Santiago Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay, and Travel Tips
CITY BREAKS
Santiago was the first stop in my South America trip – my first taste of this vast new continent I had never explored before. It was worlds away from what I expected. I had initially expected it to be a layover city, but as I started researching, I started to discover just how much it had on offer.
LATAM flies directly to Santiago from both Melbourne and Auckland, which worked perfectly as I was flying from Melbourne and meeting one of my best friends from New Zealand there, who I’d be spending the next 3.5 weeks with. Bex’s flight from Auckland landed shortly after mine, so after spending the first hour or so in South America chilling on the airport floor, she arrived and we made our way via Uber to our hotel.
My first impressions were that it was a lot like any other city, but what stood out was the looming Andes in the background, covered in a light layer of smog. It was January, so it was a scorcher of a day – about 35 degrees Celsius. Despite having lived in Melbourne for 8 years, you think I would be used to the heat – but the Melbourne summer had an extremely late start, so I had not got used to the heat again.
After we checked into our hotel and after a quick nap that turned into a few hours, we set off to do some exploring.
It takes a lot for me to be wow-ed by a city nowadays – as I’ve gotten older, I tend to prefer to be in nature over bustling cities. But Santiago did wow me!
Strolling down the streets of the historic centre, it felt more like we were in Europe than anything I’d expected in this pocket of the world. We passed grand palaces, museums, galleries and historic banks. Although we didn’t do this (thanks to the heat) I think a walking tour of Santiago would have been fascinating to learn more about the history of these buildings.
Where I stayed:
Hotel Casa Zañartu
Cost per night: AUD$68/USD$45 inc. breakfast
Room type: Classic Room (Queen bed) private bathroom
Website: https://www.casazanartu.cl/es/index.html
This quaint hotel was a perfect starting point for our trip. The hotel lobby and corridors feel like you have stepped into a museum, with it’s historical feel and décor. The room had double French doors opening onto the communal balcony, which had a very European feel to it.
The only downside was the communal balcony was also where they served breakfast from 7am, so it could get noisy when diners came down. Thanks to our jetlag it wasn’t an issue for us, but if you aren’t one for early starts, this may not be the place for you.
Where I ate:
Tijuana TACOS Plaza Brasil
What I ate: Nachos
What I drank: Margarita
What I spent: AUD$24/USD$16
These were incredible nachos – and they did not shy away from the guac, so a massive bonus! The staff there were so kind, and it was a great people-watching spot with the tables along the sidewalk.
Wonderland
What I ate: Smoked salmon bagel
What I drank: Juice of the day
What I spent: AUD$22.50/USD$14.90
A little on the pricier side, but this hotspot is popular with tourists and locals alike. The venue really does feel like you stepped into a magical wonderland! We sat in the courtyard with tiled floors, hanging vines and lanterns on the wall – making it feel like we were in another time and place.
They are renowned for their sweet treats, which I wish I was hungry for – some of the diners treats looked deliciously extravagant!
Sanguchería Ciudad Vieja
What I ate: A falafel flatbread with fries
What I drank: A green juice
What I spent: AUD$21/USD$13
As someone who has lived most of my adult life in Melbourne, I am a bit of a brunch snob! This place definitely delivered, it had a fun vibe and my coffee was strong – just how I like it!
El Honesto Mike - Lastarria
What I ate:
What I drank: 3x pairing wines – a Rose, and two Malbecs
What I spent: AUD$34.70/USD$23
This was definitely one of the unhealthier meals I ate in Santiago – and worth every calorie and carb. The loaded fries were as close to poutine as I’ve had outside of Canada, and the serving really could have served two – but I was a hungry gal! The décor of this restaurant was very edgy, bordering on creepy, but it’s part of the appeal!
What I Did:
Wine Tour and Tasting
Cost of wine tasting & tour: AUD$44/USD$29.10
Cost of Uber from city centre: AUD$12.20/USD$8.10
This winery is about 40 minutes via Uber from Santiago city centre. Within that 40 minutes you are transferred from the hustle and bustle of the city to the industrial suburbs, and finally arriving at this serene and beautiful winery. We had booked the day before for an English-speaking tour at 10am and were surprised we were the only ones there!
That meant we had a private tour with the lovely and knowledgeable host, who not only talked to us about the history of the winery but also wine, culture and the environment of Chile.
After the tour we had a tasting of the wines in a picturesque corner of the garden, looking out over the vines under the shade of the trees (it was about 34 degrees!). The wines were very generous pours, making the whole experience amazing value for money.
Explore Barrio Yungay
Cost: Free!
This eccentric suburb is just west of the main centre and is easily accessible on foot or train. The streets are filled with street art, bringing life to otherwise old and warn buildings. As you wander down the tree-lined streets, you will find quaint cafes and wine bars, and historic mansions and parks. Parque Quinta Normal is a sprawling green park in the heart of Barrio Yungay and is popular for families and groups of friends to picnic here or to rent a paddle boat on the ponds. It’s also home to several attractions including the National Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Science and Technology, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
There are parts of Barrio Yungay which can be unsafe at night, so I would recommend visiting through the day or evening. Another good idea is to do a walking tour of the area, and that way you will also learn more about its rich cultural history.
