San Pedro de Atacama · Chile
Backpackers San Pedro
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Super lovely staff! Helpful with everything. I enjoyed my stay so much. (No bedbugs!)
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Bedbugs… do not recommend
HostelPunk native reviews
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Vibe Analysis
Free pisco sour classes, wine nights, asados, potluck dinners, and a nightly bonfire give Backpackers San Pedro its social engine. This is the kind of San Pedro base where solo backpackers can fall into a group fast, especially around the outdoor courtyard, hammocks, benches, bar area, and evening activities. The staff are a major part of the appeal: names like Fabiola, Daniel, Jota, Vini, Amy, Murilo, Alicia, and Nathalia are tied to warm check-ins, practical town tips, tour planning, bus help, and a generally homey mood. The hostel can help organize excursions, and the arrival rundown can be useful when Atacama logistics start looking like a spreadsheet with altitude sickness. The setup is simple and backpacker-ish rather than polished. There are multiple kitchens, sometimes one per small house or unit, with enough cooking gear to save money in expensive San Pedro. Bathrooms and kitchens can be clean and functional, and the outdoor space is good for slow afternoons in hammocks after early tours. The rough edges are real: dorms can be small, hot, stuffy, creaky, and short on outlets or curtains. Hot water can be unreliable, noise travels easily from kitchens, bathrooms, the courtyard, music, and the bonfire, and rooms near social areas may get smoke or late-night sound. It works best for social, budget-minded travelers who value activities and easy connections more than quiet, privacy, or boutique comfort.
Signals to check
- Dorms can be cramped, hot, basic, and short on outlets, lockers, curtains, or airflow.
- Hot water can be unreliable, with showers sometimes running cold or swinging between too hot and too cold.
- Noise can carry from the courtyard, kitchens, bathrooms, music, bonfire, and early tour departures.
- Tour prices and tour communication may be inconsistent, so checking agencies in town can be smart.
- The hostel sits a short walk from the center rather than directly on the main drag.