Santiago Travel Tips. An article sharing travel tips about visiting Santiago. How to get there and more…

Mark Ford, Founder of Plus1 Travel

It’s great to have you here searching for Santiago travel tips. Nestled between the world’s largest ocean, driest desert, longest mountain range, and southernmost grasslands, is Santiago de Chile. It’s no wonder that this South American capital is a city of extremes. Bienvenidos a Santiago, a cosmopolitan city where you can be whoever you want to be. 

Dine out in elegant business districts, grab a Churro in an urban park or hand-pick fresh seafood in a historic market hall. Delve into classic art museums or get inspired by bohemian street art. Escape the heat in modern, air-conditioned malls or find sanctuary in historic cathedrals. Treat your palate to a fine wine, or down a beer in one of the city’s favorite  bars.No matter what you are looking for, Santiago has it all. 

Framed by mountain ranges, Santiago is often shrouded in a hazy cloud. In this soft light, the well-worn stones of the city’s oldest districts recall the atmosphere of old Europe. Chile is the ’Country of Poets’ and its romantic urban parks that show us the simple delights of the old days, before the digital world arrived. Outside of the historic district Santiago is buzzing with energy and growth. Shiny skyscrapers tell a story of a thriving city with its eyes fixed on the future. Free-spirited students, artists, and businesspeople make this one of South America’s most progressive cities. The central Plaza de Armas is the perfect starting point for first-time visitors.

Santiago Travel Tips – How To Get From The Airport To Santiago

When searching for Santiago travel tips and how to get from the airport to Santiago there are a few things to have in mind. Santiago is served by Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, the seventh busiest airport in Latin American located 15 kilometers from Santiago. Here are you best ways to get from the airport to Santiago.

Bus

Flights to Santiago

There are public transport buses from the airport, but your safest and most efficient way of traveling by bus is with TurBus. They host a direct service from the airport to Santiago that runs every 20 minutes until midnight. The TurBus costs CH$1700 and get you into town in 45 minutes.

Taxis

Regular taxis are readily available outside the airport and Uber is also present in Santiago. A regular taxi costs between CH$12.000 – 30.000 and an UberX costs around CH$10.000 and gets you into town in around 25 minutes. 

Santiago Travel Tips – How To Get Around Santiago

Santiago in general is a flat city and I’m not speaking about the culture, I’m talking about the pavement. When searching for Santiago travel tips and how to get around town, this city has so much to offer and its extensive public transport system will get you into the nooks and crannies of Santiago. Let’s have a closer look. 

Santiago Public Transport

Bus

Buses in Santiago are run by Transantiago and are a cheap and convenient way of getting around town. Buses generally follow major roads and avenues, connecting with metro stations. A single bus ticket cost CH$1900. There are also the tourist bus options on Sundays called Circuito Cultural de Transantiago that loops around the main tourist attractions in the city. 

Metro

Santiago’s metro system is ever expanding and it’s a clean, efficient way of getting around Santiago. There are seven metro lines connecting the city with the seventh recently opened in 2019. Buy a single ticket for CH$400 or a Bip! Card; Santiago’s public transport card for CH$1100 that can be purchased at the ticket vending machines with various day passes. 

Taxi

Santiago has plenty of taxis around town painted black and yellow, and they are safe to hail on the street. Usually drivers run by the meters, the initial cost is CH$300 and then it’s CH$150 per 200 meters. There are also Taxi colectivos, a ride sharing service with set routes that costs around CH$1500-2000 per ride. Drivers are usually friendly and most taxis take credit cards. 

Best Places To Stay In Santiago

Are you looking for Santiago travel tips and the best places to stay in Santiago? Santiago has a fascinating and sometimes brutal history, but it has so much to offer when it comes to great food, culture and travel experiences. Let’s have a look at the best places to stay in Santiago so that you can get the most out of your Santiago travel experience. 

Centro district is just as it sounds located in the center of Santiago. Here’s where you find landmarks like the Teatro Municipal, the Cathedral of Santiago, the National Historical Museum, and the Plaza de Armas. Close to the central station and in the heart of Santiago, this is the best place to stay if you’re looking to be close to restaurants, shopping and the main tourist attractions. Easy to get around town by foot or using public transport.

