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Santiago Travel Guide - Travel S Helper

Santiago

travel guide

Santiago, often spelled Santiago de Chile, is Chile’s capital and biggest city. Additionally, it is the hub of the city’s greatest conurbation. Santiago is situated in the middle valley of the nation, 520 meters (1,706 feet) above mean sea level.

Santiago was founded in 1541 and has served as Chile’s capital city since colonial times. The city’s historic center consists of neoclassical buildings from the nineteenth century and meandering side streets sprinkled with art deco, neo-gothic, and other styles. Santiago’s urban landscape is influenced by various isolated hills and the swiftly flowing Mapocho River, which is flanked by parks such as Parque Forestal. The Andes Mountains are visible from almost every place in the city. These mountains contribute significantly to the pollution issue, especially during the winter. Santiago is surrounded by vineyards on its outskirts and is just a few hours from both the Alps and the Pacific Ocean.

Santiago is Chile’s cultural, political, and financial capital, and is home to several international firms’ regional offices. Chile’s executive and judicial branches are headquartered in Santiago, although Congress is mostly based in neighboring Valparaiso. Santiago is named for St. James, a biblical character.

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Santiago | Introduction

Santiago – Info Card

POPULATION : • City 6,158,080
• Urban 5.1 million
• Metro 7.2 million
FOUNDED :   12 February 1541
TIME ZONE : • Time zone CLT (UTC−4)
• Summer (DST) CLST (UTC−3)
LANGUAGE :  Spanish
RELIGION :
AREA :  641 km2 (247.6 sq mi)
ELEVATION :   521 m (1,706 ft)
COORDINATES :  33°27′S 70°40′W
SEX RATIO :
ETHNIC :
AREA CODE :  2
POSTAL CODE :   8320000
DIALING CODE :  +56 2

Tourism in Santiago

Santiago is Chile’s capital and economic hub. It is also the country’s political and cultural hub, with several museums, events, theaters, restaurants, pubs, and other recreational and cultural options. Its center position in the nation gives it an excellent base for seeing other parts of the country, and it is feasible to ski in the surrounding Andes and then relax on the beach in the same day.

Santiago is a rapidly rising metropolis in Chile’s central valley, sandwiched between the Andes and the Coastal Range. The metropolitan region has a population of around seven million people.

It was founded in 1541 as Santiago de Nueva Extremadura by Spaniard Pedro de Valdivia and has served as the country’s center since colonial times, evolving into the cosmopolitan metropolis it is today. It serves as both a gateway to the country and a destination in and of itself, with buildings from many eras, a bustling gastronomic and cultural scene, and is bordered by the majestic Andes, which welcome skiers, trekkers, and wine enthusiasts.

VISITOR INFORMATION

  • Sernatur (State Tourism Agency), Av Providencia 1550,  +56 2 27318336, +56 2 27318337. The main visitor information office.

Climate of Santiago

Santiago, like the majority of the country’s central region, has a Mediterranean climate. The winter environment is cool and wet, with temperatures dropping to approximately 0°C at night. It snows extremely seldom in the city, and throughout the winter, it is more likely to rain with snow falling in the Andes to the east. It becomes more warmer as the summer approaches. Summers are mostly dry, however they may be humid at times, and temperatures can exceed 35°C. Due to the region’s relative lack of vegetation, temperatures vary significantly between day and night throughout the year. It is fairly unusual for people to suffer from heat during the day in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt yet need a jacket at night.

Santiago is infamous for its bad air quality, which is a result of the basin’s inversion effect and other causes. The air quality may be harmful in large part owing to excessive particulate matter concentrations (especially in the winter).

