I wondered why the home of Pablo Neruda, La Chascona, was not included. I found it whimsical, arty and fun to visit. Located near the central Parque. Allow about 1 hour, more for browsing the gift shop.
Don't miss the Museo Chileno De Arte Precolombino in downtown Santiago for a fabulous exhibit of pre-Columbian art of the Americas.
The NYTimes map shows Parque Metropolitano in the wrong location! It should be the big park visible right above Restaurante 040 near the center of the city.
Two things I would add to the must-sees: La Chascona (Neruda's house) and Cerro Santa Lucia, which is smaller than Cerro San Cristobal/Parque Metropolitano and right in the middle of the city. Just a short climb up through the gardens (compared to 40+ minutes for San Cristobal) and you're rewarded with incredible views over the city & mountains.
Two things I would add to the must-sees: La Chascona (Neruda's house) and Cerro Santa Lucia, which is smaller than Cerro San Cristobal/Parque Metropolitano and right in the middle of the city. Just a short climb up through the gardens (compared to 40+ minutes for San Cristobal) and you're rewarded with incredible views over the city & mountains.
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If you are visiting Santiago I would recommend working with Upscape travel (www.upscapetravel.com). I have booked several trips with them and the service and high quality experience are unparalleled. They can help you to hike on a glacier, do a day of skiing or a day of biking in the wine country. There is a LOT to do within a 90 minute radius of Santiago. You will NOT be disappointed. The guides were knowledgeable, the gastronomy was amazing, and you will be blown away by the Chilean landscape. Whatever you do, GO!
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If you are staying in Santiago for a week or more you can also rent a furnished apartment quite easily. Even before the era of AirBnB, such apartments were easy to find online and affordable. In our experience, staying in an apartment provided more of a local flavor than staying in a hotel.
We lived for a year in Santiago in 2006-2007 during a sabbatical year and loved every minute of our time in Santiago. We would add three things that are always on our suggested list of "must do" for friends who are visiting the city. First, take the time to see Neruda's house, La Chascona Casa Second, and please, please, visit Museo Ralli Santiago (Calle Alonso de Sotomayor 4110, Vitacura). It is hard to find and many Chileanos do not even know of its existence, but the museum has a stunning collection of modern South American art along with a beautiful collection of Dali sculptures. It remains one of our favorite museums in the word. Third, if you want a tour of the city on a bike, check out Paseos en Bicicleta (http://www.biketours.cl). Andres, who runs the company, is an architect who started the company out of his love of biking. He speaks perfect English (and we must admit, Andres and his wife are good friends from our year in Chile).
And yes, Cola...getting from the airport to downtown requires a long car ride. We have never found an easier way and usually end up taking a taxi.
And yes, Cola...getting from the airport to downtown requires a long car ride. We have never found an easier way and usually end up taking a taxi.
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Thank you, Carol P!!!
I´m from Santiago and I never hear about Museo Ralli Santiago.
Excellent tips!!!
Bye,
MB
I´m from Santiago and I never hear about Museo Ralli Santiago.
Excellent tips!!!
Bye,
MB
Any practical way of getting back and forth from the the airport to downtown, not approaching the cost of a room at the nearby and very pleasant Airport Hilton Garden Inn? On a recent trip to Patagonia we planned a short layover and carefully researched the city looking forward to a day spent exploring; only to be ultimately frustrated by the time and expense involved in merely getting there from the airport.
The metro doesn't go to the airport, but you can take a Centropuerto bus to the Los Heroes metro station and get into the downtown quickly from there. I've also heard that Uber is in Santiago now, which might be cheaper than a taxi.
Just returned from Santiago a couple weeks ago (and loved it!). I took an early-morning Uber to the airport from the center of town (Bellavista) and paid just under CLP10,000, roughly US$15.
You can book a taxi and prepay at one of the counters you will see at the airport just before you get to the baggage pickup. They cost about $30-$35 from the airport to downtown. If you forget there are also taxi counters once you leave the baggage and customs area, it can be crowded so it's better to arrange things before you claim your baggage.
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