Getting to Know Santiago, Chile

Surrounded by mountains, filled with a strong urban energy, growth and charisma, Chile's capital of Santiago is not a place to miss if you're on your way to Chile. While most travelers are drawn to other parts of the country, from the extreme beauty of glaciers in Patagonia, to salt planes and geysers in the north, but Santiago also offers a variety of sights and activities to explore. From art museums to fish markets, a visitor can fill several days getting to know the city.

Most of Santiago's notary sights can easily be reached by its efficient metro system. In general it is quite speedy, and exceptional clean as well as safe. Traveling early in the morning or evening (8am or 7pm) will get you tangled in the hectic pace of Santiago's rush hour, but the metro is still much easier to use at this hour than the bus system.

This is not to say that you shouldn't take a few bus rides. Known as "micros" in the city, the bus system is a bit disorganized, but an experience in itself. Micros will take you almost anywhere you want to go, just not always right away. The micro is also a venue for street musicians and salesman selling anything from band-aids to pamphlets detailing labor laws, or strumming one of many Chilean folksongs.

One micro route will pass through several of Santiago's deeply contrasting neighborhoods. From extremely nice houses with swimming pools, lush gardens and intriguing architecture in communities such as Las Condes, to the polar opposite realities that exist in communities such as Peñalolén or LA Florida. Chilean culture is divided deeply by class, and these divisions are evident as you travel from one neighborhood to the next.

The nightlife is as diverse as the neighborhoods. Catch a drink at a trendy but expensive fusion bar in uptown Vitacura, chase it with a cold draft beer (known as schop) in one of the pubs located next to the charming Plaza ѐuñoa, and dance the rest of the night away in a seedy but hopping club in Bellavista.

Cultural activities and events thrive in Santiago, so if that night of bar hopping didn't stop you, get out and visit one of the many museums throughout the city. The national museum of Bellas Artes has an interesting permanent collection, and also hosts internationally renowned artists and collections in their temporary exhibits. Photos from Henri Cartier Bresson, sculptures crafted by Auguste Roding, and a long list of others have graced the walls of the museum.

Don't leave out the other museums though, some of the most interesting exhibits arrive to some of the smaller locations, such as the cultural center of Las Condes. Theater is also abundant in Santiago, with new shows opening every weekend in a number of different venues.

After visiting a museum or two, take a break and enjoy one of Chile's wines. Vineyards are also located within a short drive of the city and English tours are available at most. When your time is up in Chile, don't forget to bring a good selection of wine home, no trip to Chile is complete without a few wine bottles tucked away in your suitcase.

The best that Santiago has to offer lies around the city. Located just south of Santiago, the Cajun del Maipo is a must see. About two hours outside of the city, and easily accessible by tourist agency buses, is Banos Morales. Several hot springs give the small village its name, but wait to enjoy them until after you have made the four-hour hike to El Morado, a Chilean National Landmark that is marked by an impressive mountain covered by the San Francisco Glacier.

To the north of Santiago there are several other parks worth exploring. Several different trails take you to scenic lookouts and another glacier in Yerba Loca. This park is located on the way to Farellones, a popular ski resort. Several other world class slopes also lie near, making a mid June to August getaway to the slopes possible.

Wherever your interests may lie, it is not difficult to find them near Santiago. It is the perfect way to begin or end a trip to the south of Chile or one of the nearby neighbors.