Santiago

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Lotero

Recoleta y Bellavista is your choice if you want a more local experience, rather than living in the tourist center. This is a bohemian trendy area with beautiful paintings on the walls, art galleries, small boutiques and cafés. It’s also the place where some of the most active nightclubs are situated in Santiago. No matter your budget, this is one of the coolest places to stay in Santiago if you want the local travel experience. 

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Don Santiago-Bellavista

Lastarria is a higher class neighborhood located near Centro. The streets in the area are paved with beautiful cobblestones, and here you’ll get some of the best upscale dining in Santiago. This is the place to stay if you’re looking to live comfortably near great restaurants, cafés and boutiques with a calm and relaxed vibe. There are plenty of good hotels in the area. 

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria

Pastel de Choclo. Photo: Goya.com

What To Eat In Santiago

Santiago offers a unique travel environment and when it comes to food, this city is no different. When searching for Santiago travel tips and what to eat in Santiago, there are a few key dishes that you just have to try out that are significant for the Chilean capital. Let’s dig into those now, shall we?

Pastel de Choclo is a traditional corn pie that mixes egg, olives, ground beef or chicken and cooked to perfection in a hot oven. A local traditional food that has been around since the beginning for the 20th century and you have to try at least once when in Santiago.

Empanada de pino is a pastry stuffed with ground beef, onions, raisins, olives and hard boiled egg, then fired and served for you to enjoy. In other Latin countries it’s more like a snack, but in Chile the size is for you to enjoy it as a whole meal. 

Churrasco sandwich has thin slices grilled steak served in a local bread with tomatoes, avocado, mayonnaise and a fried egg on top of it. Served with french fries this tasty local dish is served as a street food around town. 

Arrollado de huaso is chopped up pork rolls mixed with bacon slices, chii and spices, rolled in pork skin and then boiled. Served with avocado salsa and veggies this southern chilean dish is something to try if you love meat.

Plaza de Armas

Top 7 Experiences You MUST Have In Santiago

1. Plaza de Armas is an important square in modern Chile, lined up with palm trees around these landmarks, monuments andhistorical buildings such as Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Royal Court Palace rising up around here. It’s a great way to start off in Santiago to get some Chilean history in. 
2. Cerro San Cristóbal is a park located in the center of Santiago 300 meters up on a hill. You can hike up there in 45 minutes or take a funicular. This park is home to the National Zoo, a japanese garden and a 22 meter Virgin Mary statue. Along with the most spectacular views of Santiago, this is a place for stunning views and relaxing moments. 
3. Ferias (street markets) are plentiful in Santiago with Los Dominicos, Santa Lucia and Mercado Central being the largest and most significant ones. Locals offer traditional arts and handcrafted souvenirs. And even though it can be a bit of a tourist trap, it’s still a great place to soak in the culture of Santiago, support the locals and eat some great food. 
   

   Cerro San Cristóbal

4. The Museo de la Memoria, the history of memory and human rights opened in 2010 and celebrates Chile’s 200 years of independence. It honors the victims of the 17 years of dictatorship that ended in 1973. The museum is free and offers plenty of information about Pinochet and his government and you can get an audio guide in english for a small fee to learn more about the history of Chile and Santiago.

5. La Chascona House is one of the three homes where Nobel Prize winner Pablo Nureda lived. The architecture reflects this great artist’s work, mirroring his style of vivid colors and creativity. It’s a fascinating attraction to learn more about his story and soak in some local culture while being in the Bellavista neighborhood. 

6. La Moneda is the presidential palace of Chile that stands proud in the center of Santiago. The majestic while building has a European style and is free to visit. It also offers guided tours if you are particularly interested in Chile’s political history. 
7. Parque Forestal is one of the most beautiful parks in Santiago that stretches along the Mapocho River. This is a great way to escape the buzzing city center for a morning walk or an afternoon stroll. Plenty of monuments such as the Monument to Writers of Independence, the German Fountain and the National Museum of Fine Arts are some landmarks to check out while in this green, relaxing park. 

Santiago Travel Tips Video

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Mark Ford – Founder of Plus1Travel.com – For More Travel Tips > Go Here