Learnt about Chile's history
Museum of Memory and Human Rights
Cost: Free (but accept donations)
This is a harrowing museum, but it’s one of my top recommendations for Santiago. Santiago has a traumatic history that was not so long ago, in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Through the museums wide array of exhibits and collections, you will be educated on the human rights violations that occurred during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet from 1973 to 1990.
The museum is free to enter, serving as a place to honour the victims, promote human rights and ensure that such abuses are never forgotten or repeated. Given this, I would recommend leaving a donation to help them continue their mission.
Park Plaza Apart Hotel
Cost per night: AUD$88/USD$58.30
Room Type: One bedroom loft apartment (King bed)
Website: https://www.parkapartments.cl/
This place was so great, I stayed here twice! It’s a full apartment with the amenities of an Airbnb, and the location was unbeatable. The apartment complex also has laundry facilities and a pool, so it’s perfect for longer stays.
Hotel Casa Zañartu
Tijuana TACOS Plaza Brasil
Wonderland
La Guapas Bodega y Restaurante
Day Trip to Valparaiso + Walking Tour
Transport cost: AUD$2.40/USD$1.60 for the return metro, then AUD$18.80/USD$12.40 for the return bus ticket to Valparaiso (can be less in low season or if booked further in advance).
Tour cost: Tip-based
If you have the time, a day trip to Valparaiso is a perfect getaway from the city and a chance to explore a different part of Chile (and escape the heat if you are there in summer!).
There are lots of options of tours that leave from Santiago, however we decided to save our pennies and make our way there on public transport. It was a long way of travelling – we had to catch a metro to Terminal Pajaritos, then a bus from there to Terminal Rodov. in Valparaiso, and lastly a 25-minute walk from the bus station to Cerro Alegre – the start to the main tourist hotspot (a hotspot for a good reason).
Cerro Alegere and Cerro Concepcion areas are adorned with street art, and often you will find live music and dance performances, making it a lively and vibrant destination. It also has a rich history, which is why we decided to take a walking tour – so we could learn more about Valparaiso’s past and be shown all the must-see spots.
Our guide was incredible – not only did he teach us about the maritime history and the cities golden years as an international trading hub, but also the decline, the devastating earthquake of 1906, and the political challenges and protests of the past few years.
Clearly, it’s not just me that thought this tour was amazing – the thousands of 5* reviews on Trip Advisor agree!
Explore the Bellavista neighbourhood
Cost: Free!
Bellavista is another vibrant neighbourhood in Santiago – similar in a way to Barrio Yungay, but swap out the tree-lined streets and historic mansions for bars, clubs, and live music venues.
Patio Bellavista is a complex in the heart of the neighbourhood set in a courtyard and is a hotspot for dining and entertainment, with a few boutique souvenier shops.
Another popular and worthy attraction here is the funicular up to the suit of San Cristobal Hill. This scenic ride takes you up the steep incline, covering approximately 485 metres. There is a stop along the way for those visiting the National Zoo, and then the second and last stop offers a large terrace offering views of the urban landscape with the Andes mountains in the background. You can also explore the gardens, different trails, café’s and the Statue of the Virgin Mary – a significant religious symbol for the Catholic community.
Instead of going straight back down, you can walk across to the cable car, which offers different viewpoints of the city and the parks below. The cable car does drop you off in a different part of Santiago however, so keep that in mind whilst trip planning! We used this as an opportunity to walk 20 minutes to the Costanera Mall, where we also visited Sky Costanera (more on this below).
View Santiago from above
Cost: AUD$29.70/USD$16
If you want to see Santiago from above, there is no better viewpoint than the Sky Costanera observation deck – the tallest building in Latin America. It provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and surrounding mountains. We went up here for sunset, where they had a live singer performing and a pop-up wine bar handing out free samples. For such a popular attraction in peak season, it didn’t feel too busy, with ample space to secure a good spot to view the sunset.
Shop at Costanera Shopping Mall
Cost: Free (if you can resist the temptation to shop)
If you need to pick up anything for your travels, especially if you are heading down to Patagonia, this is the place to go. As the name suggests, the Costanera Centre Mall is home to the Sky Constanera observation deck, and is also the largest mall in Latin Amerca.
Not only can you find the usual suspects – Zara, Mango, H&M – you can also find Decathalon, the largest and cheapest outdoor gear chain in South America. If you are heading to Patagonia next, I highly recommend buying any gear you need here as opposed to down there. However, if you can bring all your gear from the US or Europe, even better. This option is more for people like me on longer trips who don’t want to be lugging their camp gear across the continent prior to Patagonia!
