One of my favorite parts of leading EveryQueer tours is the people I meet along the way. Sure, the destinations are stunning and the itineraries are packed with incredible experiences, but it’s the conversations over breakfast, the sharing of goals and dreams both personally and professionally, and the friendships that surprise me every time. That’s how I first met Cris kind, thoughtful, endlessly curious, and so well-traveled they could have written their own guidebook. We first connected on an EveryQueer trip to Mexico with Belmond, and later, in one of those “small world” moments that make queer travel so special, I randomly ran into Cris at the San Telmo market during our Pride trip in Argentina. Running into someone you know halfway across the world, in a bustling market thousands of miles from home it was one of those funny reminders of how connected our community really is.
So when Cris reached out to share the news that they had opened a queer hostel, The Cool Hostel, in Coquimbo, Chile, I couldn’t wait to tell you about it. Not only because it’s a must-visit destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, but also because it’s a story of bravery, resilience, and chasing a dream that feels so aligned with the EveryQueer spirit.
A Dream Rooted in Travel
Cris spent nearly a decade living out of a suitcase, traveling the world, and soaking in the richness of international life. “I loved the freedom, the connections, and the constant flow of meeting new people,” Cris told me. But by the time they turned 29, that lifestyle began to feel unsustainable. “I wanted a home, something grounding but I wasn’t ready to give up everything I loved about traveling.”
The spark came after our Cancún trip with EveryQueer. Cris spent a month afterward wandering through small towns in Mexico, staying in hostels and embracing spontaneity. That trip planted the seed: what if they could create a space of their own, something that combined the freedom of travel with the stability of home?
By December 2025, things started falling into place. Cris’s brother, who lives in Chile, called to say he’d found the perfect property in Coquimbo. Within two weeks, Cris and their best friend (who flew in from Argentina without hesitation) were signing the lease. The dream was suddenly very real.
Building More Than a Hostel
Of course, dreams aren’t built without a few sleepless nights. “Running a hostel feels a lot like raising a baby,” Cris laughed. Renovating the space turned out to be far more challenging and expensive than expected. Navigating construction, managing teams, and learning on the fly left Cris exhausted. “If I had known then what I know now, I probably could have saved thousands of dollars. But the only way to learn was by living it.”
Despite the chaos, something beautiful started to emerge. The hostel began welcoming guests. Word spread quickly, especially after Cris made it clear they wanted this to be “the gayest hostel in the country.” Six months later, the hostel is thriving. The pool is open, the beds are full, and the communal spaces are alive with conversation, creativity, and connection.
Why This Hostel Matters for Queer Travelers
What sets this hostel apart isn’t just the location (though being steps from the beach doesn’t hurt). It’s the intention.
“This hostel was born out of a deep love for connection,” Cris explained. The communal areas are designed for interaction, with locals invited to join in. Weekly activities range from surf sessions and yoga classes to queer meetups, painting clubs, and live music. “Everything is created by the community, for the community.”
And inclusivity is at the heart of it all. “As a lesbian, it’s incredibly important to me that this space is truly queer-friendly. I want every person who walks through our doors to feel safe, seen, and welcome.”
That commitment shows up in the details. Guests can choose between capsule-style beds or private apartments. On-site amenities include a swimming pool and easy access to four restaurants: Italian, Japanese, Venezuelan-American fusion, and a dessert-focused café, as well as a lively bar. It’s affordable, stylish, and buzzing with queer energy.
Carving Out Queer Space in Chile
Coquimbo and neighboring La Serena are vibrant, coastal cities known for their nightlife. But when Cris arrived, they noticed something missing. “Daytime spaces for the queer community were basically nonexistent,” Cris said. “Everything was centered on nightlife and alcohol.”
So they created something different. During the day, the hostel’s communal area doubles as a café and creative hub where locals drop in for tea, music, and workshops. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from queer women who finally have a safe, welcoming daytime hangout.
Cris is also quick to note that while Chile is generally LGBTQ+ friendly, their journey as a queer entrepreneur hasn’t been without hurdles. In the early days of construction, they often struggled to be taken seriously in a male-dominated industry. “Even though I was paying the bills, I sometimes had to speak through my architect just to be heard,” Cris said. But in the end, the project became something even more meaningful: a queer woman-owned business run entirely by queer women.
A Community Beyond Four Walls
The hostel isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s a hub for queer community. Cris has built strong connections with local LGBTQ+ businesses, including a legendary drag bar just five minutes away. Performers often stay at the hostel and even use its spaces to record a drag-focused podcast. Local DJs, artists, and creatives are constantly collaborating, turning the hostel into a stage for queer expression.
It’s this openness this willingness to share the space, that makes the hostel feel less like a business and more like a movement.
What to Do While You’re There
Of course, Coquimbo is also a destination in its own right. Cris insists no traveler should miss:
- Valle del Elqui – Just an hour away, this valley is known for some of the clearest skies on Earth. Stargazing here is otherworldly, especially from an outdoor jacuzzi.
- Wineries & Pisqueras – Sample Chile’s famous wines and pisco, the country’s national spirit.
- Whale Watching – A serene boat ride reveals whales, sea lions, and penguins along the coast.
- Summer Beach Events – From December to March, the coastline is alive with concerts, pop-ups, and cultural festivals.
How to Support & Stay
The best way to support Cris’s dream? Visit The Cool Hostel. Capsule beds start at $290/month, while private apartments (available April through December) begin at $725/month, including full services. Whether you’re looking for a short getaway, a longer stay with co-working, or a base to learn Spanish, the hostel offers a queer, community-driven alternative to mainstream accommodations.
And the team isn’t slowing down. They’re already working on opening a vegan restaurant on-site, adding yet another layer to the space’s appeal.
If you can’t book a stay, yet, give them a follow!
A Small World, A Big Dream
When I think back to running into Cris at the San Telmo market, I can’t help but smile. What are the odds of bumping into someone you know in the middle of Argentina, halfway across the world from where you first met? But that’s the beauty of queer travel: the world feels a little smaller, a little kinder, and a lot more connected.
Cris’s hostel is proof of that. It’s more than a place to stay, it’s a space born from a traveler’s heart, built with resilience, and designed to uplift our community. For EveryQueer travelers heading to Chile, Coquimbo isn’t just a stop on the map anymore. It’s a place to call home with one of our own.
