Santiago

V!VA User‘s Description

Slap bang in the middle of Chile, Santiago is a modern city with a European feel, and the place where most visitors begin their trip. It’s not a particularly attractive city, however. Frequent earthquakes have gradually claimed most of the colonial buildings here. It also lacks the 24-hour party reputation of other Latin capitals, so a couple of days should be sufficient to see all the main attractions before heading out into the countryside.

Despite its flaws, Santiago's European feel, and the proliferation of modern conveniences, such as high-quality hotels and restaurants, make the city a good base for exploring the nearby regions. Day or overnight trips to the wine country to the south, the beaches to the west, and the Andean ski resorts to the east can easily be arranged in the capital. See Around Santiago for more information about these day trips.

Must-see sights in Santiago:

The Plaza des Armas is Santiago’s official centre, and is always buzzing with life; schoolchildren, families, workmen on their lunch-break, and tourists, all come here to soak up the atmosphere and watch the world go by.

The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombina shouldn’t be missed; Chile’s most impressive museum, it features 3,000 pieces of Precolombian art from over 1,000 Latin American cultures, all laid out in a manageable and interesting display.

On a clear day, the high Cerro San Cristobal gives fine views over both the city and the Andes. Head up to the summit on the funicular railway and enjoy a picnic in the park at the top.

Barrio Bellavista is Santiago’s Latin Quarter. It gets particularly lively on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when Chileans and foreigners pour into the restaurants, bars, cafes and ‘salsatecas’ that line the narrow streets.