La Torre Suiza

Welcome to La Torre Suiza, your backpacker hostel in Villarrica, Chile. Spend a few days with us in the Chilean Lake District and explore the country's most beautiful area with its volcanoes, lakes, rivers, national parks and hot springs.

La Torre Suiza is an ideal backpacker hostel for the budget traveler. A cosy wooden Swiss-chalet with a unique atmosphere, it's a real home away from home. Villarrica is the perfect base to climb the volcano Villarrica and to explore the surrounding area. We're also well known among cyclists, as we ourselves have cycled around half the world.

We offer the following:
* Fully equipped kitchen
* Book swap
* Detailed information of the area
* Bicycle rental
* Selfguided mountain bike tours

* Garden area
* Car and motorbike parking
* Luggage storage
* Self guided tours
* Guided excursions: Hiking, Biking, Sightseeing, Hot Springs
* Climbing the active Volcano Villarrica

Directions

Villarrica is situated 865 km south of the capital Santiago in the Chilean Lake District. There are direct buses from all the major cities, including Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, Talca, Chillan, Los Angeles, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt. There's also a daily connection to San Martin de los Andes in Argentina.

La Torre Suiza is located three blocks from the bus terminal at 969 Francisco Bilbao. For directions ask a taxi driver, they all know the gringo place in town. When getting off the bus try to avoid the touts. Some of them pretend to be from La Torre Suiza or even lead you in a wrong direction.

There is a modern train connecting Santiago and Temuco. Both day and night connections are available. From Temuco it's only a one hour's bus ride to Villarrica.

Temucos national Airport Maquehue is 5 km south of the city. There are several connections to Santiago and all major cities in Chile. From Temuco it's only a one hour's bus ride to Villarrica. It takes a bit more than one hour from Santiago, the fares are around 100 US$ one way. You can hire cars at the airport, prices start at 30 US$ per day for the smallest ones.

Chile's only north - south connection is the famous Panamericana (Road number 5). It's paved the entire way of 3353 km from Arica in the North down to Quellon on Chiloe Island. Cyclists can use the paved shoulder on each side of the road. There is heavy traffic around Santiago and the bigger cities, apart from that it's not too bad but quite boring. From Santiago, follow the Panamericana to Temuco (677 km). In Freire, 27 km further south, turn left towards Villarrica.

Facilities

Breakfast Included, Bicycle Hire, Linen Included, Security Lockers, Luggage Storage, Children Friendly, Guest Kitchen, Travel Desk/Travel Info, Common Room, Bike Parking, Free Carpark, Non Smoking