Santiago de Chile Travel Guide

A comprehensive travel guide for Santiago de Chile with information on top places to visit, activities, food scene, accommodations, and more.


Introduction to Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile is a vibrant city nestled in central Chile at the base of the Andes Mountains. The city offers a perfect blend of contemporary and historical culture that one cannot find anywhere else. It is a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the essence of Chilean culture.

List of Places to Visit in Santiago de Chile

Here are some popular places to visit in Santiago de Chile:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  1. La Chascona: The former home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda that is now a museum hosting his collections and memorabilia.
  2. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: A national museum featuring an array of Chilean art from different periods.
  3. Palacio de La Moneda: The presidential palace located in the city centre that houses exhibits on Chilean history and culture.
  4. Plaza de Armas: The city’s main public square that is surrounded by historical buildings and monuments.

Natural Attractions of Santiago de Chile: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  1. Parque Bicentenario: A waterfront park with stunning views of the Andes Mountains and a calm lake.
  2. Cerro San Cristobal: A hilltop lookout point overlooking the city that is accessible via funicular railway or on foot.
  3. Cajón del Maipo: The Andean valley located just outside Santiago, offering hiking, horseback riding, and a chance to relax in hot springs.
  4. Valle Nevado: A ski resort located just outside Santiago with runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders and magnificent views of the mountains.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile offers several hiking and biking options that lets travelers experience the city and surroundings in a unique way. Popular routes include the Cerro Manquehue, Cerro San Cristobal, and Quebrada de Macul.

Best Things to Do in Santiago de Chile: Activities and Tours

  1. Take a Walking Tour: Free walking tours are available, which will give you an opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the city.
  2. Visit the Local Markets: Mercado Central and Feria Artesanal Santa Lucia offer a mix of food and handicraft merchandise.
  3. Wine Tasting Tours: Santiago is well-known for producing some of the best wines in the world, and visitors can indulge in wine tastings at vineyards located within an hour or two of the city.
  4. Street Art Tour: Santiago has several regions with large-scale street art dependent on the neighborhoods.

Week-Long Itinerary for Santiago de Chile

One-week itinerary for Santiago de Chile can be as follows:

Day Activity
1 City walking tour & lunch at Mercado Central
2 Visit La Chascona, Parque Bicentenario and Shopping at Paseo El Mañio
3 Day trip to Cajón del Maipo
4 Day trip to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar
5 Visit the museums and historical buildings
6 Wine tasting tour in the wine regions of Maipo, Colchagua, or Casablanca.
7 Hiking in Cerro San Cristobal

Food and Drink Scene of Santiago de Chile

Santiago is known for its traditional cuisine, as well as global fusion dishes thanks to its diversified culture. Here are a couple of must-try dishes and drinks:

Must-Try Dishes

  1. Empanadas: A bit similar to a calzone, filled with different ingredients such as minced meat, cheese, or seafood.
  2. Pastel de Choclo: A Chilean take on shepherd’s pie, made with corn, minced meat, hard-boiled egg, and olives, baked to perfection.
  3. Churrasco: A sandwich made with thinly sliced steak, grilled onions, tomato, mayonnaise, and avocado.
  4. Seafood dishes: Try the seafood dishes such as ceviche, clams, and other seafood-related items.

Local Beverages

  1. Pisco Sour: A cocktail made from Pisco, lemon juice, sugar, and egg whites.
  2. Terremoto: A sweet drink made with pineapple ice cream and pipeño (Chilean wine) topped with grenadine.

Where to Stay in Santiago de Chile: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Santiago offers many accommodations, from high-end hotels to budget-friendly hostels.

Some popular options are:

  1. The Ritz Carlton Santiago: A high-end hotel located in the heart of the city.
  2. Hostal Providencia: A budget-friendly hostel located in the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood.
  3. The Aubrey: An elegant guesthouse situated in the stunning Lastarria neighborhood renowned for its culture, history, and arts.

What to Buy in Santiago de Chile: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Some souvenir ideas for visitors to take home include:

  1. Lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone found only in Chile and Afghanistan, made into jewelry, ornaments, and other decorative items.
  2. Ponchos, shawls, and alpaca wool products made from sheep’s wool.
  3. Copper artisan products such as kitchenware, decorative items from a brand called Chilean House that uses copper in various forms.

