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Landhaus in Samaipata, Bolivia

Samaipata is the name of a small town about three hours east of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It is a famous weekend destination for Cruzarians because of its tranquility and lovely climate. The world heritage site Fuerte de Samaipata is very close and Samaipata is one of the gates for the Parque Nacional Amboró.

One of the best options for staying in Samaipata is called Landhaus. Situated at the quiet edge of town, it is only a six minute walk from the city center. There are several bungalows and a huge and beautiful garden with a fantastic pool area. The hostel has a wide variety of accommodations, from small rooms with private bathroom for a single person or couple (on a tight budget), to a luxury house for up to eight people including a terrace with a fantastic view and a great kitchen. Some options have open fire places. The resort-like complex even has a cozy sauna to relax in after a long day trekking.

For 30 years the Landhaus has been run by a incredible friendly German couple. After a long period of traveling they fell in love with Samaipata and created their own little paradise. Both are artists. Helga has her own painting studio and Georg loves to experiment with metal or wood. Thus, most of the beautiful decoration is handmade by the owners and also for sale.

Furthermore, on weekends and public holidays, Helga runs a unique café with vegetarian snacks, cookies, pies and tea. The breakfast offering is far away from what you usually get in South America. This breakfast has homemade German-style whole-bread and jam, as well as homemade ham and sausage. It makes a perfect start for your lovely day.

Services:

- Secure parking place
- Childrens’ playground
- Sun terrace
- Swimming-pool
- BBQ-facilities
- Sauna
- Towels
- Kitchen in some bungalows
- Café (on weekends and public holidays)
- Breakfast
- German book exchange
- Artesania

Adress: Landhaus, Calle Murillo, Samaipata, Santa Cruz, Bolivien

Phone: +591-3-944 6033

Email: landhaus@cotas.com.bo

Website (spanish/english/german/dutch): http://samaipata-landhaus.com/

Prices: please contact Georg or Helga directly

: Bungalows from outside

: more Bungalows from outsinde

: beautiful, huge garden

: breakfast in the sun and one of the BBQ areas

: bedroom

: sauna

: fireplace in one of the bungalows

: kitchen in the luxary bungalow

: decoration example

: view

: painting workshop

: cafe

: cafe

: artesania (for easter ;-)

: decoration with cat

Posted in Bolivia, Hostels, Travel

Andes Hostel in Santiago, Chile

Apr 9

Posted by Florian

Santiago is the biggest metropolitan area in Chile and where one third of all Chileans live. Santiago means city life with ample urban amenities to enjoy during your stay.

The Andes Hostel wants to make your stay as good as possible, being Latin America’s best-rated hostel on Hostelworld in 2011.

The central location of the Andes Hostel, only four blocks from Plaza des Armas, makes you immediately feel like part of Santiago’s big city life. Cerro Santa Lucía, the Bellas Artes Museum and the popular Lastarria district are just around the corner and many other sights are in walking distance. Visiting places further out is super easy; just take the metro from directly opposite of the hostel.

That said, you can easily spend the evening in the hostel’s bar, at the pool table, in the comfy lounge, in front of one of the flat-screen TVs or enjoying a weekly free special event like Pasta & Wine or Karaoke night with hot dogs. You can also just cook your own dinner in the modern and fully equipped kitchen and enjoy it with old and new friends in the dining room.

The entrance

Santiago doesn’t only offer an urban center with nightlife, shopping and cultural activities but also quick access to ski resorts and the ocean. In fact, you can spend the morning skiing and the afternoon at the beach. The English-speaking Andes Hostel staff will gladly provide you with information on these and other activities and also book tours for you.

If you prefer a more private atmosphere than a hostel dorm, the friendly Andes Hostel team also offers apartments on the same block. That said, the hostel’s dorm rooms are spacious enough and there are big bathrooms on each floor. There is also a lot of space in the dining room, where the free and wholesome breakfast is served each morning. No better way to start your day.

bar with pool table

As of February 2013, the rooftop bar with barbecue was closed. We hope it makes a comeback soon.

