Inexpensive lodgings in South America

For readers seeking inexpensive but comfortable lodgings in South America, here are some from a stay in February-March ’07. Each had a private bath, cable TV and, where needed, A/C, and all were listed in the Lonely Planet guide as “mid-range accommodations.” The price given for each is the approximate dollar amount for my single room.

• I cannot recommend Hotel Renovación (Av. Este 2 #2, Urb. Los Caobos, Caracas, VENEZUELA; phone +58 [212] 5710133 or fax 5778910).

I selected this hotel because of its proximity to the terminus of the airport bus, but its location on a busy shopping street — a very long walk from the city’s central plaza — proved to be inconvenient for me, though a subway stop was nearby.

This was the only hotel on my trip at which I was asked to pay in advance. I didn’t have enough bolívares to pay in full upon registration. I neglected to get a receipt from the rather unfriendly manager and wonder if I was credited all of the partial payment I made.

At $42, with no amenities other than cable TV, the room was comfortable but no bargain.

• Hotel Ambala (Carrera 5, No. 13-46, Bogotá, COLOMBIA; phone 57-1-341-2376, fax 57-1-337-6593, www.hotelambala.net) — conveniently and attractively located in La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic center, near Plaza Bolívar, the city’s most important square, site of the cathedral, capitol, president’s offices (Casa de Nariño), mayor’s offices and other government buildings, with Bogotá’s modern center a short walk away and many museums within walking distance.

$23, cash or credit card, included transport from the airport. My spacious room lacked A/C, but the fan was sufficient for me. The only negative — the tiny bathroom might be too small for some people.

• Hotel Real Audiencia (Bolívar [220] Oe3-18 y Guayaquil, Quito, ECUADOR; phone 593 [2] 295 2711, fax [2] 2580 213, www.real audiencia.com) — conveniently located in the city’s historic center. Within walking distance of the beautiful Grand Plaza, with its cathedral and Government Palace, and many other tourist sites.

A spacious room at a fantastic bargain: $26, including transport from the airport, full breakfast, unlimited purified water and free use of a computer hooked up to the Internet. The only negative — dim lighting, except in the bathroom.

This hotel had a glass-walled top-floor restaurant overlooking a busy plaza — great for people-watching.

• Hostal La Orquidea (Borrero 9-31 y Bolívar, Cuenca, ECUADOR; phone 593 07 282 4511) — conveniently located one block from the city’s principal plaza, Parque Calderón, and within walking distance of many tourist sites.

Rather a hard bed, but a great bargain nonetheless: $18, with a fridge in the room. Only $1.50 extra for a full breakfast (eggs scrambled with ham; toast with butter and jam; juice, and coffee).

• Hotel Bonbini (Cailloma 209, Lima, PERU; phone 51 1 427 6477 or e-mail hostalbonbini@hotmail. com) — only two blocks from Lima’s main plaza, the magnificent Plaza de Armas, with cathedral, capitol (government palace) and city hall.

The hotel’s charge for transportation from the airport was not a bargain, but it was convenient when arriving at night in a strange city.

Staff appeared to not speak any English, which would be a disadvantage for guests who know no Spanish.

$25 including Continental breakfast (rolls, butter and jam plus juice and coffee), and 25¢ for a second cup of coffee.

• Hotel Cristina (Av. Sol 34, Cuzco, PERU; phone 84 22 7251 or e-mail hcristina@terra.com.pe) — conveniently located on a major street a short walk from the beautiful Plaza de Armas, the city’s principal plaza, and within walking distance of other attractions, though most people will want to take a taxi for the early-morning departure to the train to Machu Picchu.

$30 included transport from the airport and Continental breakfast. Free tea steeped from coca leaves was always available in the lounge.

• Hotel Pukhara (Jr. Libertad 328, Puno, PERU; phone 51 36 8448 or e-mail pukara@terra.com.pe) — conveniently located in the center of Peru’s side of Lake Titicaca.

Attractively decorated. $25 included breakfast on the top-floor glass-roofed restaurant.

KENNETH G. CROSBY

Livingston, TX