{"id":1276463,"date":"2026-06-24T15:39:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T15:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=1276463"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:17:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:17:08","slug":"sustainability-stories-pride-place-purpose-how-the-cool-hostel-built-a-queer-friendly-space-rooted-in-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/sustainability-stories-pride-place-purpose-how-the-cool-hostel-built-a-queer-friendly-space-rooted-in-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability Stories: Pride, Place &#038; Purpose \u2013 How The Cool Hostel built a queer-friendly space rooted in community"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"width: 1080px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-1276463-1\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1920\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hostelworld-x-TCH-resized.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hostelworld-x-TCH-resized.mp4\">https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hostelworld-x-TCH-resized.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThe Cool Hostel, where you can show up exactly as you are.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusivity and diversity.<\/p>\n<p>But in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/pwa\/s?q=Coquimbo,%20Chile&amp;country=Chile&amp;city=Coquimbo&amp;type=city&amp;id=4130&amp;from=2026-06-19&amp;to=2026-06-22&amp;guests=2&amp;page=1\" class=\"post links\">Coquimbo<\/a>, Northern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/chile\/\" class=\"post links\">Chile<\/a>, one hostel is building that \u2013 not just for a moment, but every single day.<\/p>\n<p>We met Cris Sankari, co-founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/pwa\/hosteldetails.php\/The-Cool-Hostel\/Coquimbo\/331353?from=2026-06-19&amp;to=2026-06-22&amp;guests=2\" class=\"post links\">The Cool Hostel<\/a>, the first queer hostel in the region, to understand how a traveller-led idea turned into a space built on connection and care.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>From constant travel to coming home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Before opening the hostel, Cris and her business partner spent years travelling the world as digital nomads.<\/p>\n<p>But after many years of working remotely, they found themselves missing something: a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe were always moving around, travelling constantly, and being surrounded by people from around the world, but in a way that always felt temporary and rushed.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>As their lifestyles evolved, so did their needs.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe no longer had the same energy for nightlife, and it became harder to find LGBTQ+ spaces that existed during the day, spaces designed for real connection.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>When they returned home to Coquimbo, to reconnect with friends and family, they realised that kind of space didn\u2019t exist either \u2013 social, welcoming, queer-friendly and intentional.<\/p>\n<p>So, they built it.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Building what didn\u2019t exist <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Cool Hostel didn\u2019t start with a traditional business plan; it started from a need.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cA space built around everything we had always wished existed for us and shaped by all the lessons our travels had given us over the years.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>When an abandoned property became available behind a family restaurant, the decision came quickly.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIt felt like now, or never.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>What followed was a hands-on build, navigating construction and project management challenges as female founders, and shaping the space from the ground up.<\/p>\n<p>All with one goal in mind: a space where people feel comfortable being themselves, and where connection happens naturally, without pressure.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More than a label or symbol<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276472\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-169x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1059-scaled.jpeg 1439w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276474\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-169x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3599-scaled.jpeg 1439w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For The Cool Hostel, being LGBTQ+ isn\u2019t about decoration or branding; it\u2019s about the people and how the space feels.<\/p>\n<p>And it starts with removing a question many travellers carry:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Am I truly welcome here?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The answer is built into every experience:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd1d Staff chosen for empathy and openness<\/p>\n<p>\u2600\ufe0f\u00a0Social spaces designed for connections<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa8 Community-led events (yoga, live music, painting clubs, etc.)<\/p>\n<p>Inspired partly by Cris\u2019 time in New York, where queer identity was embedded in daily life, the hostel recreates that same sense of ease and belonging.<\/p>\n<p>At the centre of this is one key (and beloved) space, a combined coworking and social area.<\/p>\n<p>By day:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcbb Remote working<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf73 Community kitchens<\/p>\n<p>\u2615 Relaxed coffee conversations<\/p>\n<p>By night:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfb6 Live music<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf08 Queer-themed events<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa8 Workshops and gatherings<\/p>\n<p>This is where the magic happens \u2013 bringing people together, without forcing interactions.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pride in practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inclusivity here isn\u2019t written in the rules; it\u2019s experienced through the culture and the people behind it.<\/p>\n<p>Intentional human interactions, including:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd1d Proactively connecting guests<\/p>\n<div>\ud83d\udcac Social awareness \u2013 noticing when someone feels isolated<\/div>\n<p>\ud83d\udc9b Supporting guests without pressure<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIf someone arrives alone, we introduce them to others. If someone feels uncomfortable or isolated, we notice it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The result: a space that feels safe, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming.<\/p>\n<p>The hostel is proudly queer-focused and openly communicates that. It also welcomes guests beyond the LGBTQ+ community who respect the space and the environment of the hostel.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe\u2019re very clear about who we are, and people naturally adapt to that energy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Sometimes that leads to quiet moments of reflection.