protected with anti-mosquito nets on the open windows and on the beds. Comfortable mattress. Very clean. Strong wifi. Free breakfast (08.00-10.00h). There is a daily dish for lunch or dinner, 13.00-15.00h, 19.00-21.00h with an option to choose: vegetarian (falafel, eggs), fish, chicken, beef that costs 20.000-30.000 pesos, if you book in advance that morning. They're flexible with timing. You can refill water bottles as many times as needed for 5.000 pesos daily.

Stayed in August 2023

Such a nice place to relax for a few days. It's a little bit more alternative, so you stay more in nature, have animals around and just give you more an authentic vibe with friendly, calm people. I felt directly really comfortable with everyone even though we just stayed for one night. We rented a Kanu there and drove through the mangroven forest, discovered monkeys and crabs, made Pizza all together and played karaoke, I joined the free yoga lesson in the morning and we also went for a swim on one of the private beaches there. Would have love to stay longer.

Stayed in July 2023

I did not stay long enough

Delicious place surrounded by nature: river, beach, jungle paths. Beds are comfortable, healthy food and a lot of hammocks makes this hostel one of a kind. The host Dean is a very welcoming and sweet person

Stayed in June 2023