Geography of Santiago

The city is located in the heart of the Santiago Basin, a huge bowl-shaped valley bordered by mountains and comprised of wide and rich farmland. The city has a varied elevation, ranging from 400 meters (1,312 feet) in the west to 540 meters (1,772 feet) in the Plaza Baquedano. It is bounded on the east by the Andes main chain and on the west by the Chilean Coastal Range. It is surrounded on the north by the Cordón de Chacabuco, an Andean mountain range. The Andes mountains around Santiago are relatively high; the Tupungato peak, at 6,570 m, is the highest (21,555 ft). Tupungatito, San José, and Maipo are further peaks. Cerro El Plomo is the city of Santiago’s tallest peak. The city is bisected by the Mapocho River. The Angostura de Paine, an extended protrusion of the Andes that nearly touches the ocean, forms the southern boundary. The Santiago Basin is located inside the Intermediate Depression and is surprisingly level, with the exception of a few hills, including Cerro Renca, Cerro Blanco, and Cerro Santa Luca. This basin measures around 80 kilometers (50 miles) north–south and 35 kilometers (22 miles) east–west.

To the east is the massive Sierra de Ramón, a mountain chain formed in the Precordillera’s foothills as a result of the San Ramón Fault’s activity, rising to 3296 metres at the Cerro de Ramón. The Cordillera de los Andes lies 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the east, with its mountain ranges and volcanoes, several of which surpass 6,000 meters (19,690 feet) in elevation and have glaciers.

In recent decades, urban expansion has surpassed the city’s bounds, spreading eastward into the Andean Precordillera. At an elevation of above 1,000 metres, urban development is prevalent in localities such as La Dehesa, Lo Curro, and El Arrayan.

Economy of Santiago

Santiago is Chile’s industrial and financial powerhouse, accounting for 45% of the country’s GDP. Santiago is home to many international organizations, including the ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean). The robust economy and minimal government debt are luring European and American immigration.

Santiago has developed into a modern city during the last several decades as a result of its sustained economic expansion. The city currently has a burgeoning theater and restaurant scene, considerable suburban development, dozens of retail malls, and a skyline that includes Latin America’s tallest structure, the Gran Torre Santiago. It is home to numerous prestigious colleges and has created a sophisticated transportation infrastructure, including a toll-based, partially underground urban highway system and the Metro de Santiago, South America’s largest subway system.

Internet, Communication in Santiago

If you desire to send a letter or postcard, the main post office is the Correo Central, a Neoclassical structure with French elements situated on the north side of Plaza de Armas. There are other smaller post offices located around the city, often along major avenues.

However, Chilean mail has developed a reputation for not delivering goods or for mailmen reading letters in search of money or other desirable objects (mostly on mail coming from abroad).

Chilexpress is the biggest and most reputable private postal provider, with branches in practically all mid-sized cities. However, prices are somewhat higher.

How To Travel To Santiago

All tourists are given a 90-day tourist card upon admission. Take care not to misplace the stamped tourist card, which is necessary to leave the country. If you lose it, you must get it reissued by the PDI (Polica de Investigaciones) before leaving the country.

Get In - By plane

Aeropuerto Internacional Comodoro Arturo Merino Bentez (IATA: SCL), usually known as Pudahuel Airport for the town in which it is located, is Chile’s principal international gateway. With the recent building of a new tollway, the Costanera Norte, travel time to the city center has been considerably shortened.

Visitors from Albania, Australia, and Mexico must pay a reciprocal charge while flying into the nation. This is a response to the visa costs charged by these same countries to Chileans. The one-time fee must be paid in cash (USD) or by credit card before going through immigration and is valid for the duration of the passport’s validity. Albanians pay US$30, Australians pay US$95, and Mexicans pay US$23. To access via land, there is no cost. If paying with cash, keep in mind that the bills must be in almost “excellent” shape, with no torn bills.

To begin with, there is no public transit from Santiago Airport. However, airport buses to the city center run on two somewhat different routes: CentroPuerto (CLP$1600 one-way, CLP$2800 return) every 10 minutes and TurBus (CCLP$1700 one-way, CLP$2800 return) every 30 minutes. Both buses may be reached by exiting the station and walking outside. Tickets can be purchased on the bus. On the way, both buses stop at the Pajaritos Metro station. Because of the high traffic east of Pajaritos, it is best to get off here and use Metro line 1 to Los Dominicos to go to the city center (15-20 minutes). Transvip provides a shared-ride shuttle service and has a counter directly after customs, before exiting into the main terminal. A journey to the city center costs CLP$7.000 (as of March 2016).

