Why choose a hostel in La Serena?
La Serena pulls travellers in with its colonial architecture, Pacific coastline, and clear skies that make it a base for stargazing. The Plaza de Armas and the historic Iglesia Catedral are both worth your time. The city has a relaxed pace that rewards slower travel, and hostels in La Serena fit that rhythm well. Staying central keeps the beaches, markets, and plazas within easy reach without stretching your budget.
Hostels here suit solo travellers, backpackers, and anyone who wants to spend more on experiences than on a room. Shared dorms keep costs low, while private rooms give you more space without the price of a hotel. Compared to hotels, hostels offer common areas and social energy that private rentals and apartment-style stays rarely match. The staff tend to know the area well, which makes planning day trips a lot easier.
How to find the best hostel deals in La Serena
Our search engine is a pro at finding flight deals. The good news? It's equally talented at hunting down great rates on hostels. Save on your stay with these tips.
Book in advance
Book early if you can. Planning ahead usually means better prices and a bigger selection of hostels in La Serena, especially during peak seasons.
…or bag a last-minute La Serena hostel deal.
Leaving it late comes with some risk, but it can still land you a bargain. Some stays drop their rates ahead of check-in to attract guests, especially in low season.
Flexible on dates? Say hello to better rates
Cheap hostels can be easier to find when you're flexible. Play around with different months or seasons, or go midweek instead of weekends to save money.
Where to base yourself in La Serena
The centro is where many of the best hostels in La Serena sit, and it earns its place as a good starting point. Plaza de Armas anchors the neighbourhood, with colonial churches, the Museo Arqueológico, and plenty of cheap lunch spots nearby. Most things you'll want to reach on foot are within a short walk, and buses to other parts of the city leave from here too. If you'd rather be near the water, the Avenida del Mar strip runs along the coast and puts you close to the beach, casual seafood restaurants, and bars that stay open late in summer. It's a looser, more relaxed stretch than the centre. Buses connect it back to downtown without much trouble. Your choice comes down to whether you prefer city streets or sand at the end of the day.
Best hostels in La Serena
Not all hostels are created equal, and the traveller ratings on Skyscanner help you tell the difference. Each score comes from real guest reviews, covering the things worth considering before you book. Think location, service, cleanliness, value and overall experience.
Best all-rounder hostels
For a stay that ticks all the right boxes, you can't go wrong with Hostal La Serena. It gets glowing reviews for its cleanliness, rooms and service.
El Arbol Hostel is worth keeping in mind too. It earns strong ratings for its cleanliness, service and location.
Highest-rated hostels for cleanliness
If a clean, comfortable hostel is essential, El Arbol Hostel delivers. Guests praise it highly for cleanliness, with amenities like a lounge and Wi-Fi.
Hostal El Punto keeps the standard high as well, with guests giving it good cleanliness ratings. Here you'll have access to tour services, a lounge and more.
Hostels with the best customer service
When it comes to customer service, Hostal Valle Mistral - Hostel is one of the top-rated hostels in La Serena. This option comes with tour services and a lounge.
El Arbol Hostel is also known for its customer service, with travellers highlighting the staff for going above and beyond. A lounge and a games room are among its amenities.
Centrally located hostels
A handy location is a big part of the appeal at Hostal Valle Mistral - Hostel. With Wi-Fi, a lounge and more, you get everything you need to enjoy your stay.
Or begin your city break at El Arbol Hostel. Extras like Wi-Fi and a games room add to the comfort of staying at this well-located base.
Hostels near the best attractions in La Serena
Where to stay near Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory is a major astronomical research facility sitting high in the Chilean Andes. It's home to a collection of optical and infrared telescopes, including the Victor M. Blanco Telescope. Scientists from across the world use it to study deep space. If you're searching for hostels near Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, you're based close to one of the Southern Hemisphere's most significant observatories.
Check out Hostal Luna del Mar 840-B for a base near Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. This hostel in La Serena makes a good impression with Wi-Fi, parking and more.
El Arbol Hostel is another option close to this attraction. Amenities such as Wi-Fi and a lounge are just the start of the things you'll find here.
Hostels close to Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is where La Serena slows down and shows its character. People come to sit among the gardens, take in the fountain, and watch the city move at its own pace. It's the kind of place you wander into and end up staying longer than planned. Staying at hostels near Plaza de Armas means you're right where the social energy of the city naturally gathers.
With Plaza de Armas on the itinerary, Hostal Luna del Mar 840-B makes a convenient base. This hostel in La Serena features tour services and a laundry.
You'll also feel right at home at El Arbol Hostel. It's close to this attraction and comes with amenities like a games room and a lounge.
La Serena's Cathedral hostels
The area around hostels near La Serena's Cathedral sits at the heart of the city's historic centre, where Plaza de Armas draws together cafes, craft vendors, and shaded benches. Nearby streets mix local restaurants with small shops selling regional goods. You'll find the pedestrian walkways easy to wander, with plenty of spots to grab a coffee or pick up something made in the Coquimbo region.
Put yourself in a great spot for sightseeing at Hostal Luna del Mar 840-B. This hostel in La Serena comes with heating, Wi-Fi and more.
El Arbol Hostel is another stay close by. Wi-Fi and a lounge are some of the many amenities.
