Accommodation Guide – Chile

I’ve been here for 3 weeks now.

Accommodation is likely to take up a small part of your time finding and the majority of your money spending.

To maximize the value of your stay, get the accommodation right first time you will enjoy it all the more.

Research
invariably you will be able to find accommodation most suitable for your need if you spend a good few hours, perhaps 1 hour, making that decision that way you won’t feel down because your accommodation is crap and you won’t have to looking for more each morning.

Do the research before you make your decision, you will enjoy your stay a lot more.

I’ve put together this accommodation guide:

Prices
Prices won’t vary that much.
This is what you can expect to pay for a single.

Price Paid Breakfast Bathroom TV
$4-6,000 X
$6-8,000 X X
$8-12,000 X X X

Types of lodging
Type of lodging is an indication of the level of service.
You will generally find order of cheapness.

>>>Hospidajea
Lodgings as part of a dwelling. Shared facilities.

>>>Residential
Independent rooms with shared facilities.

>>>Hostel
Like a hotel but cheaper. Luxury items like towels or TV unlikely to be supplied.

>>>Hotel
Normal hotel service. Expect Cable TV, Towels, Breakfast, Phone. .

Accommodation TIPS

**Never pay upfront.
**Never look for accommodation at night.
If you do look for accommodation at night, only agree to 1 night initially.

Remember, bad decisions come easily after a 22 hour bus journey.

Talca

I am now in Talca.

The reviews for Talca are not as good as those for Curico, but to me it seems like a better place to stay, for the following reasons:

There is more and better accommodation.
There is more to do.

I like the place.

Tur-bus Hotels
Have been staying in the Tur-Bus hotel despite my nasty earlier experience with the Tur-Bussers (everyone deserves a second chance).

Luxury such as cable TV, breakfast, an en-suite bathroom and being located next to the bus station in preparation for tomorrows departure to Pucon.

Pucon
Billed (in traveller speak) as the San Pedro of the south, complete with a semi-glaciated active volcano which you hike up the side then slide down the frozen glacier.
Also, rafting, kayaking etc.

An activity paradise no less.

Curico

Have left Santiago for little known place called Curico, the attracting factor being good guide book review and a national park nearby with geographical weirdness to offer.

Curico
Reach Curico and it seems like a shit place to stay.

Maybe its because it’s Sunday.

Guidebook
Maybe it’s the guidebook.

Guidebook writers get handed research.

When you turn up at places like this expecting a good time, it makes you think.

Real
Anyway, it is shit.

I get the next bus out to Talca.

Here I can hire a car, be myself and feel real.