A trip to downtown or Providencia in a private cab will cost around CLP$21000. Please be aware that unauthorized taxis may prey on unsuspecting travelers and charge up to CLP$200.000 (US$400) for a ride to downtown or Providencia. Unofficial taxis are simple to spot; most drivers will lack identification and will insist on bringing you to ATMs near the airport, where they will persuade you to withdraw the maximum allowable amount (CLP$200.000). Sticking to certified cabs and using common sense can bring you to the city in no time.

  • From Europe, Air France operates to Paris (14 hours), Iberia to Madrid (13 hours), and LAN to Frankfurt with a stop in Madrid (18 hours). Air France uses Boeing 777-200ER aircraft , Iberia Airbus A340 aircraft, and LAN uses Boeing 787.
  • From Latin America, LAN has the most extensive network to and from Santiago, with flights from Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Sao Paulo,Quito, Guayaquil, Bogotá, Caracas, La Paz, Santa Cruz, Mexico City, Havana,Punta Cana, among others. TAM has direct flights from Sao Paulo and Rio, and Copa Airlines operates three daily non-stop flights from Panama City. Also Aerolineas ArgentinasGolVarigAeroméxico and Pluna operate from Santiago.
  • From North America, American Airlines and LAN operate flights from Miami,New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Some flights have layovers in Guayaquilor Lima, but all of them offer non-stop services. Delta Air Lines operates direct flights from Atlanta. Air Canada operates a flight from Toronto six days per week. Many of these flights are overnight, and most use widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 767.
  • From Oceania, Qantas operates a direct flight from Sydney three times a week using a B747. LAN also operates one daily flight from Sydney to Santiago via Auckland. It’s at least 12 hours each way. LAN also operates a Tahiti-Easter Island-Santiago route.

Travelers from Asia and Africa will have to make at least one transfer. Because Santiago is antipodal to central China, most regions of Asia will need an incredibly long journey; depending on where you start, the fastest path may be through the North American west coast, Oceania, Europe, or a mix of the Middle East and Brazil. Some East Asian airlines go to Sao Paulo, however these flights entail a stopover, which is frequently in the United States. The fastest trip from much of Africa would be to travel to Sao Paulo and then transfer there.

Because Chile is one of the world’s longest nations, flying is by far the quickest option to get here from elsewhere in the country. In most situations, you’ll have a choice between LAN and the semi-low-cost Sky Airline, which has a little smaller network.

Get In - By Train

Trenes Metropolitanos operates a network of commuter and interregional trains from the Estación Central railway station (Metro Estación Central, Line 1) to the extensive wine and agricultural valley to the south. The central station, constructed by Gustave Eiffel, was formerly the hub of a vast passenger railway network that, like the rest of South America, has since been decommissioned.

  • Metrotren is a commuter rail that runs to San Fernando by way of Rancagua with five departures daily, prices up to CLP$1950.
  • TerraSur runs to Chillán with three departures daily. It is recommended to book ahead during the high season (Austral summer) as seats fill up quickly. Prices are up to CLP$22.000 for first class and CLP$10.800 for second class.
  • Expreso Maule runs an interregional express service to the sixth and seventh regions (O’Higgins and Maule) once daily, prices up to CLP$3850.

Get In - By Bus

Buses are the most common means of intercity transportation, and most communities in Chile have a bus link to the capital. Some nearby big cities, such as Valparaiso or Via del Mar, may have buses departing every 15 minutes. Bus ticket prices vary depending on demand and seat type (regular seat, semi-bed or bed). Buses are generally clean and comfortable, however this may not always be true of the restrooms on board. The city has multiple bus terminals, the largest of which being Terminal Santiago.

The bus travel from Santiago to Mendoza in Argentina is scenic and takes around eight hours, depending on how much time is spent at the Cristo Redentor checkpoint. The border crossing is located in the Andes at roughly 2800 meters. It should be noted that no fruits, vegetables, or animal items are permitted in either route; all bags will be searched at the border. In high season, one-way flights are quoted at roughly CLP$21.000 (semicama) CLP$25.000 (cama), but are frequently lower if booked in advance and during the off season. There are additional buses to and from San Juan (one-way tickets range between CLP$19.500 and CLP$19.500) and Neuquen, Argentina. One-way tickets to Lima are priced about CLP$85.000.

