CUSTOMIZED SANTIAGO TRAVEL PACKAGES

WHAT TO DO IN SANTIAGO

Santiago Tour

Go to the culturally and historically rich city center where the most important buildings are located, including La Moneda Palace, the current seat of the government. The Plaza de Armas is the main square of the city, and is always a good source of bustling energy and entertaining street performers. Cerro San Cristobal is the 2nd highest point in the whole city where you will find a statue of the Virgin Mary. Take the funicular for a spectacular view of the Andes and the Pacific.

Bellavista is the bohemian district, lined with colorful streets and fanciful architecture. It is no wonder Noble Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda decided to build one of his homes here. While you are strolling around scout the area for a good place to eat, as this barrio is famous for its delicious restaurants and lively pubs.

Tour a Winery

Located in the heart of the wine valley, Santiago offers easy access to a variety of vineyards in almost every direction. Just 16 miles to the south of Santiago is the magnificent Maipo Valley, the oldest viticultural area in Chile. Here you will find Viña Cousiño Macul, one of the most traditional Chilean wineries, still owned after 5 generations by direct descendants of Matias Cousino. The park within the estate was created by Luis Cousino and his wife. It is not only one of the most beautiful properties in Chile, but also has the honor of being featured in distinguished European magazines.

Chile’s soaring international reputation for wine is greatly due to the success of the Concha y Toro Winery in the village of Pirque, southeast of Santiago. Established in 1883, Chile's largest winery is often ignored by the majority of foreign visitors to Santiago. Surrounded by seemingly endless fields of vines and blessed with spectacular views of the Andes, this is one of the most beautiful locations in the Santiago Valley. It is here that such internationally recognized brands as Casillera del Diablo and Don Melchor (both award-winners) are produced.

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

Traveling in the direction of the Pacific Ocean, passing the agricultural valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca, you’ll soon reach Valparaíso, the main port of the country. Valparaíso's picturesque shape, enhanced by the surrounding hills that seem to dive into the ocean, remind one that this was once the most important maritime destination of the Pacific coast before the Strait of Panama was opened to navigation in 1914.

Just a bit further north along the coastline of the bay is Viña del Mar, the most famous and visited seaside city of the area, with its many parks of huge trees and palms that gave Viña del Mar the well deserved name of 'Garden City'. You will also visit the beaches and the Casino, and we will learn about its history.

Pablo Neruda Museum in Isla Negra

West of Santiago is the village of Isla Negra on the coast, where the 1971 Nobel Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda’s favorite house is located. Take an informative guided tour through the museum and the surrounding areas to really appreciate the life and works of this gregarious and ingenious Chilean poet.

Nature is calling in Maipo Valley

Santiago's closest beauty spot is the Maipo Valley, which begins near Puente Alto, 16 miles (25 km) southeast of the city and stretches up to the high-altitude border with Argentina. The road runs alongside the Maipo River to the town of San José de Maipo, a one-time mountain backwater made prosperous by the leisure industry.

Spectacular Andean scenery and thermal pools await those who venture near the top of the valley. Take walks in the mountain, go rafting, horseback riding or simply resting under the trees by the river. You can enjoy a full day in nature and be back in your comfortable Santiago hotel by nightfall.

Hit the slopes

The closest resorts to Santiago are only a couple hours away along the coast, and are easily doable for a day trip. Peak season is July to September. If it is the wrong time of year, go for it anyway and do some hiking and biking.

El Colorado is the closest resort to Santiago, with 19 lifts and 22 runs. Portillo is world-famous for dry powder, challenging skiing in the shadow of Mt. Aconcagua, and for being an all-season resort. Valle Nevado has 27 runs, and offers skiers a variety of long gentle slopes and helicopter skiing. Farellones / La Parva together with El Colorado form a cluster of ski villages, where, if the snow is good, you can ski from one to another. One can go for various days or just a full day ski excursion, including transfers and ski rental.

Go Out on the Town

Santiago’s pulsing nightlife always has something to offer, every night of the week. Whether you’re into jazz or progressive rock or having a pint at an Irish pub, you’ll find other people out enjoying the night’s festivities as well.

When To Visit Santiago

Santiago’s temperate, Mediterranean climate allows comfortable travel year round. The clearest and bluest skies are to be found between September and April, when stunning views of the nearby mountains are ever present.

It is easy to time your trip to cater to your interests. Fall is an especially good time to visit the vineyards for the grape harvest, while prime Chile ski season is from July to September.