I think I might melt Pisco Elqui, Chile

Hostal with no name Calle Centenario, at the top left corner of the plaza principal 7,000 pesos and a nice man who really knows how to cook

We visited Pisco Elqui (about 2 hours from La Serena) for all of 24 hours. This small town sits in Elqui Valley and is known for it´s green vineyards and papaya groves. During the nauseating trip there (does anyone know how to drive not like a wacko in this continent??!) we passed a bright blue lake and miles of green... everything in this dry, brown valley. It really was stunning.

But... the 9000 degree punch in the face as we got off the bus, was not so stunning. We decided immediately we wouldn´t be staying long. The heat was so stifling, we honestly couldn´t move until sundown. We parked ourselves at a local restaurant, listened to live harp music (WTF?) and drank/ate our mote con huesillos.

One lap around the plaza, a walk long enough to be told "There´s only private property around here." and a quick inquiry at the Mistral vineyard ($10 a tour. They make the Chilean liquor, Pisco) we stayed the night but decided we didn´t have enough money for this town. The next day, just as the morning sun started microwaving this small town, we hopped on a bus and enjoyed the equally breathtaking bus ride back to La Serena :)

If you don´t have alot of money or tolerance for oven-like heat, make Pisco Elqui a day trip.