  • Terminal Santiago (Estación Central, ex Terminal Sur), Avda. Lib. Bernardo O’Higgins 3850 (Metro Universidad de Santiago),  +56-2-23761750Bus companies serving international and domestic destinations are located in the Terminal Santiago (Alameda 3848, Metro Universidad de Santiago [Line 1], Phone: +56 2 23761755). In the terminal there is a food court with local fast food restaurants and a McDonald’s. May be extremely overcrowded prior to and on national holiday. Not dangerous, but be beware of pickpockets and people trying to sell you stolen goods (iPods and cell phones are a common target).
  • Terminal AlamedaAvda. Lib. Bernardo O’Higgins 3750 (Metro Universidad de Santiago), +56-2-22707425Additionally, Turbus and Pullman operate a private station next door at Terminal Alameda (Metro Estación Central [Line 1], Phone: +56 2 27762424) for domestic and international departures. There is a hotel and a few convenience shops in the terminal.
  • Terrapuerto Los HéroesTucapel Jiménez 21 (Metro Los Héroes), +56-2-24239530Located a few kilometers east of the main terminals is theTerminal Los Héroes (Tucapel Jiménez 21, Metro Los Héroes [Line 1], Phone: +56 2 24200099). Services to the north and to Mendoza. Of note here is the bus line Cruz del Sur, which is one of the few companies with regularly scheduled departures to towns in Argentine Patagonia and Punta Arenas.
  • Terminal San BorjaSan Borja 184 (Metro Estación Central), +56-2-27760645Services to the north of the country, Litoral Central and the western part of the Santiago region.
  • Terminal Pajaritos (Metro Pajaritos). Services to Viña del Mar, Valparaíso and the airport.

Get In - By Car

When driving into Santiago, you’ll most likely be on the Autopista Central (Ruta 5), the Chilean part of the Pan-American Highway. To use this motorway, you must have a “TAG” gadget or a day pass, which can be purchased at service stations. A one-day pass costs CLP$4400. You may also buy it if you happen to go past it without one.

How To Get Around In Santiago

Transantiago

Transantiago operates the city’s metro and major bus routes. Only a bip! card may be used to pay for public transportation fares. Bip! cards may be purchased and recharged at any metro station (CLP$1500 for the card, CLP$1000 minimum recharge) or Centro bip!. They are valid for both the metro and the bus and enable you unlimited transfers between the two within two hours – you must still scan your card before boarding the next metro train or bus, but there is no penalty in general. When traveling with an active metro ticket and transferring to a bus (or vice versa) during peak hours, there will be a modest reduction.

The tariff is determined by when you begin your travel; tickets cost CLP$740 during peak times (7AM to 9AM, 6:00 to 8PM), CLP$660 during shoulder periods (6:30AM to 7AM, 9AM to 6PM, 8PM to 8:45PM), and CLP$640 during low periods (before 6:30AM and after 8:45PM).

Get Around - By metro

The metro system is Latin America’s second biggest, with five lines and 108 stops, many of which host changing art exhibitions. Lines 1, 2, and 5 go through the historical district, whereas lines 4 and 4A mostly service the city’s east side. Because it is a popular method of transportation, the metro can become congested during rush hours.

Trains run between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.; the precise hours are posted above the stairs leading down into the stations. After hours, buses travel parallel to subway lines.

Get Around - By bus

Transantiago buses are relatively contemporary and run on the main routes around the clock. You may obtain route information on the Transantiago website if you speak a little Spanish.

Transantiago conducts a “culture circuit” on Sundays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., in which a specially designated bus runs between key tourist and cultural locations for the regular fee.

