During a recent trip to Chile, I found myself transiting twice through Santiago and spending the nights between flights at two Santiago Chile hostels. I stayed in two different hostels in very different neighborhoods. Both were good experiences, depending on if I needed just a place to sleep close to the airport or had a little more time for sightseeing during my layover.
Hostal Sol y Luna
My first Santiago stopover was short. I arrived in the late afternoon and was scheduled to fly out at 9:30 the next morning. So I wanted somewhere close to the airport. There is a Holiday Inn right at the airport—very convenient if you’re arriving late and leaving early — but kind of dull. After scouring the many options on Booking.com, I settled on Hostal Sol y Luna. I chose this place because it had stellar reviews, was close to the airport but in a neighborhood, had a garden, and a good price on a private room with a shared bath.
When I arrived at the airport, people at the info desk told me Ubers aren’t allowed to come into the airport (not exactly true) so I found a shared shuttle (cheaper than a taxi). However, the shuttle driver had trouble finding the hostel because there’s no sign. He stopped and asked people on the street near the address but nobody knew where it was. He called the number I had in my Booking.com reservation and proprietor David dashed out of a house and warmly welcomed me.
The hostel was very cute and clean, with both front and back garden spaces. I especially enjoyed playing with Gordita, the resident dog. And I liked the creative touches, such as a wall of art made from old tea kettles, and the brightly colored pug bedspreads in my upstairs room ($30 US). There were two clean shared bathrooms downstairs.
Pudahuel neighborhood
Hostal Sol y Luna is in a decidedly untouristy neighborhood close to the airport. I was able to book my Uber the night before for the quick ride to the airport. Pudahuel is one of Santiago’s poorer neighborhoods. Whoever sold razor wire around here must have made a fortune, because it features prominently on most fences—even around churches. If not razor wire, spikes. As I walked around the neighborhood, my smiles were met with stony faces. It wasn’t scary but it wasn’t friendly and welcoming, either. Still, it was an interesting experience to stay somewhere so untouristed.
Nor was it a neighborhood that caters to vegans. When I asked David for recommendations he said my best bet would be a sushi restaurant. There were quite a few around. I went to Haki Sushi Restobar, where food is sold through a barred window. I was able to order the vegetarian bowl without queso to make it vegan. Dinner was excellent—a bowl of rice covered with mushrooms, avocado slices, seaweed, bamboo shoots, soy sauce and wasabi, plus a can of pineapple juice. I ate at a sidewalk table where I could people watch.
After dinner, I checked out a neighborhood park and walked down a street with an unusual number of pet supply shops. There were lots of street dogs. Some were pets out for a wander. They didn’t all look healthy, but they seemed happy romping wherever they wanted to go, playing and chasing each other.
Breakfast at Santiago Chile hostels
Sol y Luna’s rooms come with breakfast. Since I had to leave early for a flight, they packed me a vegan breakfast—two bananas and a pineapple juice. When I got to the airport I went to the Dunkin Donuts for a soy cappuccino. I glanced at the case of donuts and was floored to see most tagged with a sign that said “vegana.” What?! It’s true. Most of the Dunkin Donuts choices at the Santiago airport are vegan. I tried the Boston cream and a lemon pie flavor.
Eco-Hostal Tambo Verde
During my second stopover, I continued my exploration of Santiago Chile hostels. I arrived at about 9:30 PM and was there till almost 11 PM the following night. So this time I booked a room at Eco-Hostal Tambo Verde, in the hip Providencia region right in Santiago. It was on a quiet residential street and is a bigger operation with more prominent signage than Sol y Luna, so it was easy for my Uber driver to find. Somebody is available at the front desk 24/7, so my later arrival was not a problem.
I booked a private room with a private bath ($77 US). My upstairs room was spacious with a king bed, a little outdoor patio and a bathroom with a tub. Tambo Verde has rooms on several levels and an eco focus. The ground floor features a big garden where people eat breakfast and hang out during the day. There’s a book exchange, too.
They made me a good vegan breakfast of bread, guacamole, jam, fruit and unlimited, help-yourself coffee. There’s also a fair trade coffee shop on premises, but it didn’t open until after I’d left to go sightseeing.
A day in Santiago
The hostel was close to San Cristobal Hill, so I set off to climb it. Turns out it was a little more of a hike than I expected when I put on a skirt and slip-on shoes. Sneakers would have been better. The hill is in Santiago’s Parque Metropolitano, the biggest urban park in South America. At the very top of the hill is the sanctuary to the Immaculate Conception. Whether or not you’re Catholic, you get views of the sprawling city and lots of people are up there relaxing at the base of the humongous Mary statue. There’s a funicular station right by the sanctuary, so you can ride that down for more city views.
The Providencia area is good for street art and vegan food. Out of several promising choices, I walked to Vegan Bunker. I asked the server for a sandwich recommendation and finished my meal with vegan ice cream.
Then I spent the afternoon visiting two cat cafes within walking distance. Muchos gatos! For details on El Mundo de Dalí Cat Café and Casa de la gata Horacia , please read my post on Santiago cat cafes.
I easily could have spent a couple of more days seeing the sights of Santiago. But even if you only have a day, it’s well worth getting away from the airport and having a look around town. And you can find good deals at Santiago Chile hostels.