Services:

Free breakfast (continental + cereals + scrambled eggs)
WiFi
Internet Computers
Fully equipped, new kitchen
Book exchange
24/7 Food and Drinks dispenser
Cable TV
Towels
Security Lockers
24 hour access
Tours and Information
Luggage Storage
Weekly specials, e.g. free Pasta & Wine on Wednesdays

Address: Monjitas 506, Barrio Bellas Artes, Santiago, Chile

Directions: 4 blocks east from Plaza des Armas, directly in front of Metro Bellas Artes

Phone: 56 2 632 9990

Email: info@andeshostel.com

Website: www.andeshostel.com

Free pasta and wine wednesday

Prices:

6 Bed Mixed/Female Dorm – 17 US Dollar
4 Bed Mixed Dorm – 18 US Dollar
Double/Twin Room with shared bathroom – 50 US Dollar
Double/Twin Room with private bathroom – 65 US Dollar
4 people Room with private bathroom – 20 US Dollar per Person

1-3 people Standard Apartment – 75-85 US Dollar
2-4 people Superior Apartment – 95-135 US Dollar
2-4 people Loft 2 floor Apartment – 100-140 US Dollar

: Entrance

: Metro Station opposite of hostel

: Frontdesk with English speaking staff

: Lounge

: Bar with Pool table

: Dining Room

: Stairs

: A dorm room

: Bathroom

: Breakfast

: Modern Kitchen

: Free Pasta and Wine special

Posted in Chile, Hostels, Travel

Sunny Days Hostel in Arica, Chile

Mar 20

Posted by Florian

Arica is the gateway to Chile… …no wait, the gateway to Peru! Or is it Bolivia? If you visit this northernmost Chilean city, chances are you are crossing Chile to/from Peru or Bolivia.

The Sunny Days Hostel in Arica is in a very convenient location to do just that, a short walk from the national and the international bus station.

But there is more to Arica than just being a transit layover. As the hostel name suggest, it almost never rains in Arica. On the other hand, it doesn’t get too hot in the “city of eternal spring”, even though it is situated at the edge of the Desierto de Atacama. Add 20km of beaches and nice waves and you’ve got yourself a surfer’s paradise.

No matter if you want to stay a night to catch the bus next morning or stay a month to catch the famous wave “El Gringo” each morning, Sunny Days welcomes you. Or rather Ross from New Zealand, the owner and host, welcomes you with a smile, a joke and a free all you can eat breakfast to his living room. Or is it the hostel’s living room? The distinction is blurred and doesn’t matter.

The living room

Spacious doesn’t cut it as a description for this living room and the huge communal area with public kitchen in the second house next door or the second fully equipped kitchen on the top floor or the rooftop terrace or the rooms themselves. Bring an elephant or two, if you like. They will hardly register.

Owner Ross is a wealth of information about things to do in and around Arica, having lived here for 12 years. He can also provide you with information about the nearby Parque Nacional Lauca. If you can’t make it all the way down south to Patagonia, Parque Lauca is supposed to be the next best thing for outdoor lovers visiting Chile.

The upper floor kitchen

Enjoy some sunny days in Sunny Days Arica.

Services:

Free breakfast (continental + cereals)
WiFi
Internet Computers
2 fully equipped kitchens
Book exchange
Cable TV
Towels
Security Lockers
Travel Information
Luggage Storage
Free Car Parking
Beach gear
Mountain bike hire

Address: Tomas Aravena 161, Poblacion Chinchorro – Arica, Chile

Directions: 2 blocks from the bus terminal next to the fresh market

Phone: (056) 58 2241038

Email: info@sunny-days-arica.cl

Website: www.sunny-days-arica.cl

A sunny day on the rooftop of Sunny Days Arica

Prices:

6 Bed Mixed Dorm – 9,000 Chilean Pesos
Double/Twin Room with shared bathroom – 11,000 Chilean Pesos
Double/Twin Room with private bathroom – 13,000 Chilean Pesos

: Sunny Days Arica

: Living room

: Community room

: A Bed room

: A Bed room

: Quirky Couch

: Top Floor Kitchen

: Buffet Breakfast

: A sunny day on the hostel rooftop

Posted in Chile, Hostels, Travel

1 Comment

Tags: Arica, Arica accomodation, Arica hostel, Arica hotel, Atacama desert, Bolivia, Chile, Desierto de Atacama, Lauca National Park, Parque Nacional Lauca, Patagonia, Peru, Sunny Days Hostel, Sunny Days Hostel Atacama

Hotel Federico I in Concordia, Argentina

Feb 21

Posted by Hendrik

Concordia is a city in the province of Entre Rios, directly on the shore of the mighty Rio Uruguay which also marks the border to Uruguay. With nearly 200,000 inhabitants you can find everything you might expect from a city. Furthermore there are nice beaches at the beautiful riverside and hot springs only 15 minutes from the city center.