Get Around - By taxi

Taxis are a very economical and safe mode of transportation in the city. The cost of lowering the flag is CLP$300 + CLP$120 for every 100 meters. Official cabs are black and yellow, and they are clearly identified. Radiotaxis is also prevalent and a fantastic late-night option. Suburban regions are occasionally served by taxis with established routes and pricing.

Prices in Santiago

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

Milk 1 liter $1.17
Tomatoes 1 kg $1.50
Cheese 0.5 kg $6.00
Apples 1 kg $1.35
Oranges 1 kg $1.35
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $1.25
Bottle of Wine 1 bottle $5.30
Coca-Cola 2 liters $2.11
Bread 1 piece $0.71
Water 1.5 l $1.25

RESTAURANTS

Dinner (Low-range) for 2 $16.00
Dinner (Mid-range) for 2 $38.00
Dinner (High-range) for 2 $62.00
Mac Meal or similar 1 meal $5.80
Water 0.33 l $0.96
Cappuccino 1 cup $2.55
Beer (Imported) 0.33 l $2.75
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $1.85
Coca-Cola 0.33 l $1.20
Coctail drink 1 drink $6.00

ENTERTAINMENT

Cinema 2 tickets $14.00
Gym 1 month $55.00
Men’s Haircut 1 haircut $11.00
Theatar 2 tickets $75.00
Mobile (prepaid) 1 min. $0.20
Pack of Marlboro 1 pack $4.60

PERSONAL CARE

Antibiotics 1 pack $7.00
Tampons 32 pieces $7.00
Deodorant 50 ml. $3.90
Shampoo 400 ml. $3.85
Toilet paper 4 rolls $2.85
Toothpaste 1 tube $2.45

CLOTHES / SHOES

Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 1 $55.00
Dress summer (Zara, H&M) 1 $38.00
Sport shoes (Nike, Adidas) 1 $68.00
Leather shoes 1 $81.00

TRANSPORTATION

Gasoline 1 liter $1.15
Taxi Start $
Taxi 1 km $
Local Transport 1 ticket $1.10

Sights & Landmarks in Santiago

For historical sights, see the Historical Center. This has been a governmental seat for almost five centuries, and there are several ancient structures here. One of these is the modernist colonial Palacio de la Moneda, which was created for coin minting. It was also the president’s house from the mid-nineteenth century until the coup of 1973, when it was bombed. The damage was repaired, and the president still lives there today.

South of the palace lies Alameda, the city’s major thoroughfare, which includes the primary university building (Casa Central de la Universidad de Chile), the San Francisco church, and the Santa Lucia hill, which provides spectacular views of the old town. Plaza de Armas, directly across from the university building, is the most vibrant part of town, with artists, comedians, and singers performing often. The Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palace of the Royal Court (now a museum), and the mayor’s mansion are all nearby.

Going north from Plaza de Armas, you’ll find the Mercado Central, which has a plethora of eateries. Along the southern bank of the Mapocho River, you’ll find the Parque Forestal and Museo de Bellas Artes, as well as the colorful neighborhood of Lastarria, which has a plethora of cafés, restaurants, and art galleries.

North of the river, Bellavista is a nightlife hub where you can also see Pablo Neruda’s famous mansion. For some of the greatest views of Santiago and the Maipo Valley, use the funicular or trek to Cerro San Cristóbal. Southeast lies Providencia, which has stylish boutiques, and further distant are Sanhattan’s skyscrapers, including the highest in Latin America and the second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, Gran Torre Santiago. Quinta Normal, a large park surrounded by museums, is located to the west.

Museums and libraries

Santiago has a plethora of museums of all types, including three of the ‘National’ class, which are overseen by the Directorate of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DIBAM): the National History Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Museum of Natural History.

The majority of museums are in the historic city center, occupying historical colonial-era buildings, such as the National History Museum, which is housed in the Palacio de la Real Audiencia. The Museum of Santiago is situated in La Casa Colorada, while the Colonial Museum is housed in a wing of the Church of San Francisco and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is housed in part of the historic Palacio de la Aduana. Though located in the city center, the Museum of Fine Arts was erected in the early twentieth century specifically for hosting the museum, and in the back of the building was placed in 1947, the Museum of Contemporary Art, under the Faculty of Arts of the University of Chile.