Local Culture and Customs of Santiago de Chile

Chile is known for its friendliness and hospitality. In Santiago, people engage in a lot of PDA (Public Display of Affection), and it is considered normal. Chilean culture is known for its strong emphasis on family, so guests should respect that and ensure to be polite and courteous.

Best Time to Visit Santiago de Chile

The best time to visit Santiago de Chile is between March and May and September to November. The weather is warm, the summer crowds have left, and prices are lower.

Do’s and Don’ts of Santiago de Chile

Do:

  1. Use Chilean right for greetings. Use “hola,” “buenos días,” and “adiós” to say hello, good morning, and goodbye.
  2. Explore the restaurants and bars to experience the local cuisine and drink scene.
  3. Take a tour to learn more about the country’s rich history and culture.

Don’t:

  1. Be late for an appointment, as this is considered impolite in Chilean culture.
  2. Bring up politics during conversations, as this can be a touchy subject.

Safety and Health

Safety in Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile is relatively safe, although like any other big city crimes such as pickpocketing are prevalent. Travelers should remain cautious and take care of their belongings and avoid dark alleys at night. It’s imperative to note that afternoons tend to be quieter than evenings when the city comes alive.

Health in Santiago de Chile

Santiago is a safe place when it comes to health. Medical care in Santiago is affordable and of good quality. Tap water is safe to drink, but it may depend on the hotel. Tourists are advised to use bottled water as taxis are known to have food and drinks in them.

Getting to Santiago de Chile: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Santiago de Chile

The primary airport is Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, located 20 km northwest of downtown Santiago.

Bus Stations Near Santiago de Chile

Santiago has several bus stations – Terminal Alameda, Terminal Santiago, and Terminal Pajaritos, among others.

Other Options

Santiago de Chile has a reliable metro and bus system that offers transport to most areas of the city. Taxis are also readily available.

How to Get Around in Santiago de Chile

The best way to get around Santiago de Chile is via taxi. Metro and bus transportation systems are good for getting around but can be congested in peak hours.

Where to Go Next from Santiago de Chile: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Santiago is a perfect starting point for exploring nearby destinations such as:

  1. Valparaiso: A vibrant port city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site centre and stunning street art.
  2. Pomaire: A picturesque village known for its pottery and cuisine.
  3. Cajón del Maipo: The Andean Canyon renowned to cool off from the hot summer days of Santiago.

Conclusion

Santiago de Chile is a diverse and exciting destination for visitors seeking an exceptional experience. With a mix of contemporary and historical culture, Santiago offers an array of attractions for individuals with different interests. From museums, natural attractions, and outdoor adventures, visitors are spoilt for choice. Santiago de Chile is the perfect spot for tourists to experience Chilean culture, fine dining, and nature.

Gran Torre Santiago, the tallest building in Latin America Gran Torre Santiago, the tallest building in Latin America View of the international airport View of the international airport La Estación Central de Santiago, the central station La Estación Central de Santiago, the central station Platforms at Terminal Alameda. Platforms at Terminal Alameda. The Santiago metro system (click to enlarge) The Santiago metro system (click to enlarge) A Transantiago bus A Transantiago bus Palacio de La Moneda Palacio de La Moneda Guitar player in Barrio Lastarria Guitar player in Barrio Lastarria Concha y Toro winery in Puente Alto, northeastern Santiago Concha y Toro winery in Puente Alto, northeastern Santiago El Puente del Inca in Argentina El Puente del Inca in Argentina Handicrafts for sale at Pueblo de los Dominicos Handicrafts for sale at Pueblo de los Dominicos The ''completo'', a hot dog Chilean style, has all sorts of toppings The ''completo'', a hot dog Chilean style, has all sorts of toppings Santiago at night Santiago at night Fans of Universidad Catolica. As with most of Latin America, fans take football seriously here Fans of Universidad Catolica. As with most of Latin America, fans take football seriously here El Colorado ski resort El Colorado ski resort


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