Santiago

The new cool neighborhood in Santiago is Barrio Italia. In between car garages and old bodegas, you will find the latest fashionist stores, art galleries and restaurants.

It’s no secret that Chilean wine is one of the best of the world. I recommend trying as much as you can, especially if you can buy it at a wine shop, which is much cheaper than in a restaurant. Don’t miss our national variety Carmenere, unique in the world. There are also a lot of wine tours and day trips you can take. One of the best ones is La ruta del vino, at the Colchagua Valley. There are great restaurants and hotels on the way, if you decide to stay a little longer.

In the food department, you should always go for fish, seafood or meat, depending on the location. Our cuisine isn’t very elaborate, but our fresh produce is always good and could be compared with the best in the world. There are amazing restaurants to try, so if you have some cash to spend, ask around for the best ones. There are also cheap local options you can try, and food markets where you can eat or buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and fish to cook at your place.

The amount of art schools in Chile is immense and there’s a lot of experimentation both in visual arts and in live shows such as dance, music and theater. This is sometimes great; because there are lots of things to see, but sometimes you will be disappointed. There is a traditional scene, in the big museums, theaters and galleries, and a booming independent scene of galleries and art venues you can visit, most of them in Barrio Italia.

The best sightseeing in Santiago is Cerro San Cristobal, a metropolitan park located in Providencia. You can walk, jog or bike up, or take the funicular, a safe but old elevator. The hill has a lot of different cool spots to hangout –if you visit Santiago in summer, definitely try the pool-, but if you are decided to see the city from the best point, go all the way up to the top, where the statue of the Virgin Mary is. Skip the zoo.

Santiago is great for family travel. Most of the places accept kids, and there are lots of family oriented activities and museums. Some good ideas are Parque Bicentenario in Vitacura, Parque Forestal or Quinta Normal in Santiago Centro, and museums such as Mim or Artequín.

One of my favorites things about Santiago is that wilderness is only an hour away. But if you can’t leave the city for that long, there are cool parks to visit. Cerro San Cristobal is one of them, in Providencia (checkout Sightseeing). Quinta Normal, in Santiago, is also a good idea –a South American version of central Park. You can also go to Parque Mahuida, in La Reina, for more action, or climb the Pochoco hill, in El Arrayán.

There are plenty of shopping malls in Santiago. The newest one called Costanera Center is located in what’s going to be the tallest building in South America. If you are in the mood of something more authentic, I recommend Patronato, the garment district, where you can find cheap and cool cloths and Korean food. Drugstore, in Providencia, is a great place for designer cloths, decorative items similar to those you would find in museum shops, and books. If you want to see local handicrafts, go to Pueblito de Los Dominicos, in Las Condes, or go in a day trip to Pomaire for clay work and real Chilean food –they have the longest and biggest empanadas de pino in the city.

Traditionally Bellavista is the hotspot for nightlife in Santiago, but I would say that’s no longer true. There are still some cool places you can check out there, for food and dance, but I would recommend exploring other neighborhoods. Lastarria and Bellas Artes are artsy and hipster. Yungay and Brasil are cheaper, farther, more traditional and younger. Vitacura is expensive and chic. To hear to local bands go to Cellar or Loreto. For salsa go to Maestravida.