In a historic district house, the HI representative is Hostal Airesbuenos Casona (General Lagos 1036, tel. 063/206304, www.airesbuenos.cl, US$10 pp–US$25/31 s/d), which has mostly dorms with shared bath but also spacious private rooms with baths. Rates include breakfast, and it also offers amenities such as wireless Internet, a book exchange, and parking.

Under the same Argentine management, Hostal Airesbuenos Central (García Reyes 550, tel. 063/222202, www.airesbuenos.cl, US$10 pp–US$28/34 s/d) is a refurbished townhouse on a quiet block midway between the bus terminal and Plaza de la República. It’s not yet the finished product of its sister hostel, but it’s getting there.

At the north end of town, the independent Hostal Totem (Carlos Anwandter 425, tel. 063/292849, www.turismototem.cl, US$10 pp–US$22/28 s/d) can’t match the historic style of Airesbuenos, but it has both dorms and more spacious, luminous rooms with private baths and cable TV. It also has wireless Internet but lacks parking.

Down the block, Hostal Anwandter (Anwandter 601, tel./fax 063/218587, www.valdiviachile.cl/anwandter.php, US$19/23–28/37 s/d with breakfast) has 10 rooms with either shared or private bath; the latter also have cable TV.

Half a block west of the bus terminal, Hostal Casa Grande (Carlos Anwandter 880, tel./fax 063/202035, US$22/33 s/d) has river-view rooms with private bath and cable TV. The handsome Hostal Esmeralda (Esmeralda 651, tel. 063/215659, US$22/37 s/d with private bath) occupies a site on the same block with several popular restaurants and pubs.

At the north end of town, Hostal Prat (Av. Prat 595, tel./fax 063/222020, US$28/37 s/d with private bath and breakfast) overlooks the Calle Calle. The more central Hospedaje Internacional (García Reyes 660, tel. 063/212015, www.valdiviachile.cl/internacional.php, US$19/26–28/37 s/d with breakfast) has rooms with either shared or private bath.

In an excellent location, Hostal Dónde Marcelo (Janequeo 355, tel./fax 063/205295, dondemarcelo [at] valdiviachile [dot] cl, US$33/37 s/d) has rooms with private bath, parking, and cable TV. Too many beds clutter some rooms, though, the mattresses are soft, and the breakfast is mediocre.

In a good residential neighborhood, staffed by responsive personnel, Hostal Villa Paulina (Yerbas Buenas 389, tel. 063/212445, leha [at] surnet [dot] cl, US$28/37 s/d with private bath) occupies a handsome historic building.

Well-located, worn but not frayed, Hostal Torreón (Pérez Rosales 783, tel. 063/212622, hctorreon [at] entelchile [dot] net, US$19 pp with breakfast) is an older but well-kept building that enjoys an ample setback from the street.