If coming from Argentina, you may need to spend the night here. However, it’s better to continue to your next destination if you can, as Osorno has limited lodging choices. Truly budget hostels are generally very basic, some bordering on dives. The more decent places are booked up by construction workers. Look for inns that advertise “habitaciones para vendadores y turistas,” meaning only travelers are accepted.

December-late February the city maintains a campground, Camping Municipal Olegario Mohr, which has bathrooms and electricity (off Ruta 5 near Aceso Avenida René Soriano; microbus “Universidad”; $18-20 per site). In summer the government also opens an albergue (bunkhouse) on Ruta J50; ask at the municipal tourism kiosk on the Plaza de Armas for more information.