Santiago
Santiago sprawls beneath the snow-capped Andes, and on a clear day the mountain backdrop is staggering. Chile's capital is modern and efficient — the metro system is one of Latin America's best — but the old neighborhoods like Barrio Lastarria and Barrio Italia have the charm. The wine country is at the doorstep, the coast is 90 minutes away, and the skiing is two hours uphill. It's a gateway city that deserves more than just a layover.
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Santiago travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Santiago?
2 to 3 days. Day one: walk Barrio Lastarria, climb Cerro Santa Lucía for views, the Plaza de Armas and Central Market for seafood lunch (the crab and fish stalls are incredible). Day two: La Chascona (Pablo Neruda's house, $8), Mercado La Vega for produce and cheap lunch, and Barrio Italia for antiques and coffee. Day three: wine tour in the Maipo Valley ($60-120 with transport, Concha y Toro is the biggest but smaller boutique vineyards are better). Or ride the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal for panoramic views.
Is Santiago affordable?
Quite affordable by capital city standards. Restaurant meals run $8-18, a glass of excellent Chilean wine $3-6, and a menu del día (lunch special) at local spots is $5-8. Hostels from $15-25/night, mid-range hotels $60-120. The metro is efficient and cheap (700-800 CLP/$0.80-0.95 per ride). Santiago's markets are exceptional for cheap, fresh food. Wine is absurdly cheap even at nice restaurants — a bottle of good Carmenere or Cabernet costs $8-15 at a restaurant.
What can I do outside Santiago?
The options are incredible. Wine country: Maipo Valley (45 min) and Casablanca Valley (1.5 hrs) for wine tasting. Coast: Valparaíso and Viña del Mar (1.5 hrs by bus, $5-8) — Valparaíso is a UNESCO-listed city of colorful hillside houses and street art. Skiing: Portillo, Valle Nevado, and La Parva (June-September, 1.5-2 hrs, lift tickets $40-80). Cajón del Maipo: Andean canyon with hot springs, hiking, and rafting (1 hr east). You can ski in the morning and have wine on the coast by evening.