Santa Cruz

Situated in the middle of wine-making country, Santa Cruz owes much of its success and popularity among tourists to former arms dealer Carlos Cardoen. He owns the magnificent and swanky Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza which overlooks the Plaza de Armas. Cardoen has also donated countless items to the Museo de Colchagua, the largest private museum in Chile, which showcases artifacts from a  different cultures around the world .

The vineyards of Viu Manent are another popular draw for visitors, though they are located slightly north of Santa Cruz on the Carretera del Vino. There is also an on-site restaurant here, though it is more cost-effective to head back to Santa Cruz’s Plaza de Armas and select one of the many restaurants along the square such as Club Social or Licanrray. And the Vendimia Hotel is a nearby alternative to the high-priced Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza.

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Other places nearby Santa Cruz: Chillán, Sewell, Curicó, Contulmo, San Fernando, Rancagua, Los Angeles, Talca, Constitución and Pichilemu.