Santiago, Chile

Travel date October 2022

Why not stay a while?

Welcome to the capital of Chile, Santiago. No matter where you plan to travel within Chile, you will most likely always pass through Santiago. Why not stay a few days to explore?

Transportation in Santiago

The best way to get around Santiago is by the subway. There are plenty of different subway lines that will get you to anywhere you need to go within the city. You can buy a “Bip” card within any subway station. When on the subway, be aware of theft. Try not to take out your phone too much and remember to keep your bag in front of you. Also, it is very likely that you will see people selling items on the train, such as candies, electronics, or small household items. In Chile it is illegal to sell items on the train and illegal to purchase items. So, I would stay clear of these people and politely decline.

Touring Santiago

Santiago, like many capital cities, requires A LOT of walking. So, put on your walking shoes and your smart watch to track your steps. Be sure to check out these major tourist attractions.

  • Santa Lucia: Bring your walking shoes to hike up the hill of Santa Lucia. At the top you’ll get incredible views of the city. Santa Lucia is what remains of a old volcano in Chile. Enjoy the neat architecture as you climb up to 69 meter/230 feet top point.
Santa Lucia park
Santa Lucia

  • Plaza de Armas: Stop buy this beautiful plaza while exploring Santiago. Within the plaza you can find statues, cathedrals, government buildings, street art, and so on.

  • Cerró San Cristóbal: Yes, another hill! This hill is more like a mountain! Of course, you can hike up this hill, but I recommend taking the funicular. It is super cheap and you get incredible views on your way up. On the top of San Cristóbal, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Santiago, along with famous Christian statues and a small chapel. On this hill, you can also find the famous Chilean National Zoo and a Japanese garden.

  • Costanera Center: A SUPER tall mall located just outside the city center. This building happens to be the second tallest building in Latin America, and the largest shopping mall in Latin America. You can take the elevator up to Sky Costanera to get a complete view of Santiago. Tickets cost 12,000 peso for adults and 5,000 pesos for children Monday to Thursday, while Friday to Sunday it is 16,000 pesos for adults and free for children.

  • La Moneda Palace: This is where the Chilean president works and this building holds a lot of history. You can book a tour of the building, but I recommend taking pictures from the outside.

  • Mercado Central: Walk through the biggest market of Santiago. Buy different pastries, breads, cheeses, and typical Chilean dishes.

  • Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago: Beautiful cathedral located in Plaza de Armas. Free entry and very spiritual feeling inside.

  • Templo Baha’i de Sudamérica: Beautiful architecture of this nondenominational temple. From the entrance to the temple, be prepared for a long, steep walk. There is also a shuttle that can take you to the temple for a small fee.

Outside Santiago

Feeling adventurous? Take a few day trips outside of the city center to get a taste of Chile’s incredible nature and activity options.

  • Cajón del Maipo: Rent a car for the day and take a trip to Cajón del Maipo. Enjoy the beautiful mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. Take a hiking trip, or even go rafting!

TIP: The winter in Chile is between the months of June and August. There will most likely be snow in the mountains during these months.

  • Embalse el Yeso: Just a little farther than Cajón del Maipo you can find this beautiful dam among the mountains. Enjoy more incredible scenery as you escape from the fast paced city life.

  • Fantasilandia: Traveling with kids? Or do you have the spirit of a kid? Take a trip to Chile’s biggest amusement park. You can take public transportation to get to this park. The price of the park depends on how tall you are! Prices range between 9,990 to 18,990 pesos. Enter free for those under 90 cm.

  • Agua de la Ramón: Take the metro and a short uber to this ecological park. Enjoy beautiful hiking trails to see rivers, waterfalls, and panoramic views of Santiago