The Quinta Normal Park also features various museums, including the previously mentioned Natural History Museum, Artequin Museum, Museum of Science and Technology, and Museo Ferroviario. Other museums in the city include the Aeronautical Museum in Cerrillos, the Tajamares Museum in Providence, and the Museo Interactivo Mirador in La Granja. The latter, which debuted in 2000 and is mostly geared toward children and kids, has had over 2.8 million visits, making it the busiest museum in the country.

The National Library, located in downtown Santiago, is the most significant public library. Its beginnings trace back to 1813, when it was established by the fledgling Republic, and it was relocated to its current location a century later, which now serves as the headquarters of the National Archives. In order to give greater proximity to the population, incorporate modern technology, and supplement the services provided by public libraries and the National Library, the Library of Santiago in Barrio Matucana opened in 2005.

Things to do in Santiago

Santiago is well-known for its cultural offerings. The city has an amazing jazz culture, with numerous tiny clubs distributed across the city, one of which being Club Jazz in the Nuoa neighborhood. Every January, a jazz festival with both local and international performers takes place in the Providencia neighborhood. The El Mercurio newspaper has current listings for theater, dance, and concerts. Visit one of the city’s cultural centers for a wide range of art and culture, including exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Some of these also sell local art and handicraft (refer to the Buy section for more shopping).

You may go take a stroll in one of Santiago’s many parks. Some of these, such as Cerro Santa Lucia and Parque Metropolitano, have spectacular views of the city. Take on the larger “hills” outside the city if you want something more than merely trekking or taking the cable car up a little hill. Contact one of the local mountaineering organizations to embark on a journey to some of the world’s highest mountains outside of Asia, or if you prefer skiing, hit the slopes of El Colorado (Chile).

Outside of downtown, Central Chile is well-known for its wines and vineyards. Cousio Macul, which can be accessed from the Quilin Metro station, and Concha y Toro, which can be reached by cab from the end of Line 4. (Las Mercedes and Puente Alto station). Casablanca Wine Valley, located approximately an hour west of Santiago, produces the greatest white wine in the country.

Food & Restaurants In Santiago

Both worldwide and indigenous fast food companies may be found in the city’s downtown and east. Why not try a completo, the Chilean version of a hot dog with tomato, mayonnaise, and sauerkraut, or an italiano hot dog with tomato, avocado, and mayonnaise? There are also little sandwich shops known as “picadas” that provide a variety of sandwiches (some with gigantic steaks) and pies. There are also street food vendors selling local delicacies like as sopaipillas (fried pumpkin buns) and mote with huesillo, a soft drink made with peaches and wheat.

Central Chilean cuisine is concentrated on grilled meat (beef or pig) with tomatoes, potatoes, or maize. Cazuela (soup), porotos with riendas (beans with pasta), porotos granados (vegetarian bean stew), charquicán (beef and potato stew topped with an egg), pastel de choclo (corn pie), and, because we’re in southern South America, asado (barbecued meat). Seafood is not as prevalent in Santiago as you might think, but if you want any, go to the eateries in Central Market.

Shopping In Santiago

Santiago has several retail centers located across the city. In the malls, you can discover a range of retail establishments as well as the most well-known department stores in Chile, Falabella, Pars, and Ripley.

Downtown and Providencia

For shopping in central Santiago, travel to Paseo Ahumada, which is located between the major street Alameda and Plaza de Armas.

If you like to buy handcrafts, the ones at Centro Artesanal Santa Lucia are nice and reasonably priced in comparison to other handcraft outlets. Bellavista also has other handcrafts centers (though a bit more expensive).

Avenida Providencia in Providencia features a plethora of stores.

East

The largest malls are Parque Arauco and Alto Las Condes, both have good restaurants and the former also has free music and shows. You can get to Parque Arauco from Metro Escuela Militar (Line 1) and to Alto Las Condes from Metro Los Domínicos (Line 1); ask locals for directions if you’re unsure of how to take buses.

