Hostel El Fiordo, Puerto Natales

Hostel El Fiordo is a fairly busy hostel with a homey atmosphere, just a few minutes’ walk from the bus terminal. There’s not too much atmosphere but it is clean, warm, and secure, and the friendly local owner makes you feel at home.

The Location

Hostel El Fiordo is located in the outskirts of Puerto Natales, three minutes’ walk from the bus station. The centre of Puerto Natales -- where you will find shops, restaurants, and equipment rental agencies -- is about fifteen minutes’ walk away. Although not central, this location is in fact very convenient. When you return to the bus station after a long hike in Torres del Paine, you will be grateful not to have to carry your backpack too far!

There is a small shop on the corner (a one-minute walk) and a decent supermarket about five minutes’ walk away.

Rooms and Bathrooms

There are several large dorm rooms containing bunk beds with clean warm sheets, comfy mattresses, and bedside charging sockets. The rooms have gas heaters and are cozy and warm. Dorms don’t lock and there are no lockers in the rooms, but there are a few lockers in reception (although not enough for everyone).

There are separate male and female bathrooms, each containing several toilet and shower cubicles. They are kept fairly clean and there are enough toilets/showers to prevent queues. There are signs on the wall prohibiting the use of the showers between certain times during the day, but thankfully these were not really enforced.

Common Spaces

The main common space is the communal kitchen, which is clean, well stocked, and well organised. There is free tea and instant coffee throughout the day. The most sociable place in the hostel is the kitchen table; apart from this, there are a few seats spread around the hostel but no real common area. The vibe is quite calm but social enough, since most people are either preparing for or returning from trekking in Torres del Paine. The place has a cozy, homey feel. There is a slightly annoying and unnecessary sign on the wall limiting the use of the kitchen to certain times of day (after lunch, you cannot cook again until after 7 p.m.). Thankfully this was not enforced during our stay.

There is good security -- the front door is kept locked, and there are security cameras. The hostel will store your bags free of charge if you are doing a multi-day hike. There is usually someone helpful at reception but it is only open between certain hours, so check with the hostel if you will be arriving at an unsociable time!

Summary

A cozy, homey hostel run by locals, Hostel El Fiordo is a pleasant and convenient place from which to base yourself whilst preparing for your Torres del Paine trek.