I haven’t recommended you any special place to stay for a while.
When I travel, I sleep in dozens of hotels or apartments rented on Airbnb. However, the places that stay in my heart for a long time occur relatively rare. In these amazing places it’s not just about a big comfortable bed or a nice view, but about the atmosphere that a place creates. I love when the room or house I stay in makes me feel even more connected to the place I explore. When it gives me the atmosphere and energy, it’s kind of icing on the cake.
During the long trip practicality often wins. If I move from one place to another every day, the accommodation it’s not so important to me, because I do not spend much time in it. However, whenever I can, I try to make a balance in my travels and divide them between an intense sightseeing and a quiet time in one place.
It was exactly the case with this unique cottage house on Atacama Desert in Chile. I got lots of questions from you on my Instagram, so today I’ll show you the details.
Before I got to the middle of the desert, I did a very intense exploration of the Argentinian Patagonia. I had several trekking tours (like the one on Perito Moreno Glacier) and many flights. So I dreamed of settling down for a while. I chose Atacama for that. Firstly, I had to spend a bit of time on it. The amount of things to see there is mind blowing!. Secondly, as soon as I found the cottage house on Booking.com, I already knew that whatever was going to happen – I have to spend there at least a few days. The place has an excellent opinion (9.9 on Booking.com) and it was almost fully booked, but I guess I was lucky that time and I rented it for a week.
The owners of Casita la Brea built and arranged it according to their own design, creating a place different from any other. They are incredibly helpful and I could count on them. Moreover, they gave me many great tips about exploring the area.
The house is located about 7 km from the town of San Pedro de Atacama, which rather has a backpacker vibes and mainly offers hostels. If someone is looking for a little different atmosphere, then will have nothing to choose from in San Pedro. It also makes the house such a special place, because it offers a really high standard.
The house has two large bedrooms with the huge windows overlooking the desert.
Each bedroom has its own bathroom and an additional outdoor shower. This is something amazing! Imagine how it is to take a hot shower at 7 degrees Celsius (the evenings on the desert are chilly), having an endless sky full of stars above the head. A real fairy tale. And a genius idea!
Kitchen is the central part of the house and is a common space.
Likewise the terrace located in front of the house. You can admire sunrises every day.
I do not have to tell you how morning coffee tastes with a view of the mountains and endless desert ;)
Besides, the terrace is a perfect place for training or yoga session.
It’s fantastic that the house has its own solar panels and the energy comes only from the sun. It is therefore self-sufficient and environment friendly. However, it’s a challenge to get to the house, because it was built literally in the middle of the desert (but close to astronomical observatory, which is an asset!). It’s necessary to have a good car (preferably off-road) to reach the place. There is no road there, so you need to follow the “signs”, which are white-painted stones: D
When I stayed there, I experienced a heavy rain several times (On a desert? How come?! – you think. I guess I was unlucky about the weather :D). It means that everything became muddy. There was also absolutely no light in the area, so one evening I had a crazy off-road in the dark. At least it wasn’t boring ;)
There are few things about Casita la Brea that make it unique to me:
1. Definitely, the location of the house – in the middle of the nature and very silent area. A perfect place for chillout.
2. Views, views and once more the views – the desert, which blooms and is surrounded by snowy mountains, just blow the mind off.
3. Interior decoration – full of details and local art.
4. Terrace – my favorite place. Great for morning coffee or book reading in the evening. And after moving the furniture I had a place for yoga.
5. Stars at night. Because the house is distant from San Pedro, lights do not disturb star watching.
Admiring them right from your bed is a dream. Casita La Brea is one of the most magical places I have ever stayed in during my road trip in South America. If you are planning your stay in this area then I would highly recommend to include this place in your plans.
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