Alonso de Córdova Street and Nueva Costanera Avenue are very exclusive areas where you can find high fashion and luxury stores like Louis Vuitton, Hermés or local designers. In this area you find great restaurants and art galleries.

Steps from Metro Los Domínicos (Line 1) is Pueblito Los Domínicos. It is more expensive but has a wide variety of local handcrafts and antiques, as well as a small exhibition room and a bonsai exhibition behind it. It is very pretty with an artificial stream in a colonial-looking atmosphere. Half of the people there are usually tourists during the summer, so you won’t be alone!

Plaza Nuñoa has some small shops in the plaza where you can buy books from Latin America (Neruda, Allende, Cortazar) and also handcrafts.

North

If you’re already familiar with Santiago, you may head to Barrio Patronato, which is close to the downtown area and easily accessible by metro (Metro Patronato, Line 2). There, you’ll discover inexpensive clothes, food, and various things, as well as some international stores (mostly Chinese, Koreans, Peruvians, and Middle Easterners), allowing you to save a lot of money. It’s best to travel with a local, though, because the relatively short and narrow streets and high visitor quotient make it easy to get lost. Pickpockets should be avoided.

South

Similarly, people looking for additional surprises and information about Santiago may visit the well-known Persa Bio Bio, which is located in the Franklin neighborhood, not far from downtown and close to Metro Franklin (Line 2). It may be defined as a massive flea market that opens every weekend and sells antiques, tools, handcrafted furniture, a variety of food businesses, and so on. Again, this is not a location for inexperienced visitors; a local’s presence is preferred.

Nightlife In Santiago

Nightlife choices vary widely across the city and their location usually reflects their price and style.

  • Barrio Bellavista and Barrio Brasil are popular spots close to downtown. The Bohemian Bellavista can be reached by Metro to Baquedano, or by bus to Plaza Italia. Cross the bridge will bring you to Pio Nono, which probably has highest density of bars, pubs, and clubs in Chile, including some LGBT places. Per law, everything closes down at 5 AM, though you may be able to join people for afterparties elsewhere.
  • Barrio Lastarria has more sophisticated and relaxed bars, pubs, cafés, many of which have an interesting history. It’s also a district for fine dining.
  • The historic center likewise has many traditional places to have a drink, some of which have retained an ambience from the early 20th century. One of them is La Piojera, with its signature terremoto (earthquake) drink with wine, Fernet and pineapple ice cream.
  • Plaza San Enrique is a park located in Lo Barnechea (at the far northeast of the city) which is surrounded by nightclubs. The most popular one is Sala Murano (it can get very crowded!). People who attend are mostly aged 18-25 and it is one of the safest places to party. Most people there are from upper-middle to high class, so it is more expensive than other neighbourhoods. Typically, females get in for free, while males pay around CLP$3000-5000. You can get there by buses, but though buses do pass later on, you might have to wait up to an hour for it.
  • Plaza Ñuñoa is a district east of the central area and is another popular spot nightlife spot.
  • Vitacura is located pretty far east (towards the Andes). It is composed of bars and some places where you can dance. The places are nice and although they certainly lack cohesiveness as nightlife (since bars only recently started opening there) it can be fun to go. It is more expensive that other areas of Santiago and frequented by people that live in the eastern (wealthier) side of the city. Although you can get there by bus, it will be hard to leave on anything but a taxi since buses don’t run late.

Stay Safe & Healthy In Santiago

Santiago is notorious for its pollution, which worsens in the winter (May–September). The rain that falls throughout the winter is welcomed by the residents because it cleans the air. Bring bottled water with you throughout the heat. During the summer, expect sauna-like temperatures on the metro.


When getting around

Santiago is a safe city by South American standards, but tourists should be careful of pickpocketing and other small crimes (Chileans derogatorily refer to the pickpockets as “lanzas”, “spears” in English). Avoid parks at night and, unless you’re in Las Condes or Vitacura, don’t wear expensive-looking jewelry or watches even during the day. Avoid huge crowds, especially downtown, if you’re alone.

