Barrio Brazil

Bohemian Barrio Brazil is a favorite haunt of students and musicians. The area has great nightlife, good restaurants, a host of museums, and was declared a conservation area by local authorities for the abundance of beautiful old buildings, some predating the early 1900s. Many of the streets are still cobbled, which makes for a romantic ambiance. An insight into the well-to-do society of early 20th century Santiago, Barrio Brazil is a beautiful part of the city, and is worth the visit.

Life in the barrio is centered around Plaza Brazil. During the day, you’ll find children playing amid the sculptures by Federica Matta (daughter of Roberto Matta, a famous Chilean painter). Night transforms the plaza into a meeting point for young people before they go partying in the clubs and bars. The plaza is a short walk from Metro station Cumming (green line). On and around the streets Ricardo Cumming and Av. Brazil you’ll find a wide choice of bars, cafés and restaurants to suit most tastes. Along Calle Concha y Toro (a short distance from Metro station República on line 1, the red line) you’ll discover Zully, a trendy bar and restaurant that draws a crowd for its fancy cocktails.

Culture lovers will find good theaters a few blocks from Metro station República (red line), such as Teatro Palomera. Av. Matucana, near Metro station Quinta Normal (green line), holds The Centro Cultural Matucana 100, a renowned visual art gallery and performing arts venue, along with the Biblioteca de Santiago, the city’s main library.

Quinta Normal, Santiago’s oldest park, founded as a botanical garden in 1830, has it all: Museo de Historia Natural, Museo de Ciencia y Technolgia, Pabellon Gay, Centro Cultural Municipal, Museo Infantil, the Centro de Extensión Balmaceda, Museo de Arte Contempeoráneo, Parque Museo Ferroviario, along with a sports center and Metro Station Quinta Normal (green line). Around the park area you’ll find the Museo Artequin and the Basilica Lourdes. A block away from the park on Escuela Normal is the Museo Pedagologico Gabriella Mistral, named after the famous Chilean writer.

The city’s main railway station, Metro Estación Central (red line), constructed in 1897, boasts an Art Nouveau glass roof. Around the central station are many market stalls and importers, which makes a good stop for the budget shopper.

The metro is an easy way to get around the area, but taxis are necessary after the metro stops running at 10:30 p.m. (10 p.m. on Sundays).

Other neighborhoods in Santiago: Providencia, Cajón del Maipo, Center, Barrio Ñuñoa, Las Condes, Bellavista, Around Santiago and Barrio Lastarria.