10 Types Of Accommodation To Try In Patagonia, From Refugios To Estancias

Hiking in Patagonia is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience for many travelers and the good news is that it’s possible to make it happen on nearly any budget. Whether travelers are looking for ultra-affordable accommodation, authentic cultural experiences, or luxurious comfort, Patagonia has it all.

Here are the various types of accommodation to think about booking when visiting Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.

10 Campsite

The most basic and cost-effective way to see the region, travelers willing to tent camp are going to save money while enjoying the same beautiful scenery as everyone else. Campsites inside Torres del Paine National Park along the O circuit and the infamous W Trek go for ~$12 per night, making it easy to complete a 10-trek with less than $150 spent on accommodation.

What travelers save in cost they sacrifice in comfort; these campsites do have working toilets and shower facilities, but they are shared with others.

Hot meals are available to purchase, but there are also simply covered indoor dining areas where travelers can prepare their own food that they’ve brought on the trek.

Best For: Hikers
Places To Stay: Chileno, Paine Grande, Camping La Torcida
Cost: $

9 Hostel - Dormitory

For budget-backpackers a hostel dorm is a trusted place to spend the night. It offers the comfort of a warm bed and often, a free breakfast, but comes at an affordable price. In some of the popular towns in Patagonia such as Puerto Natales, El Chalten, and El Calafate, hostels with six or four-bed dormitories are the best places to stay for socializing, meeting other hikers, and gaining access to amenities.

Staying in a hostel can be a lot of fun, especially at higher-rated establishments.

Best For: Solo Backpackers
Places To Stay: America Del Sur, Treehouse Patagonia, Calafate Hostel
Cost: $

8 Hostel - Private Room

For travelers who want the privacy of a hotel but don’t have a 3 or 4-star boutique hotel in their budget, Patagonia’s many beautiful hostels are the solution.

Most hostels have several private rooms with either shared bathrooms or private ensuites that give backpackers or digital nomads comfort and privacy without breaking the bank.

Best For: Digital Nomads, Couples
Places To Stay: Treehouse Patagonia, Hostal Factoria Patagonia, Lago Argentino Hostel
Cost: $$

7 Airbnb/Apartment

Airbnb can get expensive nowadays, but there are still some great options for charming private rooms or apartments in Patagonia. Booking.com also offers up private accommodations on par with Airbnb.

Best For: Digital Nomads, Families, Friend Groups
Places To Stay: Folk Suites
Cost: $$

6 Apartment

Apartments or suites are also available through sites like Booking.com or independent facilities.

The benefit of an apartment includes having a kitchen, which is great for travelers who plan to cook their own meals. Wi-Fi and privacy are also perks of apartment accommodation, ideal for digital nomads or families traveling together.

Best For: Digital Nomads, Families, Friend Groups
Places To Stay: South Apartments
Cost: $$

5 Home Stay

A home stay is a unique opportunity to see how people live in another country, eat their home cooked meals, and practice speaking their language.

Travelers who are actively working on improving their Spanish while visiting South America will enjoy a home stay in Patagonia.

Best For: Solo Travelers, Individuals Learning Spanish
Places To Stay: Kiritina’s House Homestay, Various on Homestay.com
Cost: $

4 Refugio (Mountain Lodge)

A unique experience in Patagonia is to stay in a Refugio (pronounced ref-oo-gee-oh), which is essentially a shelter or place of refuge. This style of mountain lodge is basic but comfortable and appears on many popular hiking routes in Patagonia as an alternative to tent camping.

Staying at Refugios often means making friends with like-minded travelers and sharing warm meals in communal dining spaces.

Best For: Hikers
Places To Stay: Refugio Grey, Refugio Chileno, Refugio Las Torres, Refugio Laguna Amarga
Cost: $$

3 Estancia

Staying at an Estancia is a unique experience that travelers who can afford to should add to their itinerary while in South America. An Estancia is a large cattle or sheep ranch in Latin America that offers rustic accommodation to travelers.

Choosing an Estancia for a stay in Patagonia means escaping the crowds because you’re staying on a vast plot of private land. Meals are home cooked, there is an opportunity to learn about what life is like working on these farms, and there are even horseback riding tours through the unforgettable landscapes of Patagonia.

Despite the remote and rustic environment of an Estancia, most of these experiences (especially at popular Estancias like Cerro Guido in Torres del Paine) don’t come cheap.

Travelers can expect to pay upwards of $300 per night.

Best For: Adventurous Travelers, Horseback riding enthusiasts
Places To Stay: Estancia Cerro Guido, Estancia Tercera Barranca
Cost: $$$$

2 Hotel

Travelers with a healthy budget to spend on accommodation who want to experience some of the finer things in life will be able to find upscale hotels throughout the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina.

Prices vary drastically depending on whether the hotel is 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star venue.

Best For: Travelers Seeking Amenities
Places To Stay: Noi Indigo Patagonia
Cost: $$$-$$$$$

1 Resorts

Resorts are less common in Patagonia, but are still worth mentioning. Many have amenities not found at the region’s hostels and campgrounds including swimming pools, spas, and more.