The Cheapest Places to Stay: Hostels in Salta, Argentina

Scenic Salta sits in northwest Argentina. At least a days bus ride from the spectacular city of Buenos Aires. Surrounded by mountains, the last few hours of your journey will have the best view.

So you understand my perspective of this article: I am a tourist, but I have lived in Argentina for one year. My boyfriend, and traveling companion, is Argentino, and therefore speaks fluent Spanish. This is my first time in Salta, Argentina and I was there in May. May is the off-season.

There are at least 20 different cheap hostels in Salta. I stayed in one. First of all, to get yourself from the bus station to any hostel will be $10 pesos or less in a taxi. So if you have the money, save your back. Have the taxi drop you off in El Centro, the historic center of Salta, Argentina. Unlike Tucuman, you can find hostels easily from this point. In fact, you would have to be totally oblivious not to find one.

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Hostal Quara, 6 blocks from El Centro. At this point I will change to the English spelling "hostel". Not fancy, it is one of those slightly run down yet cozy with everything you need places. What's cool about Hostel Quara is its close proximity to La Cancha de Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta. Translation please? The local field of the Salta professional soccer team. Located in a quiet neighborhood (except on game day), you can shop and live more like a local than a tourist.

We made a reservation at Hostel Quara, without a deposit or credit card number, 24 hours in advance. The front desk folks are friendly. We stayed in a private room with a bathroom for $110 pesos. It sleeps 6 people. Like I said, it is the off-season. It is the large room in the front and features 2 sets of bunk beds, a double bed, 2 towels, 2 bars of soap, a street facing window, a fan, a television and a private bathroom with a hot shower.

The front room of Hostel Quara in Salta, Argentina has a kitchen connected to the lounge which features a cable TV. There is an ample outdoor lounge area with tables, chairs, a mountain view and a rooftop terrace with a parilla (BBQ). Within 2 blocks you have the laundromat, restaurants, convenience stores and a hair salon (waxing and highlights are much cheaper in Argentina).

Hostal Quara, Santiago del Estero 137, Salta, Argentina, (0)387 431 1421. (www.hostalquara.com.ar)

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