He liked what he saw, bought a coffee plantation and designed and built an eco-friendly hideaway using sustainable anti-seismic materials like bamboo. A converted house run and owned by Diego and his friends, there is a vegetable garden, from which they pick veggies each day to make amazingly tasty but cheap food β they even have a vegetarian menu.
The guys will try to help with any problem or query, although they're not fluent in English. There's an area for a bonfire and you can buy alcohol or bring your own; marvel at the fantastic murals, which cover four of the hostal's walls. Yes, this means it's a pain to get to and from β a minute trek in the thick heat or a choppy boat ride. Yes, the owners are slightly eccentric and the service is patchy. But it's cheap and you get to sip generous caipirinhas on a perfect beach shared with a just a few locals, which is surely the whole point of being there.
Call the pousada for prices tommytoofresh. Family-owned and run, it even has a mini spa, with free treatments available. Wonderful returning back after an evening meal to the honesty bar and music chosen by the guests, sitting on the beautiful veranda near to the pool, listening to the sea.
Have been twice and will return! The rooms are basic, but the hospitality is warm, there's a delightful garden and it's in a good location near the bus station. La Serena is a quiet town, near a number of observatories offering stargazing in the Atacama desert β an incredible experience which was certainly one of the highlights of my South American experience. Thoroughly recommended. Ritoque Raices is nestled among the foliage with commanding views of the beautiful beach, popular with local surfers.
I arrived on foot, unable to find the accommodation. I then watched a lone local surfer ride a wave all the way in, pick up his board and jog up the beach towards me. The hostel owner greeted me and led me to the building, a mix of comfortable doubles and dorms. Horse riding and sea-kayaking also possible. It is a wonderful place to spend a few days. Looking out over the glittering flats of the wetlands and the surreal undulating flow of the giant sand dunes, this posada is a peaceful retreat the sound of the Pacific is also therapeutic.
