San Antonio

By Lauren Yero

A grimy port town publicizing its poetic underbelly, San Antonio is Chile’s largest and most important port. Located to the South of more popular tourist destinations like Isla Negra, San Antonio is easily skipped over by many non-Chilean tourists. For most of the year, the city consists primarily of locals going about their business and is relatively safe, but in the summer, Santiago vacationers arrive and the city becomes exponentially more dangerous. That said, for those who want to see more of Chile than the parts typically outlined in the guidebooks. The city of San Antonio is doing a good job of helping tourists get to know the area. You should stop by the tourism office near San Antonio’s Plaza de Armas when you arrive; they’ll give you a packet with excellent information about places to go and things to do in the city.

San Antonio, however, is sorely lacking in a decent selection of cheap accommodation, which tends to be limited to mid-to-high end hotels and cabañas. Bello Horizante, for example, has mid-range cabañas with a highly recommended restaurant and sits on a hill North of the San Antonio city center—inconvenient for those wishing to frequently access the center, but far more tranquil as well. Residencial Tú y Yo, which has a cheery restaurant attached, is two blocks from the tourism office and is for the most part the most economical option you’ll find in town ($10.000/night). Shared and private bathrooms are available, and rooms with a patio and view come at a bit higher price.

In terms of food, there are, of course, lots of restaurants serving fresh, cheap seafood by the harbor. You can also find some fancier options with nice overlooks. Restorán Logroño has pricier dishes in a classy upstairs dining area on a hill. Café Literario La Negra just down the street has tasty sandwiches and fresh juices for a good price in a slightly gaudy but nonetheless comfortable atmosphere. Both restaurants have WIFI access.

In terms of services, the tourism office is located just off the Plaza de Armas, there are several banks around the perimeter of the plaza, and there’s a hospital just south of the Plaza de Armas on 21 de Mayo. On Calle Centenario, you’ll find a currency exchange office, postal services, and phone centers, and just off Centenario on Lauro Barros you’ll find several cyber cafes. Tur Bus and Pullman have multiple offices around the city, the most central on Centenario and Susini.

San Antonio Tourism Office

21 de Mayo #105

Phone: 56 35 231 858

Email: oftursanantonio@gmail.com, website: www.sanantonio.cl)

Café Literario La Negra

Av. Barros Luco # 104

Phone: (35) 21 06 07

Logroño Restoran

21 de Mayo 274

Phone/Fax: (35) 23 36 21

Email: logrono@restorantlogrono.cl, www.restoranlogrono.cl

Residencial Tu y Yo

Blanco Encalada # 289

Phone: 035 21 11 89

Bello Horizonte Cabañas

Av. Antonio Nuñez de Fonseca # 3865

Phone: 35-21 91 15