Located only three blocks from the cathedral at the center of the city, you will find the charming little Hotel Federico I. The beautiful old building is from the beginning of the 20th century. Since the 1970s it has been used as a hotel. Don’t expect a brand new interior, but the age shows the quality of this place. It is well known to locals and close to the bus stop. Supermarkets, tourist offices, bars, and restaurants are all within a few minutes by foot. The riverside, with its promenade and sandy beaches is only seven blocks away.

For the past 11 years, Hotel Federico I has been run by Susana and Rubén and their little team that watch over every part of your stay.

The hotel has 16 rooms. All are equipped with air-conditioning and ceiling fan, so you can choose how to cool your room. Furthermore, there is central heating for the cold days of the year. It is clean and safe, plus mattresses are comfortable, nearly brand new and of high quality.

Services:

- Free WiFi in all rooms and common areas
- Cable TV (170 channels)
- Central heating
- Private bathrooms
- Free, very basic breakfast (7:00am-10:00am)
- Luggage Storage
- 24h Reception
- 24h medical assistance
- 24h Cafeteria
- Spanish and Portuguese spoken
- Garage

Adress: 1º de Mayo Nº 248 – 3200 Concordia – Entre Rios – Argentina

Phone: (0345)423 0847

Email: hotelfederico@ciudad.com.ar

Website (spanish): http://www.turismoentrerios.com/hotelfederico/index.htm

Prices during low season depending of the room-facilities (including breakfast and WIFI):

- single: 180 AR$ / 200 AR$
- double: 280 AR$ / 300 AR$
- triple: 330 AR$ / 350 AR$
- 4 pers.: 380 AR$ / 400 AR$
- 5 pers: 450 AR$ / 450 AR$

Ask for prices during long weekends, holidays and high season!

Note: Inflation rate in Argentina a very high (15% – 30% p.a.). So prices might get outdated quickly.

Check out is at 10:00 am

: side view

: entrance

: room with balcony

Posted in Adventures, Travel

1 Comment

Tags: Argentina, Argentina Uruguay border, Concordia accomodation, Concordia Argentina, Concordia hostel, Concordia hotel, Hotel Federico I, Patagonia, Rio Uruguay, Uruguay

Hostel El Gaucho in Bariloche, Argentina

Feb 19

Posted by Florian

Bariloche, Argentina is a buzzling touristic city near seven lakes and Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. It’s the door to Patagonia and a ski town at the same time. If you want to enjoy a familiar atmosphere at an economic price, go to Hostel El Gaucho.

Hostel El Gaucho in Bariloche

The hostel is managed by the always smiling and joking Tito. He speaks some English and runs a big house with lots of room to hang out. There are two lounges and even two kitchens, one on each floor. The two kitchens are both fully equipped for your cooking needs and every morning there is a free breakfast with real coffee.

Furthermore, there is a large barbecue grill in the front yard which is in constant use. Even without Argentine steaks from the grill, the front yard is a great place to relax and read in the sun or check on the latest news on your wifi device.

Lounge with Internet Computers

If you feel more active than that, manager Tito can help you around with information on sights in Bariloche and the nearby national park. If you’re looking to do some trekking, you can rent out sleeping bags and tents at a cheap price from El Gaucho. Tito and his assistants can also arrange everything you need for kayak tours, bicycling, trekking, sky diving, canopy tours, and horse riding.

