Chairman in Chile
Hi folks. As a hostel owner in Scotland and currently helping to manage, develop and improve marketing and quality of our independent hostel members, hello from Chile. Sue and I are on a backpacking holiday in Chile and Argentina, so I thought it would be good to share our experience of traveling as backpackers in South America. Don't forget to support Scottish Independent Hostels when you visit Scotland
Today we are staying in La Serena at Hostel Maria Casa This is a very cosy and well run place and very close to the bus terminal, a must for travellers. Free Internet and a lovely small garden at the back and well kept and clean. Don't be put of by the simple street frontage, enter and you will not be disappointed. The owner 'Pancho' is a local cobbler and extremely friendly. Some English is spoken, but as usual throughout South America, try and learn Spanish before you arrive.
The back patio at Hostal Maria Casa in La Serena
We arrived in Chile via Santiago a week ago. Our first Hostel was a place called La Chimba Once again, clean and tidy and they speak English. Free Internet, breakfast included and they arranged our airport transfer for us online through the company Transvip MiniBus: $ 4.700 They have a booking desk immediately outside of baggage pick up.
La Chimba Hostel has a lay-back feel to it, with friendly and helpful staff. The city is laid out on low lying plains beneath surrounding mountains. A good viewpoint is the hill just at the back of the hostel. This can be accessed on foot or by funicular railway.
View from the hill above the hostel. Cerro San Cristobel is a must visit summit, for a little exercise and also a wide vista of the sprawling mass of Santiago. We walked up and took the funicular down.
Downtown in the park. Be careful to watch your bags and pick-pockets. Thanks to all the locals who warned us about this. We do look like tourists and as such are vulnerable to being 'mugged'. The metro (underground) is the best place to have your pockets picked. We were also warned against going out after dark, as gangs can hold you up at knife-point and take all of your cash and belongings. Not unlike many other global locations really. We have already heard stories from fellow travellers, who have lost cameras and bags from opportunist 'muggers'.
Today we are staying in La Serena at Hostel Maria Casa This is a very cosy and well run place and very close to the bus terminal, a must for travellers. Free Internet and a lovely small garden at the back and well kept and clean. Don't be put of by the simple street frontage, enter and you will not be disappointed. The owner 'Pancho' is a local cobbler and extremely friendly. Some English is spoken, but as usual throughout South America, try and learn Spanish before you arrive.
The back patio at Hostal Maria Casa in La Serena
We arrived in Chile via Santiago a week ago. Our first Hostel was a place called La Chimba Once again, clean and tidy and they speak English. Free Internet, breakfast included and they arranged our airport transfer for us online through the company Transvip MiniBus: $ 4.700 They have a booking desk immediately outside of baggage pick up.
La Chimba Hostel has a lay-back feel to it, with friendly and helpful staff. The city is laid out on low lying plains beneath surrounding mountains. A good viewpoint is the hill just at the back of the hostel. This can be accessed on foot or by funicular railway.
View from the hill above the hostel. Cerro San Cristobel is a must visit summit, for a little exercise and also a wide vista of the sprawling mass of Santiago. We walked up and took the funicular down.
Downtown in the park. Be careful to watch your bags and pick-pockets. Thanks to all the locals who warned us about this. We do look like tourists and as such are vulnerable to being 'mugged'. The metro (underground) is the best place to have your pockets picked. We were also warned against going out after dark, as gangs can hold you up at knife-point and take all of your cash and belongings. Not unlike many other global locations really. We have already heard stories from fellow travellers, who have lost cameras and bags from opportunist 'muggers'.
2 Comments:
If you get down to Puerto Natales (gateway to Torres del Paine), I would recommend staying at Casa Teresa - lovely people who will kit you out with everything you need for an 8 day camping trip even if you arrive at 10pm unannounced the night before. All the best, Alex Hofmann
Thanks Alex,
We will certainly follow up your good advice.
Alan Kimber
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