Hostel Plaza de Armas

Hostel Plaza de Armas is a budget hostel at Compania 960 in the historic centre of Santiago, Chile, overlooking the Plaza de Armas, the city's main square and the most central budget base for sightseeing on foot. From the hostel, visitors can walk to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museo Historico Nacional, the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, the Mercado Central and the Palacio de la Moneda within minutes. Plaza de Armas metro station is directly beside the square, which provides fast connections to the rest of the network, the airport buses and the long-distance bus terminals for Valparaiso and the coast. The hostel occupies an older building around the square, giving views and a historic setting that few budget properties in the capital can match. Accommodation is offered as Dorm Beds in shared rooms and as Private Double rooms for couples or friends who want more privacy. Shared facilities include a communal kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals, wifi, luggage storage for early arrivals and late departures, and a common area where travellers meet. Breakfast is included in the rate and is typically a simple meal of bread, spreads, coffee and fruit. The atmosphere is informal and social, and staff generally offer maps, advice on free walking tours and help arranging excursions to the wine valleys and the Andes. Rates range from around CLP 15,000 for a dorm bed to CLP 45,000 for a private room, among the lowest in the central district. The square is lively throughout the day, with street performers, vendors and tour groups, and noise can continue into the evening, so visitors who need quiet may prefer a private room facing away from the plaza. Normal city precautions with valuables are advisable. The hostel suits backpackers, solo visitors and short-stay travellers who want the most central location available at a low price.