Planning a solo trip to Santiago, Chile? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:
QUICK FACTS
- Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city, with a population of around 6.9 million.
- Founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1541.
- Divided into comunas – political divisions similar to the boroughs of New York City.
- Located about 1 hour from the ski slopes and 1.5 hours from the beach.
- Nicknames: known to outsiders as “la capital.”
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Chilean peso (CLP).
- Spoken languages: predominantly Spanish.
- Best time to visit: from September to May (Santiago has a pleasant, mediterranean climate). Ski season is June through early October.
- Arriving via airport: two bus options exist – the Centropuerto and TurBus (both run 24/7, both cost 1,900 CLP one way or 3,400 return). Centropuerto (1st floor, Gate 6): terminates at Los Heroes. TurBus: terminates at Santiago Central Station. Both follow more or less the same route and stop at the metro/bus stations in the city centre. Journey takes 40 minutes, buses depart every 20 minutes (or every hour at night).
- A taxi ride is a bit quicker (25 minutes), but will cost 10x more (19,000 CLP). If traffic is especially bad (e.g. rush hour), expect to pay closer to 30,000 CLP. Go to the Vía Controlada transportation desk in Arrivals to arrange a taxi.
- Tip: if you see a 7 digit phone number (e.g. 333-3333), you must dial “2” first (e.g. 2333-3333).
WHERE TO STAY
- Best Santiago hostel for solo travelers: Hostel Forestal. In a great, central location – perfect for exploring the city. Very friendly staff, clean rooms, chilled atmosphere. Bathrooms could be a bit cleaner, but this is as good as it gets in Santiago!
- If you want to be in walking distance of the old city, Santiago’s downtown (Santiago Centro) has a wide range of accommodations and prices.
- Providencia is a little farther east, but you have quick access to many parts of the city via the subway (called Metro). The most exclusive hotels are located in Las Condes and Vitacura. These three are the safest areas of the city and are often recommended to new travelers.
GETTING AROUND
- The systems for getting around town include the Metro (subway) and city buses. The Metro will quickly take you to most centrally located sites of interest. Buses are slower, may be crowded, and/or require a long wait.
- You can purchase a prepaid transport Bip! card that will work on both the subway and city buses (buy one in any station). This is a contactless smart card that makes using public transport a breeze.
- Taxis are yellow and black and can be hailed on the street. Though more expensive than the subway or buses, short trips are priced reasonably.
SANTIAGO NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, no official last call (bars are open until early morning).
- Note: Bellavista (Baquedano Metro Station) is no longer as safe as it used to be. Fine by day, dangerous at night. Stay away.
- Good nightlife areas: Barrio Italia (Providencia) and Las Condes.
- Great bars to start your night: SOCiAL, Oculto Beergarden, and Jardin Mallinkrot.
- Looking for dancing? Head to Bar El Túnel and/or Subterraneo.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Cerro San Cristóbal is a hill with the statue of the Virgin Mary at the top. Take a ride in a gondola, visit the zoo, and take in the view of the city below.
- Plaza de Armas (at Plaza de Armas Metro) is Santiago’s main square. Take a chance to visit the city’s cathedral.
- El Pueblito de los Dominicos (Los Dominicos Metro Station). Old Dominican monastery and church. There’s also a crafts market, where you will find all sorts of souvenirs. Look for goods made with lapis lazuli, a blue stone found only in Chile and Afghanistan.
- Palacio Cousiño, a mansion from the 19th century that is open for tours.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Walk in Santiago Centro, on the north side of the Alameda. Take Paseo Ahumada all the way to Plaza de Armas. Palacio La Moneda (the presidential palace) is another noteworthy stop.
- Admire the French-style architecture and meandering streets on both Concha y Toro and Londres streets.
- Take a stroll through two recently inaugurated parks: Parque Bicentenario and Parque Juan Pablo II.
- Walk through the manicured gardens of Parque Forestal and stop at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes to admire the art.
LOCAL WISDOM
- Don’t forget to pack a sweater and/or a light jacket (mornings and evenings are cool, with the exception of the hottest summer days).
- Santiago is full of fuentes de soda (soda fountains) that serve as informal cafés. Be adventurous and try the Chilean version of a hot dog – the completo. It is topped with tomato, mayonnaise, sauerkraut, and avocado paste.
- Craving chocolate? Head to Brussels Heart of Chocolate (multiple locations).
- Great restaurants to try: Dondoh Santiago, Baco – Nueva de Lyon ($$$ – French), Silvestre Bistro, Antigua Fuente (sandwiches), Restaurante Hansoban (Korean), New Horizon (Indian food at a great price), Holy Moly (burgers), Tanta (Peruvian – multiple locations), and Ciudadano Restaurant.
- The core of Santiago is laid out in a grid, with streets running in straight lines. The Andes Mountains help you get your bearings. If you go to more residential neighborhoods, you will see that the streets have distinct names such as: Arkansas, Mar Negro and Hamburgo. Hardly any streets are named with numbers.
- Santiago remains conservative, though it has opened up from the world. If you stray from the norm, you will stand out.
- Do not carry any valuables on you. Take only the cash you need with you. Never take your wallet out in public to count money.
- Dangerous areas: The main danger in the city’s tourist area is theft. Try not to walk in Santiago Centro at night and avoid the comunas to the south, north and west of Santiago Centro.
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days