Tour Information in El Gaucho

Services:

Free breakfast
WiFi
Internet Computers
2 Shared kitchens
2 Lounges
Bar
Front Yard
Free Parking
Cable TV
Tours and information
Security Lockers
Laundry Service
Clothing Repair Service
Luggage Storage
24h access by security code

Address: Belgrano 209, Bariloche, Argentina

Directions: 3 blocks from Centro Civico

Phone: +54 02944 522464

Email: info@hostelelgaucho.com

Website: hostelelgaucho.com

Argentine BBQ

Prices:

Double/Twin with private bathroom – 150 Argentine Pesos / person
4 bed/Triple with private bathroom – 120 Argentine Pesos / person
4 bed dorm with shared bathroom – 90 Argentine Pesos / person

: El Gaucho

: Kitchen ground floor

: Kitchen 1st floor

: Clean Bathroom

: Dorm Beds

: BBQ

: Front Desk

: Lounge

: Front Yard

Posted in Argentina, Hostels

1 Comment

Tags: Argentina, Bariloche, Bariloche accomodation, Bariloche Argentina, Bariloche Hostel, Hostel El Gaucho, Patagonia, Patagonia hostel

Periko’s Youth Hostel in Bariloche, Argentina

Feb 18

Posted by Florian

Bariloche in Argentina is where Patagonia’s famous nature meets the amenities of a sizeable city. Being surrounded by a national park with seven lakes and countless mountains, Bariloche is a great base for day tours.

Periko’s Youth Hostel is a friendly and modern place to make your basecamp in the center of Bariloche, Argentina.

Bariloche is a skiing center in wintertime and Periko’s was built with that in mind. The wooden interior reminds you of a ski hut in the mountains. And like in a ski hut, the huge common room encourages socializing among the many international guests.

That said, Periko’s is nothing like a ski hut when it comes to facilities like the bathrooms and the kitchen. The whole place is very modern and the kitchen is fully equipped. Of course they also have Wifi and computers with internet, as well as a big screen TV with a sizable DVD collection.

The huge common room

The hostel is located right in the center of things, only three blocks from the Centro Civico and the main tourist area. The location is central enough to walk everywhere and also good for catching a local bus to one of the nearby mountains.

If you’d rather see those mountains on an organized tour, Periko’s offers several one-day sightseeing tours. If you want to be more active than that, they can also provide you with kayaking, hiking tours, rafting and horse riding. In wintertime, they also rent out ski and snowboards.

Big garden with BBQ

And if you just want to relax, grab a book or a beer and hang out in one of the lounges or in the big garden with hammock and BBQ grill.

Services:

Free breakfast
WiFi
Internet Computers
Fully equipped kitchen
Book exchange
Big Garden with BBQ
Cable TV
Towels
Security Lockers
24 hour access by security code
Tours and Information
Laundry Service
Luggage Storage

Address: Morales 555, Bariloche, Argentina

Directions: From Centro Civico 3 blocks north

Phone: 54 294 4522326

Email: info@perikos.com

Website: www.perikos.com

Lounge with TV

Prices:

4 Bed Mixed Dorm – 90 Argentine Pesos
Double Room with shared bathroom – 240 Argentine Pesos
Double Room with private bathroom – 280 Argentine Pesos

In off season, prices are about 15% reduced.

: Periko’s Youth Hostel

: Garden with BBQ

: Common Room

: Modern Bathroom

: Lounge with TV

: Another Lounge

: Fully Equipped Kitchen

: Free Breakfast

: Dorms from 90 Argentine Pesos

Posted in Argentina, Hostels, Travel

Arrayan Hostel in Valdivia, Chile

Jan 31

Posted by Florian

Valdivia, Chile is most famous for its German breweries Salzburg and Kunstmann. Besides that claim to fame, it is one of the biggest cities in the region, a university town, and a cultural center. If you don’t want to break your budget visiting Valdivia, check out the Arrayan Hostel.

Hostel Arrayan is close to the center of Valdivia and only a short footwalk away from the Plaza de Armas, the fish market, the rivers, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, banks and even in walking distance to the bus station.

Double room in Arrayan

This basic hostel features a well-equipped public kitchen, cable TV and wifi. It is an economic choice so you can expect clean rooms and good beds but no frills.

You can book tours in Hostel Arrayan for trekking, horse riding, sport fishing and they will give you information and directions for Valdivia and around.