Santiago is a huge city, almost half of the population of Chile lives there. Big, hot in summer and polluted, Santiago has a lot for frightening. However, I stayed a long time in Santiago. The main reason is that I have met a lot of friends during my last student exchange. But not only my friends, Santiago and the area around have a lot to show. Here my special selection hoping you will enjoy it at least as much as me!
In the city
I will start with a tip for withdrawing money without paying fee. There is an ATM in Banco Security bank close to the corner Moneda and Estado. I paid no fee with my MasterCard. This forum is keeping up to date with fee in ATM in Chile.
San Cristóbal Hill on kike
San Cristobal Hill is located in the center of Santiago. It is a huge park, the lung of the city. Here you can run, bike or simply walk. You can either spend time randomly or reach the top called Santuario de la Inmaculada Concepción. There is a religious white big statue standing there. In the meanwhile, you can also the whole city.
At the bottom of the hill, there is also the free Museo Parque de las Esculturas. It is a park with sculptures of artists.
Museums
Museo de la Memoria y Los Derechos Humanos
This museum has been build for never forgetting what has happened during the Chilean dictatorship (1973-90). You follow the establishment of the dictatorship and the change of the life of million of citizens. Next, you discover the horror of the people oppressed, tortured and propagandized during those years. Finally, you assist at the end of the dictatorship and how the country stood up again.
Museo Bellas Arte
The museum takes place in an old fashion building of steel, glass and concrete. The main room is for the permanent collection with many sculptures. Then, you have many rooms around with temporary exhibitions. Artists are from Chile and abroad. I saw a nice exhibition from a Swedish artist.
Walking in the city
My friend from the city made a personal tour for me. I was surprised how good he was knowing the city and the history of the country. We started in the Plaza del Armas, the main square of the city. Usually, this place is one of the best places. In Santiago, I was disappointed. Next, we continue to the Moneda, the president’s house. Finally, we finished on the Santa Lucia Hill. There are a palace and a nice view.
Hanging out in Bellavista
Bellavista is the name of a district. The main street Pio Nono is a place to go if you want to go out. The street is filled with bars, discotheques and restaurants. During all nights in the week, it is animated. Don’t hesitate to go to the streets around, for finding more places and lots of graffiti.
For other graffiti, there is the Museo A Cielo Abierto in the district of San Miguel. The area of residential building contains graffiti on the wall. Each building has its own theme. The big size of the graffiti makes a great impression.
Eating traditional Chilean food
Chile has a lot of culinary specialties. My favorites one are Pastel de Choclo, Humita, Mote con Huesillo and Terremoto. A good and cheap restaurant is Galindo in Bellavista district. I enjoyed a Pastel de Choclo with a Pisco Sour, unforgettable! Be careful, the place is always full during rush hour.
I will write an article soon with more precision and more specialties.
Dancing
I didn’t stop dancing and I went to some Salsoteca in the city. I tried two of them Rosa Negra and Klub Mangosta. They offered classes of Salsa or Bachata. It is better to check the website for the schedule. The average price for a class is around 2,000C$ and you have a discount if you take two.
Be careful, sometimes they will refuse access to the place if you don’t have trousers.
During my journey, I meet a Chilean girl and dancer that recommended me all that places in Santiago:
- Maestra Vida
- Club Orixas
- Tierra Dura
- Rosa Negra
- Klub Mangosta
Index of salsa types and names
- LA style ( called Salsa En Linea): You stay on a line
- Cubana style:You are more free to move and you shake more your shoulders
- Casino style: You dance in a group and you change partner regularly all together.
Out of the city
There is also nice places not too far of Santiago. So, it is an occasion for leaving the rush, the pollution and the heat of this huge city.
Tasting Wines
Chile is a huge producer of wine with a standard production of 1 million bottles per winery. Surprisingly, the Chilean consumption is only less than 10 liters of wine per year when it is ten times more in France :). Thus most of the production is for exportation. While staying in Santiago, it would be sad to miss the opportunity to taste it. As even if the production is huge, there are some incredible wineries.
There are 4 different regions around Santiago: Maipo, Casablanca, Aconcagua, Colchagua and Cachapoal. Maipo is attached to Santiago, so many wineries are reachable with the public transport. Next one, Casablanca is also reachable with the bus as it is on the way to Valparaiso.
Soon a specific article with all the tricks and best wineries to visit!
Valparaiso
The town of Valparaiso is appreciated for its atmosphere. Less polluted and less crowded, you can admire lots of graffiti, hang out and relax. Next to it, there is also the beautiful city of Viña del Mar. On top of that, the city is next to the sea. You have no excuse for not going to the Sea.
During New Year, the city is invaded by all Santiago. The city transforms itself into a huge party in the street.
Discover my one day trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.
Pichilemu
The small town Pichilemu is nice for surfing and enjoying the beach. Only 3h30 from Santiago, the temperature is better and the atmosphere more relax. The place is famous for the people in Santiago, thus the town is more crowded from Saturday to Monday.
You also want to surf, check my advice from my surfing experience.
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