Top tips:
When to go: - Santiago is a year-round destination! If you are visiting in summer, beware of the heat! Like Australia and New Zealand, Chile is one of those unlucky countries that are effected by the ozone layer hole, making it easier to burn. So, be sun smart and wear sunblock!
In winter, you can visit the ski resorts not too far from Santiago, which aren't too expensive.
Getting around: The first couple of times I needed transport to/from the airport, I used Uber or Didi, which generally cost around AUD$20/USD$13.20. But then I realised how cheap and easy the bus was! The closest bus stop to the city is Los Héroes, and from there you can either jump on the metro or walk to your hotel. The fare is only AUD$3.30/USD$2.20.
The metro system is an easy way to get around, however you need a BIP card which can only be loaded with cash, not card. These cost about AUD$2.50/USD$1.70. The standard fare cost is AUD$1.25/USD$0.85, slightly lower during off-peak and slightly higher during peak times.
Where to stay: I’d recommend hotels over Airbnbs! Of course, there is a socionomic argument around the serious housing crisis that Airbnb has contributed to, but aside from that – the hotels here are generally better value for money. A lot include breakfast (which can add up quickly!) and are kept at a higher standard than a lot of apartment rentals in the city.
In terms of location, anywhere in the historic centre is a perfect hub for exploring!
Money: Most other places accept card, so you won’t need too much cash on you. However, if you are travelling outside of Santiago, more places accept cash only. Because the Chilean banks ATM fees are SO expensive here (lowest I found was AUD$12/USD$8) I would bring either Chilean Pesos with you from your home country, or bring USD to exchange as they have a better rate than AUD/NZS/EUR etc.
Another cheap option if you run out of cash is to use Western Union – all you need to do is set up an account (less than 10 minutes online), and transfer your money from your bank account to the details Western Union give you, bring your passport with you to a local Western Union, give them the code and pick up your money! It only takes a few minutes to transfer.
Jetlag: If you are travelling from Australia or New Zealand – be warned – the jetlag is REAL! Both times I flew from Melbourne to Santiago I suffered from jetlag lasting a couple of days, and I am normally quite adapting to dealing or completely avoiding jetlag. Make sure you don’t make any grand plans for a day or two and try your best to sleep at normal times.
I hope this post helps to show Santiago as an exciting destination on it's own - not just the "stopover" destination I once thought it was!
Appreciate Chilean Art
Cost: Free!
This is a perfect rainy-day activity in Santiago, or in our case, a perfect spot to escape the heat. The museum itself is a grand, beautiful building completed in 1910. The museum is home to an extensive collection of Chilean art from the colonial period to contemporary works. It also houses international pieces from Europe and beyond.
Wander up Santa Lucia Hill
Cost: Free!
Santa Lucia Hill is a park located in the heart of Santiago, and has a historical significance as the location that Santiago was founded in 1541. You can explore Casillo Hidalgo – a reconstructed fort that showcases panoramic city views, as well as wander through the gardens and viewing monuments, statues, and fountains.
This is a great spot for sunset – it can get crowded, but worth it for the views, especially on clear nights when you can see the Andes!
Santiago is somewhere I could easily return to (ideally with a bigger budget, which seems to be a common thought I’ve had in South America).
Here is an overview of how I spent my time in Santiago! Note there are a few accommodations – we did a side trip to San Pedro de Atacama (more on that here), and I also had to return to Australia briefly, flying back into Santiago before continuing my South America adventure.
Prices were what I paid at the time in 2024, please check updated prices when travel planning!
Casa Marina Huérfanos
Cost per night: AUD$53/USD$35.50 inc. breakfast
Room Type: Double room with shared bathroom
Website: https://casa-marina-huerfanos.santiago-chile-hotels.net/es/
I wish I could have stayed here longer! I stayed one night when I was travelling solo, transiting in Santiago for a night before flying back to Melbourne. Similar to Hotel Casa Zañartu, this charming hotel felt like I had stepped back in time. My bedroom was light-filled and massive. Despite the “shared bathroom” facilities, I didn’t see another soul there so I felt like I had the place to myself! They also had kitchen facilities to cook your own food, and even the kitchen was beautiful.
La Quinta
Cost per night: AUD$136/USD$90 inc. breakfast
Room Type: King room, private bathroom
I stayed at this airport hotel after flying back from Rio de Janeiro, before flying to Lima the next morning. I am so paranoid about delayed or cancelled flights, so unless my connecting flights are on one ticket with a guaranteed connection, I always try to allow for a night in between.
This hotel was one of the better ones from the airport hotel selection that I’d found, and for a decent price. They have a nice restaurant attached where Bex and I shared a final meal before she flew home to New Zealand that night.
Casa Marina Huérfanos
Casa Marina Huérfanos
Sangucheria Ciudad Vieja
Valparaiso
Barrio Yungay
Museum of Memory and Human Rights
Vina Aquitania
Bellavista
Sky Costanera