If you have terrible luck and are robbed, do what the offender instructs and give the wallet away if you don’t speak Spanish. Failure to do so may result in an assault until you hand up your wallet. Don’t try to argue with them, and once again, do what they say.

Don’t flash your camera; instead, snap a photo and hide it while not in use. If you’re robbed and the thief notices the camera, expect to give it up as well if you want to keep out of jail.

Never accept a bargain from someone who approaches you on the street and offers you higher odds of changing your dollars/euros into Chilean pesos. They are scam artists who take advantage of foreigners’ lack of knowledge about currencies and mislead them with complex jargon in order to steal their money. Only exchange money in authorized currency exchange centers, which may take longer but are far more reliable. There is one in the airport, but they are also common in the downtown and financial districts, as well as in shopping malls.

Overall, traveling by automobile in Santiago is extremely safe.

The metro is considered safer for residents to travel in, even if security in buses has improved since the advent of TranSantiago. However, some locals still prefer to take the metro, especially when it becomes late, because practically all of the stations are guarded. Don’t anticipate much English from the employees. During peak hours, the subway is quite crowded, so keep your backpack on the front and your items in the front pockets.


Dangerous areas

Some neighborhoods and barrios should be avoided. The few carabineros and townspeople who understand English will know which locations to avoid because some of them can be reached by metro. Some customers at your neighborhood Starbucks are more likely to speak English.

Turn around if you notice fewer towering buildings and more dwellings with closed windows and entrances. Unlike in other Latin American cities, changes occur slowly, so you’d have to go quite a distance from a prosperous safe neighborhood to a hazardous ghetto. Avoid La Legüa (not to be confused with La Ligua in the V Región), which is notorious in Chile for having high crime rates. Single police cars will not even be allowed to enter the area.

Unless you know exactly where you’re going, avoid the following comunas: Lo Espejo, La Pintana, Puente Alto (especially the Plaza de Armas), La Cisterna, San Joaqun, El Bosque (not to be confused with the avenue and neighborhood located around Metro El Golf, which is in Las Condes), San Ramón, and LA Granja. Though these sites are not absolutely hazardous, they do have a few dangerous spots and are not particularly touristy.

Providencia, Vitacura, and Las Condes are the safest communities. Aside from Carabineros, all of them have a large number of local security guards, and residents, particularly young ones, are more likely to speak English. However, they are not fully safe: petty theft still occurs, so keep a watch out on the streets. Lo Barnechea may be perplexing because it is the only comuna that has both highly affluent and extremely impoverished neighborhoods during Pinochet’s dictatorship; “La Dehesa” is opulent and safe, but “Cerro Dieciocho” is as deadly as La Legua.


Football

If you attend to a football event, be wary of the “barras bravas,” who are the most fervent but most violent spectators. They frequently get into problems with the cops, both inside and outside the stadium. Avoid purchasing tickets in areas where the bravas predominate, which is generally behind the goals. The center area is the safest, but avoid revealing it if you have a buddy who wants to support Colo-Colo and another Universidad de Chile, for example. Even if the middle portion is safe, wearing many shirts might get you in trouble. Wear the same shirts or dress neutrally. Other football games, aside from the “Superclásico” between Universidad de Chile and Colo-Colo, should be quite safe.

Walking to the stadium, you’ll see individuals asking for money so they can see the game. If you want to remain out of trouble, avoid providing them.

The neighbourhood in which the Estadio Nacional is located is typically tranquil, but when it is packed, you must walk with caution and keep your eyes on other people. It’s best to use a cab or a rented car if you can find a parking spot.


Other

Never participate in a demonstration because it might turn out horribly. If you are caught in one, go to a restaurant, shop, or anywhere similar to hide.

In compared to other Latin American nations, Chilean police (Carabineros) are generally trustworthy. Even if you can’t find someone who speaks English, they’ll try to answer your inquiries, solve your difficulties, or point you in the right direction. Never try to bribe a cop; Chile boasts the least corrupt police force in Latin America.

However, keep in mind that the Chilean police force is militaristic. As a result, police special forces can be aggressive or harsh if they believe you have done or will do something unlawful or unacceptable, therefore exercise caution.

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