Inland Patagonia
Windbreaks help considerably at this lakeshore site 1.5km east of town. Dorms are in windowless cabins, with hot showers available in the evening; whole…
Must-see hotels in South America
Coastal Patagonia
Convenient, sheltered gravel campsites with clean toilets, a store and hot pay showers, down the road behind the gas station. Come early in summer to…
Northern Patagonia
This basic longtime family lodging dishes out whopping breakfasts and the company of Don Niba, guide, storyteller and grandson of pioneers. It is also…
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
Free basic campground, administered by Conaf. At the time of research the campground was closed, and was due to reopen when a water treatment plant can be…
Cuzco
Most rooms in this pint-sized guesthouse are very basic, but location and staff are fabulous and there’s a sociable, stony, indoor courtyard. The two…
Punta Arenas
This quaint, slightly creaky wooden house boasts a sweeping staircase and a leafy breakfast room. Doubles are basic affairs with cable TV; each has a…
Punta Arenas
One of the last diehard backpacker haunts with cheap prices and good vibes to match. Despite the chaos, rooms are reasonably clean and there are kitchen…
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Near the Iglesia de Uquía, Hostal de Uquía is run in a lackluster fashion but has decent rooms decorated with local fabrics. At busy times it does meals…
Concepción
This friendly place – akin to an American motel – contains a long line of comfortable guest rooms with wood paneling and cable TV. It's a short walk to…
Amazonas
Large rooms with air-conditioning off a breezy upstairs patio and corridor. The back rooms have less street noise, and there’s a popular self-serve…
Cuzco
This Peruvian hostel goes for the Spanish-language-school formula, with free lessons, evening events and barbecues. Small dorms have snug down covers but…
Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
The town’s biggest building, this guesthouse is run by the Cobos family of local guides. There's hot water for showers, a rare find in these parts. You…
Cuzco
At the far end of Saphi, where the city starts to peter out, this hotel has a rustic wooden construction with skylights and murals in most rooms. Choose…
Lima
Tiny and rambling, this sardine-can hostel sits in the thick of Barranco nightlife – for better or worse. Highlights include an ambient rooftop deck. It…
Ecuador
This very basic refuge is on the slopes of Guagua Pichincha. You'll need to bring your own food and camping stove to heat it up. From here it's a short,…
Inland Patagonia
Lodgers put on a brave face at Hotel Bajo Caracoles, a roadside inn with old gas heating units that require a watchful eye. It also stocks basic…
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
Basic campground administered by Vertice Patagonia with improved bathrooms, a sheltered cooking area and store; opening dates depend on weather.
Coyhaique
Only 1km from the city, this campground has exceptionally clean and sheltered sites (with roofs), lots of bathrooms and individual sinks, hot showers,…
Bolivia
A block below the plaza, Hotel Akhamani has the highest standards and the widest variety of options, including a four-bed mini-apartment with private…
Inland Patagonia
This big, boxy corner hotel has spacious concrete rooms with decent mattresses, but not much ambience. Most folks shuffle in during the wee hours from…
French Guiana
The dark and rather simple attic-style rooms here all have bathrooms, TVs and fridges, but they're a fairly last resort. The small restaurant downstairs…
Coyhaique
These rustic, well-spaced cabins fill a quiet orchard of apple trees. Two-story cabins have tiled floors, wood stoves and kitchenettes. It's a great deal…
Inland Patagonia
A campground with showers, bathrooms and grills, located in one of the most scenic areas of Parque Nacional Los Alerces. It also has basic domos (yurts).
South Coast
Located a short stroll before the border (and on the same road), the basic Hotel San Martin is good value. Renovations to modernize the lobby were…
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
Basic campground administered by Vertice Patagonia with sheltered cooking area, store and bathrooms. Opening dates depend on weather.
Medellín
A small, homely hostel with comfortable accommodations just a block from Parque Lleras. It's on a busy road – go for the rooms at the rear. Prices include…
Northern Patagonia
A selection of narrow upstairs rooms with single beds and kitchen use. The more recently constructed rooms with bathroom, in an independent area, are…
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
One of the oldest refugios and smallest, with 30 beds, in a stunning setting on the Paine circuit, near Glaciar Dickson.
The Quilotoa Loop
This basic hostel is just north of the plaza, right across from the lake trail. Most of the sparsely furnished and dusty rooms have fireplaces and thick…
Northern Patagonia
A solid bargain option, this annex to a family home has decent doubles and twin rooms, and on-site meal service with generous country-style cooking and…
Bolivia
A small place behind the church, with two simple rooms. If no one is around, ask in the plaza for Doña Teodora Chino, who runs one of the shops and has…
Paraguay
Owned and run by local celebrity, ex-boatman Don Alicci, this is a very basic palm-trunk building with shared bathroom and manual toilet (ie water-bucket…
Puerto Iguazú
A quiet and central option, this home offers simple rooms with clean en-suite bathrooms at a great price. There's a basic guest kitchen and tranquil…
Bolivia
Dorm beds, hot showers, kitchen facilities and a fireplace in a modern building. Reserve ahead, if possible, or you'll have to search the town for the…
Northern Patagonia
Above the general store, this rickety wood home has a cozy atmosphere with soft armchairs and lace-covered tables. Shop around for a room with ventilation.
Northern Patagonia
Five kilometers northwest of the Centro de Visitantes, Camping San Sebastián has sheltered sites and hot showers.
Asunción
Part of a successful chain of South American hostels, this old colonial mansion has air-conditioned dorms, a spacious garden and a refreshing splash pool.
Cañón Del Colca
These scruffy digs are the only option on Madrigal's Plaza de Armas. Rooms are basic but it makes a good base to explore the nearby archaeological sites.
Norte Grande
Behind the modern-looking front is a set of basic rooms, each complete with cable TV. No breakfast is included or available but at least there's wi-fi.
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
A large campground administered by Vertice Patagonia with a sheltered cooking area and hot showers in the evening.
