Puritama Hostel - Hostal Puri

Puritama Hostel, in San Pedro de Atacama, is located on the main street, on the left, as you head downhill in the direction of the river. It's near the end of town, after a multitude of restaurants, tour agencies, and souvernier shops, just before the only ATM in town. The hostel is part of a larger business which includes more upmarket rooms and cabanas and camping spaces in the back.

Rooms are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is friendly. The facilities are basic, but include an airy outside courtyard with tables and chairs and a kitchen. Tours may also be booked the the front desk, but there are also many agencies in town to choose from.

The beds are comfortable, consisting primarily of bunks, with ample blankets and quilts, so no need to unpack one's sleeping gear here. The rooms aren't large, but there is sufficient room for backpacks and the like. Most have a power point or two, so charging phones, cameras and other equipment should be possible.

The bathrooms are located accross the courtyard (so expect a potentially cold walk to reach them at night). That said, the water is hot as long as you can wait for the taps to unfreeze. In the winter nights get down below zero here so it's not unheard of for the taps to be frozen late at night and/or early in the morning. Best advice -- if you have an early start in the morning, have a hot shower the night before or prepare to go without, especially in winter.

In summary, Puritama is a friendly and welcoming place to stay. In common with many hostels in town, breakfast and internet aren't provided. That said, it's worth the walk to stay here (San Pedro has no taxis) for a comfortable, friendly and relaxed place to stay with hot showers that are truly hot.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review