Rolling Stone : Puerto Natales in Fiordland Chile

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Puerto Natales in Fiordland Chile

Puerto Natales in Chilean Patagonia is the starting off point to see the finest mountain and lake scenery in South America.

Torres del Paine National Park is one of the "in places" to go to in South America, rivaling Machu Picchu as a "must see" destination. While Torres del Paine is the big local attraction, there is plenty else to do and see around Puerto Natales. The Milodon Cave is superb as is the boat cruise up the adjacent fiord to view the glaciers... and close by over the Argentine border is the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier.
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Accommodation in Managua and Granada

Budget accommodation is plentiful in both the capital Managua and adjacent by the lake shore, Granada. Check the Lonely Planet guide book suggestions.
Hostel World lists 6 hostels in Granada and 4 in Managua costing US $10 to $13 per night.

Granada is the more pleasant and safer place to stay. Scenic day tours leave Granada for Masaya artesania market, Volcan Masaya, pottery works at San Juan de Oriente, with lunch at Laguna de Apoya, a volcanic crater lake.

Accommodation in Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a tourist town with a wide spectrum of accommodation, ranging from five star hotels (5), to large backpackers (2) to numerous small family guest houses, or hospedajes. Hostels can be found from the website Hostel World and provide private rooms for US $20 to $45. Large backpackers, Casa Azul and Compass del Sur are listed with Backpackers Chileand offer economical accommodation ranging from $10 to $20 dorms to shared rooms with a buffet breakfast for $3.50. They are similar to a large South African backpackers and offer tours, excursions, Spanish classes, you name it and they'll provide it.

Most economical are the family guest houses or hospedajes costing $10 to $15 per person, and listed in guide books like Lonely Planet. A family may rent out to travelers a couple of rooms in a large family house. If you are lucky you may get to share their kitchen to cook meals and learn some Spanish for free at the same time. So you learn how a Chilean family operates. In Puerto Varas I have gone back and stayed at the same hospedaje three years in a row. (and with a different companera each time, which confused mama)

Cape Town for backpackers

Backpackers are very well accommodated in Cape Town. There are dozens of exciting backpackers to choose from. A little booklet called "Coast to Coast" lists them all, with details for booking. The same information is on the Internet for Southern Africa, just put in "Cape Town" for the region.

I shall not recommend any backpackers because that would be unfair and half the fun is finding a good one that suits you. Important factors in your choice are that the backpackers should have good Internet facilities, a good kitchen and dining area, a travel bureau office, a swimming pool, and be close to a popular restaurant, plus any more factors? Many backpackers have ALL these facilities and are converted mansions of old. Lucky you!

San Pedro on Lago Atitlan

Lago Atitlan, fishermen's boats

Breakfast at San Pedro

Pancakes, scrambled eggs and banana

San Pedro

Tilapia fish farm at San Pedro

San Pedro

Coffee bean processing plant

Lago Atitlan

Panajachel & Volcan Toliman