Patagon Backpackers

The rooms and shared areas were pretty standard, but the bathrooms were a real problem. There simply weren’t enough, and I once had to wait about half an hour for a toilet. The kitchen also felt too small for the number of people staying there. In the end it was a fine hostel, but the bathroom situation was dire and the staff could have been much more welcoming. Payment was a mess. The hostel’s own website showed lower prices than Hostelworld, but paying there required a credit card. My debit card had worked for two months in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia, and the booking went through with a confirmation. The next morning, while I was on the bus, the owner texted to say it was cancelled because I’d used a debit card, and that no dorms were left. I was offered a private room, which I accepted. They asked for payment upfront and offered PayPal. After I asked about online payment options, they sent a PayPal link, gave me a price and currency for the transfer, and I paid it. At check-in, a volunteer who seemed pretty uninterested helped me, which was fine, but then another employee called me to reception over a payment issue. Apparently PayPal wasn’t the right option after all. We eventually worked something out, though it cost more than the advertised rates. The employee was rude throughout and seemed unsure how the hostel’s own payment options worked.

It’s a cozy, clean hostel, and co-owner Mark was very helpful. If you’re lucky, he might even sell you some camping gear. I just wish there were somewhere beside the bed to put my things, like a small shelf. There’s only a locker underneath, which is hard to reach from the upper bunk, and you can’t sit upright in the lower one. For that price, I’d expect a bit more.

I planned to stay one night and wound up staying three. The facilities were great and had everything I needed, and the social atmosphere helped me make a few friends. Mike and Paolo from Germany, who was volunteering, were both super friendly and helpful, and it felt like a real community. Paolo even joined us for a day hike to Cerro Mackay, which was great.

Good energy and always people around, with really nice staff. They also rent backpacking gear for a very affordable fee. I recommend this hostel!