Hostal Pachamama Putre

We took some of the lake tours they offer and really enjoyed them. The staff were lovely and helpful, and I’d almost certainly stay here again if I return to Putre. The little bedrooms were tidy and clean. There’s no heater, but I never got cold at night. Of the four bathrooms, three worked, and only one of those had hot water. That’s the only negative I can think of.

There’s a big shared courtyard and living room, with an old ping pong table and a pool table. The kitchen is small but usable, and the location is okay. Putre’s a small village, so local food shops are just a couple of minutes away. Tours into the National Park run every day, including trips to the salt flats and lake, and mountain treks. It’s a cool, laid-back hostel, and laundry is free!

The kitchen was filthy and badly equipped, and the bathroom floors had lots of dead bugs on them. At least they were dead! It was one of the dirtiest hostels I’ve stayed in, but the price was right for the area, so we stuck it out.

We ended up staying longer than planned, and Pacha Mama was our favorite hostel in Chile. Ricardo made the place feel so welcoming. He offered tea when we arrived, checked on our health at altitude, and helped us figure out things to do nearby, among much more. The facilities are very good, with a great kitchen, a nice patio for relaxing, comfortable beds, and hot showers all day, which isn’t easy to find in Chile. There’s no heating system, though, and nights can get cold.