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Santiago |
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Santiago de Chile is the capital of Chile, a country on the west coast of South America.
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SEE DO EAT
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 SEE
- Parque Metropolitano - This vast park is home to Cerro San Cristóbal. From the top there is a beautiful view over the city and, on a clear day, the Andes. The summit can be reached by funicular, cable car, or a long hike. In the park there is also a botanical garden, zoo and two swimming pools. Pope John Paul II visited its summit in 1987.
- Plaza De Armas - The capital's main plaza, also the sight of the national cathedral and main post office. Not very clean but otherwise interesting area of major historical importance.
- Santiago Centro - The Centro (Downtown) area is a nice place for a stroll down some of its major Paseos (streets turned pedestrian walkways), watch out for pickpockets.
- Cerro Santa Lucia - A park with fountains and stairs leading up to the top. The summit has a great view of all but the skyscraper-obscured city center. Charles Darwin visited this peak at one point in his travels.
- La Chascona - One of three homes of the famous poet Pablo Neruda, La Chascona (meaning tangle-haired woman, after his third wife) is located in the artistic Bellavista neighborhood. The house is filled with lots of quirky artifacts collected by Neruda throughout his life, as well as artwork by some of his famous friends. Tours are given in English and Spanish.
- La Moneda Palace - Presidential Palace, guided one-hour tours are free, unfortunately with a reservation of at least 15 days in advance. [1]
- Parque Forestal - A long park that runs parallel to the Mapocho River, also site of the National Museum of Fine Arts and Modern Art Museum.
- Theatre & Dance - Santiago offers much in the performing arts, most takes place Friday & Saturday, check listings in El Mercurio. $500-5000 CLP, most offer discounts with student ID, even to foreigners, just ask.
- Centro Cultural Matucana 100 - Inaugurated in 2002, Matucana 100 is an excellent exhibition venue for a variety of arts. From Metro Quinta Normal, walk south on Matucana (towards Alameda), M100 is on the left hand side. [2]
- Teatro Municipal - Historical performance venue, including international dance and opera, worth a visit even if just from its outside. [3]
- Jazz Clubs - Santiago is home to an impressive jazz scene, with several intimate clubs scattered throughout the city. The Club de Jazz de Santiago is arguably the best. Located in the northern part of the Nunoa neighborhood, this small club routinely brings in some of the best local, national, and international artists specializing in everything from latin jazz to blues to bossa nova. Check music listings in El Mercurio.
- Festival de Jazz de Providencia - A very good jazz Festival takes place during summer (typically each february) in Providencia. The Festival de Jazz de Providencia takes place each year in Mapocho's riverside and showcasts the best local bands and some international guests. Tickets are cheap (from about 3 USD in the 2007 edition), so it's a good alternative for summer nights.
- Hidalgo Castle
- Pirque
- San Jose de Maipo
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DO
Go wine tasting, right in the city. Concha y Toro (http://www.conchaytoro.com), is one of Chile's largest producers, and they have a modern, Napa Valley-style tasting room and gift shop set up. Tours are given regularly in both Spanish and English, and they can be booked via email. It is probably one of the few wineries in the world that is easily accessed by public transportation from a major city. From the center of town, it should take around an hour to access by subway and bus.
Many mountains are found in and all around Chile great for climbing.
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EAT
Where
- The Downtown area is dotted with restaurants. One worth a visit is the Bar Nacional, which offers hearty meals and a range of local and imported drinks.
What
- Mote con Huesillo: A delicous summertime drink made of wheat seeds (mote) and dried peaches (huesillos), boiled, sweetened, and served cold. Typically sold on sidewalk or park stands.[4]
- Sopaipillas: A Chilean-style tortilla made of wheat and pumpkin, also sold in streetside stands.
- Terremoto ("Earthquake"): a typical Chilean drink that consists in a mix of pineapple ice cream with pipeño (like white wine).
Drink
Chilean wine is very good and cheap and is available at all restaurants.
The typical Chilean drink is Pisco (chilean version of the peruvian pisco, although 35 proof) and is usually ordered as cocktail called a Pisco Sour, which masks the strength of Pisco somewhat and also tastes good. Most Chilean and in many menus, you will see Pisco offered with sodas, such as Coca-Cola (called a Piscola). Drinking rum is also in vogue.
A beer is often referred to as a "Chela". Most Chilean beer is not very good and the most advertised one called "Cristal" is at best mediocre. The best choice is "Kunstmann" (made in Valdivia, located in the south of Chile), or if you want to be like a Chilean order a "Escudo" which is easy to drink and cheap.
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