America del Sur Hostel Calafate

It's a great hostel and I wouldn't let the above stop you booking just be wise to it and book the tour elsewhere! Nice hostel, clean, warm with great under floor heating, amazing views, loads of common space, good kitchen, good breakfast included, provide a packed lunch service for only 300 pesso.

I booked the glacier mini trek for two with the hostel which is 6500 pesso each, there is only one company that provide the service so it's the same price everywhere but then I was charged an extra 4%, when i questioned it I was told a reason that changed the more information I asked for. Firstly it was a tax then it was a fee for using a foreign card then it was the charge the hostel has to pay for the use of the card machine then finally told it was a commission! Eventually they just gave me the 4% back. I asked them did they know if you went direct to the companies website you could book it and pay by card with no additional fee and they said yes but they dont pass that information on? Hostels are meant to be there to help backpackers save money not benefit themselves off an already expensive tour! Overall just left a bad taste. When paying for the room they used a 60 pesso to the dollar exchange even though online mine was showing 56, I asked to pay in dollars so I could get my own exchange rate but the guy at the counter said I couldn't, it was his first time checking anyone in but then when paying for food the pesso price on the menu was converted to pay in dollars and when I asked I could pay in either? Also they exchanged the dollar to 60 pesso when charging you but sold the pesso at 55 to the dollar on the same day? They change the practices to suit themselves and you feel like you are getting caught at every angle. Also girl behind the desk with the short hair is just rude, don't know if that was just to us after the 4% ordeal. All other staff are nice and helpful, even the girl that I was dealing with about the tour was nice about it, they just give mixed information which I'm sure is the hostels bad practices and they have to deliver them best they can.