Hispano hostel

It's basic and inexpensive, but the atmosphere is great, and for what we're paying I'm really happy with it. The beds are super comfortable and warm at night. The owners are incredibly friendly and happy to help with whatever you need. There's a room with a TV, lots of movies, and an Xbox 360. The kitchen has everything, right down to a spice rack. You can also wash and dry your clothes yourself, which is great.

This is a party hostel, so it's great if that's what you're after. We had a budget double that was spotless, but it sits below the roof terrace, and you hear chairs scraping and beer bottles rolling around. Things got quiet after 2am. The location is handy for walking to Recoleta and the centre, and there are plenty of good food options nearby.

The kitchen was a highlight for me, with great pans, pots, knives, and spices, and the hostel is clean with good wifi. They offer every fourth night free. You can also stay free on weekdays if you take at least 4 hours of Spanish lessons daily, Monday to Friday, at 45 Bs. per hour. A dorm bed costs 39 Bs. a night.

We stayed for 10 days in a homely hostel with a good common area and a well-equipped kitchen. I took 10 Spanish lessons with Jocelyn, who was fantastic. The wifi was great, and being able to pay by card was a bonus. It's quieter here, about a 10 minute walk from the main square.