Hospedajes,Residencias, Albergues And Pensiones

These categories of accommodation are all used throughout South America, and are pretty much interchangeable terms although pensiones (known as pensoes in Portuguese) and residenciales are officially the most basic forms of accommodation.

Generally, the Andean countries are the least expensive, and you should be able to find a decent residencial or pensión for under US$8. For this price you should expect a bed and maybe a desk and chair, but little else – you will have to share a bathroom, and the water may or may not be hot, or may be hot for just a few hours a day.

In Brazil, the room cost will usually include breakfast but most other places are room only. In the south of Argentina and Chile, you can expect to spend around US$40 a night – check out the quality of the local casas familiares (family houses where you stay with a local family in a room