Positive points of Hostal Mama Tierra

• Very friendly, courteous and warm service
• Extremely clean
• Hot water showers all day
• 24 hour water supply - the water supply of San Pedro de Atacama is switched off at night. Hostal Mama Tierra has its own supply tank that provides a constant over night supply at low pressure - showers are still best before the switch over but are at least possible 24 hours a day
• The most comfortable, sprung beds at this price in Chile. Duvet/comforter and blankets are warm and clean. Beds don't have wooden ends, so tall people can sleep comfortably.
• Rooms have dual light switches - one by the door and one by the bed.
• Electrical sockets in all rooms
• Attractive adobe construction with high ceilings - cool in the day, warm at night
• Comfortable, covered, outside seating area complete with hammocks, the chatter of budgies/parakeets, and decorative wind chimes, lanterns and tiki-torches
• Free luggage storage in the family house while exploring the desert or taking multi-day tours
• Friendly, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
• Moderately equipped kitchen (separate from family's own kitchen), more pots and pans would be a real bonus
• Top loading machine laundry available - quite expensive, as is the whole town, water being at a premium in the Atacama
• Common areas are open to guests who have checked out but are waiting for a night time bus (all long distance buses leave late in the evening)
• Local information (posted regional maps and bus schedules) and tours available
• Grocery store only one door down
• Often meets the incoming buses - you're looking for a short, unassuming, quietly spoken lady, probably wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She had a white ute/pickup in early 2004.

Negative points of Hostal Mama Tierra

• Curtains are too thin to not be see-through when the light is on at night
• Bare bulb of the ceiling light is harsh on the eyes
• Door lock can be easily reached through the window when the window is open

Local attractions and facilities

• Atacama sites
  • Salar de Atacama - vast salt flats
  • Fortress of Quitor
  • Geysers Del Tatio - over 40 metres of steam
  • Tocopurri and Sairecahur volcanoes
  • Pakana rock structures
  • Tulor, an ancient, deserted village with round buildings
• Good restaurants abound if you have the budget
• Internet cafes, slow and a little expensive
• Grocery stores
• Souvenir shops

This was the best hostal/hospedaje/hotel/pension we found during our three months in Chile. The owner does a great job and she deserves more business.

If you have had a different experience or have something to add please send us a mail