Bolivia: Exploring the South Lipez by Self-Drive (page 4 of 21)

A140 dollars in a hostel, I found that...

Yeah, especially for the services. Now there’s hot water and the heating works, but the room price has really gone up. 😐 Luckily, we had some cheaper nights and even free stays to balance the budget.

Cheaper or even free options—gotta meet my standards...😉😉

Now there's hot water and the heating works, but the room price has really gone up. Dubious

You’ve piqued my curiosity. I checked the new rates, and they’re almost the same as in 2013.

Did you end up paying way more just because you didn’t book in advance?

In 2013, it was in a Bob. The price is the same, but in USD... 🚙😂🚙 And when someone mentions the South Lipez to me, this is more what comes to mind in terms of accommodation... We don’t share the same values!! 😎

In 2013, hotels for tourists were listing their prices in dollars...😇

You piqued my curiosity. I checked the new rates, and they’re almost the same as in 2013.😮

Did you end up paying way more because you didn’t book in advance???

Which site did you look at?

We paid 1408 BOB with dinner and breakfast included. If I convert that to dollars using Oanda, it comes to $220. If I remember correctly, the room with just breakfast (no dinner) was $180.

If I pretend to book a standard double room with a view of the Salar for October 2020, here’s what I find:

On the hotel’s website, it’s $186 (to get this rate, you can’t just look at the first price shown—you have to go all the way through the booking process).

On Booking.com, "our" room is 190 € with free cancellation. If you complete the booking, it says: pay on-site, $208.

Still on Booking.com, the same room but non-refundable is 171 €, and you pay $188 on-site.

Wow, it's still really expensive! 🤪

And here I was complaining about paying 10 bob for a hot shower 😛...

Wow, it’s still really expensive 🤪

Yeah, it’s pricey.😐 But for me, staying in a salt hotel is a must when you’re in this region. The hotel is really beautiful!

And here I was complaining about paying 10 bob for a hot shower 😛...

You’ll see, we’ve seen worse... At the Hotel Los Flamingos, it was a total scam. But generally, you can find very decent places at affordable prices.

Personally, I found Bolivia to be a cheap country for us Europeans. At least, traveling in Bolivia is way less expensive than traveling in Southern Africa. I’m currently making our bookings for Peru, and overall, the country seems a lot pricier than Bolivia.

Hey, you sleep wherever you want—we only live once!

Peru is noticeably more expensive than Bolivia because it’s more touristy and has a less favorable exchange rate.

That said, these are still very affordable destinations. So a $180 hotel better be flawless...

Let’s reassure your readers right away: there are MUCH cheaper salt hotels in the area... 😉

Let’s reassure your readers right away: there are waaaay cheaper salt hotels in the area.... 😉

Yeah, but waaaay less beautiful.😛

A few more photos to tempt you. Taken the next morning.









The rest is here: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9901770;a=9901770

Hi, During our trip through the South Lipez, we stayed in several salt hotels at very affordable prices. I would’ve gladly tried something more luxurious, at least for one night, but the price difference is just too big!

Hi there,

This was our "luxury" stop and the only night in a salt hotel. But the value for money was definitely there.

Between our nights with locals, in the car, guest houses, and hotels, the average price per night ended up being really reasonable.

Carmen

Yeah, it's expensive.😐 But for me, staying in a salt hotel is a must when you're in this region. The hotel is really beautiful!

Oh yeah, I’d forgotten that detail, which might explain the price

Hi Carmen. I completely agree with you. I also base my budget on an average cost for accommodation over the whole trip. If I sleep in the car several times, it’s a real treat afterward to spend a night in a nice hotel with total comfort. And good for those who can afford luxury every night, even if it’s not easy in the South Lipez. I do the same with food—every now and then, a good restaurant makes a nice change from "snacking," it’s good for morale and health. A moment of relaxation after a "long ride." Bernard.

Which site did you check?

I looked on Booking and compared it with the room I had booked back then (there was only one option, available as a double bed or two single beds) under the same conditions (non-refundable, 2 nights, and breakfast included).

The room you rented didn’t exist in 2013. I assume it was part of the wing that was under construction at the time.

The hotel had some lovely little rooms in the restaurant section and a few duds in a wing at the very end. The common areas were gorgeous.

No matter the era, I think they overcharge—the value for money is poor. That goes for all the salt hotels claiming to have heating or hot water. Guests who really want a bit of comfort or just a nice atmosphere are captive customers due to the lack of options and likely price-fixing.

The isolation factor doesn’t hold up in the Luna Salada area. There’s a road and electricity. Even with that criterion, other moderately developed countries manage to do much better.

My experience was mixed because of unmet promises and unpleasant management.

Your experience—and others’—was good. That’s what matters in the end. Being happy. 🙂

I also like to stay at least once during a trip in a place that wows me based on my own standards. Sometimes that wow place is expensive, sometimes it’s not.

In Bolivia, it was the one near Sucre that blew me away more than the salt hotel.

(A trip budget is whatever you want or can afford. Accommodation choices reflect a personal way of life. It’s always a bit tricky to talk about certain prices... 😉)

The experience was mixed for me due to unmet promises and an unpleasant management.

I think the hotel has gone through quite a few changes. A large part seems to be renovated. Our room was well-heated, and it wasn’t cold at all in the dining room. We had hot water—even *very* hot. The room was very clean. That last criterion is important to me. But maybe not all rooms are equal, so it’s worth checking.

We were charmed by the common areas. The many small lounges are great for spending the evening.

The breakfast buffet was really good, with lots of choices. We weren’t even the first ones there. The staff was friendly. They even made a phone call for us.

I also like to stay at least once during a trip in a place that wows me based on my criteria. Sometimes that wow place is expensive, sometimes it’s not.

Yes, us too, but the wow factor isn’t necessarily tied to a room. Other criteria can play a role. I agree with you—a cheap place can also be wow. 🙂 And even a night in the car, in a spectacular spot, can be wow. 😉

(A trip’s budget is what you want or can afford to spend. The choice of accommodations also reflects a personal lifestyle. It’s always a bit tricky to mention certain prices... Wink)

True, sometimes it can be tricky. But these days, with the internet, everyone can look up prices. After all, everyone spends their money how they want. 😉