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThe most positive changes happen simply by sharing space, conversations, and experiences together.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Sustainability rooted in community<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>At The Cool Hostel, sustainability goes beyond environmental impact.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about building something that supports people long-term.<\/p>\n<p>Showing up through:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa8 Supporting local artists, creators, and businesses<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcac Hosting community-led workshops and events<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\uddd8 Creating space for wellbeing (yoga, social activities)<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udde0 Providing emotional support, including an on-site psychology consultation space<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd57 Offering plant-based, well-being-focused food options<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cFor us, sustainability means creating a space where people, ideas, art, local culture, and wellbeing can coexist and support each other.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It also exists in everyday moments:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf31 Small acts of care from staff<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf0d Open, inclusive environments<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd1d Accessible, human relationships between guests and staff<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Challenges \u2013 and why they matter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1276469\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3eb45f07-0c08-4898-8055-b49d70f448b0-1-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"555\" height=\"417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3eb45f07-0c08-4898-8055-b49d70f448b0-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3eb45f07-0c08-4898-8055-b49d70f448b0-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3eb45f07-0c08-4898-8055-b49d70f448b0-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3eb45f07-0c08-4898-8055-b49d70f448b0-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/3eb45f07-0c08-4898-8055-b49d70f448b0-1.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Running an independent, queer-focused hostel comes with its challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, in Chile, where LGBTQ+ acceptance is relatively high, challenges are less about direct discrimination and more about operations: seasonality in a tourist destination.<\/p>\n<p>Visibility during the low season, between April and August, when tourism naturally slows, means more work around showing travellers that it\u2019s still a great time to visit Coquimbo, with the added benefit of significantly lower prices.<\/p>\n<p>Another challenge is managing guest expectations, which can vary. Some guests arrive expecting a constant party environment, while others expect something exclusively centred on queer identity.<\/p>\n<p>In reality, The Cool Hostel sits right in between: A space designed for connections and accessible to all types of travellers.<\/p>\n<p>Limited resources can also be a challenge at times, like many independent projects. But rather than restricting the hostel\u2019s growth and development, it\u2019s helped shape the personality and strong sense of community:<\/p>\n<p>More collaborative.<br \/>\nMore human.<br \/>\nMore community-driven.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The most meaningful moments are often unplanned.<\/p>\n<p>Cris recalls a guest who extended their one-night stay after finding something unexpected:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cHe said he didn\u2019t want to leave because he had found the hostel to be such a peaceful, healing place.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>What made this moment impactful wasn\u2019t just that he enjoyed his stay, but that the space seemed to give him a sense of calm and connection that he wasn\u2019t expecting to find.<\/p>\n<p>A welcome reminder that hospitality can go far beyond simply providing a place to stay; it can have a profoundly lasting effect on someone&#8217;s life.<\/p>\n<p>From the community, for the community: creating spaces where <strong><em>everyone<\/em><\/strong> is welcome, <strong>today <\/strong>and<strong> every day <\/strong><strong>\ud83c\udf08<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>If you&#8217;re visiting Coquimbo, here are a few of Cris&#8217; local recommendations:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\ud83c\udf0c <strong>Valle del Elqui<\/strong> \u2013 for its world-famous observatories, known for having some of the clearest skies on the planet. Stargaze and see the Milky Way in unreal clarity, something you won\u2019t soon forget.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf47 <strong>Pisco distilleries &amp; vineyards \u2013 <\/strong>explore a region deeply rooted in wine and pisco culture, with beautiful wineries, tastings and some of the most important pisco producers in Chile. Nature, local tradition and slow travel at its core.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc0b <strong>Whale &amp; penguin tours<\/strong> \u2013 experience the incredible marine life of Northern Chile up close.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf05 <strong>Pueblito Pe\u00f1uelas<\/strong> \u2013 right in front of the hostel, one of the most iconic coastal areas in Coquimbo. A beachfront neighbourhood filled with local restaurants, caf\u00e9s, bars, craft shops, live music and ocean views.<\/p>\n<p>Slow down and relax into the pace of the region &#8211; meet the locals and watch the sunset. Or for something a little more adventurous, go a little further and try sandboarding nearby.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s something here for every kind of traveller.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; \u201cThe Cool Hostel, where you can show up exactly as you are.\u201d Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusivity and diversity. But in Coquimbo, Northern Chile, one hostel is building that \u2013 not just for a moment, but every single day. We met Cris Sankari, co-founder of The Cool Hostel, the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":204,"featured_media":1276466,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10211,9473],"tags":[263600,261844,263598,263602,17979,261838],"class_list":["post-1276463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sustainability","category-travel-tips","tag-chile-es","tag-community","tag-coquimbo","tag-pride-es","tag-sustainability","tag-sustainability-stories","authors-stephanie-stewart","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sustainability Stories: Pride, Place &amp; Purpose \u2013 How The Cool Hostel built a queer-friendly space rooted in community - Hostelworld Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how The Cool Hostel, built the first queer\u2011friendly hostel in Coquimbo, Northern Chile - creating a space rooted in community.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/sustainability-stories-pride-place-purpose-how-the-cool-hostel-built-a-queer-friendly-space-rooted-in-community\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sustainability Stories: Pride, Place &amp; 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