One of the first international destinations for many Brazilians, planning a trip to Santiago de Chile is not difficult.
I know… For those who practically lives traveling, saying that is easy. For those with less experience, however, preparing for this adventure can seem daunting or even impossible. How to find out where to stay, the best time to go, how not to get lost, etc.?
These are all common fears when visiting a new city, but I can assure you that there is no reason to feel this way in Santiago. The Chilean capital is super accessible, and with a little research you can plan your visit without too many complications.
In this post, I have gathered all the important information to plan a trip to Santiago de Chile. There are everything from documentation tips, best neighborhoods, transportation, food and more!
How to plan a trip to Santiago de Chile
How long to stay
To see the city's main tourist attractions, a long weekend (3 days) is enough. To visit the attractions calmly and get off the tourist trail a little, I recommend about five days.
If you intend to take day trips, such as Cajón del Maipo or Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, which take the whole day, the ideal is to reserve more time for the trip. In this case, a week is enough time.
When to go
Santiago de Chile is one of those destinations that can be visited all year round. Choosing when to go, then, depends on your objective.
If you want to see snow, the ideal is to visit the city between the end of June and the beginning of September, late autumn and the height of winter. Even so, you need to go to nearby regions such as Valle Nevado or Farellones, as it rarely snows in the country's capital.
In summer, temperatures are similar to those in Brazilian lands, and thermometers can reach up to 40ºC. It's a good time to take trips to Viña del Mar and Valparaíso, but it's also possible to visit these places during the rest of the year.
I went the first week of fall and, as I wasn't planning on skiing or seeing snow, I thought it was ideal. During the day more than once I got 30ºC and a lot of sun, while at night the thermal sensation was around 15ºC, nothing that a good coat and some wine couldn't solve.
What currency to take
Chile's currency is the Chilean peso. It is not advantageous to exchange reais for pesos here in Brazil, as the conversion is much worse compared to that practiced in Santiago. If you are going to bring reais, the ideal is to exchange some at the airport upon arrival, just enough to go to the hotel. Then exchange the rest at the exchange offices on Rua Agustinas, in the city center.
Conversion is more advantageous if you exchange US dollars, so it's a good opportunity to use this currency if you have some notes saved.
Documentation
Brazilians do not need a passport to visit Mercosur countries, so an identity card is enough to visit Chile. There is no clear rule regarding its validity, but it is recommended that it has been issued in the last ten years, has a current photo (there is no point in having a photo of yourself as a child if you are already an adult) and is in good condition.
You can also use your passport, if you want a stamp. In this case, the document can be requested through the Federal Police website, and costs R$257,25, valid for 10 years.
When passing through immigration, you will receive a Tourist Card, a paper with some information about your arrival. It is necessary to present it to do check-in in hotels and at the airport when you leave the country, so store it carefully!
Airline tickets
The main airport in the Chilean capital is Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez (SCL), just under 20km from the city center.
The main airlines that operate flights from Brazil to Santiago de Chile are LATAM, Avianca, Gol, Aerolíneas Argentinas and Emirates. Prices are similar among most of them, with values around R$1000 in both low and high season (September and January), leaving both from São Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG).
To find the best prices, I like to use the Passagens Promo website. In addition to being on the market for years and offering up to 25% discount on tickets, with the company it is also possible to pay in up to 10 installments by credit card or in cash via bank transfer. WhatsApp support works every day!
Guest Experience
When planning a trip to Santiago, keep in mind that the best neighborhoods to stay are Providencia and Bellavista. In fact, it is difficult to say whether both are proper neighborhoods or whether one is located in on the other, but the important thing is to know that they are in the same region.
It is ideal for those who want to be close to tourist attractions, as most of them are a few minutes away or just a few metro stations away. The nightlife is also very lively, with bars, clubs and restaurants for all tastes.
I stayed in Rado Boutique Hostel, on Pío Nono street and I thought the location was excellent. It was next to Patio Bellavista and close to Baquedano station, and by walking for twenty minutes it was possible to reach the historic center. There's a post here on the blog with a very detailed review. The price for a bed in a women's room was a little more than R$70.
Other legal options are:
- Quiral Hotel Boutique: With free wifi, flat-screen TV and air conditioning in the rooms, the property also serves breakfast and has a great terrace. It is close to the metro and prices start at R$400. Booking score: 9,2.
- Orly Boutique Hotel: All rooms have a TV, minibar and air conditioning. Breakfast is served at winter Garden, and there is an on-site restaurant that serves national and international cuisine. The daily rate for the simplest room is around R$500. Booking score: 9,0.
- Solace Santiago: Five-star hotel, close to Cerro San Cristóbal. There is an on-site restaurant, as well as an outdoor pool, gym and 24-hour reception. Wifi and breakfast are included in daily rates, which start at approximately R$750. Booking rating: 9,2.
If you pay for your accommodation in US dollars instead of Chilean pesos, you will be exempt from the 19% ISS fee. To be entitled to this discount, you must present your immigration card (the one I said you needed to keep carefully) and identification. I was given the option of paying in dollars with a credit card, but I also took cash in case there was no alternative.
Find the best prices for hotels in Santiago de Chile on Booking.
Travel insurance
Although it is not mandatory on a trip to Chile, I consider travel insurance an essential service. The prices are super affordable (start at R$9 per day for international trips!) and, if you need to use it, you will definitely save hundreds or even thousands of reais.
With insurance you are protected in case of any unforeseen events during your trip, especially medical problems, so you can heal quickly and continue enjoying your vacation. Furthermore, travel insurance also helps, for example, in case your flight is delayed or canceled, so you don't have to rely solely on the goodwill of the airlines.
Transport
Another reason why it is easy to plan a trip to Santiago is that the main tourist attractions in the region are close to each other. The city also has a great metro network, making renting a car completely unnecessary, as long as you are willing to use public transport.
If you stay in neighborhoods such as Providencia, Lastarria or Centro, you will be able to reach most attractions on foot. The longest walks I took were just under thirty minutes, and I reached places like Cerro Santa Lucía, Plaza de Armas and Mercado Central.
As I found walking everywhere enjoyable, I took the subway a few times. To use it you need to buy a rechargeable card called bip!, as paper or single passes are not sold. It is possible to purchase the card both at stations and in dedicated transport stores throughout the city. Fares vary according to the time, costing 630 pesos during off-peak hours and 780 between 7 and 9 in the morning and 6 and 8 at night.
To avoid getting lost, the trick is to use applications like Google Maps. You enter your current location and where you want to go, and it shows you the way on foot or using public transport, indicating the bus number, metro line and even which stop to get off at. There is already a post here on the blog explaining exactly how to use this app on trips!
For trips outside the city, such as Viña del Mar or Cajón del Maipo, it is possible to book excursions that include transportation. That's what I did and I found it very practical, and the price is very reasonable. If you prefer to rent a car, I recommend getting a quote with Rentcars, which compares prices between the best rental companies in the world.
Food
One of the parts that varies the most from person to person when planning a trip to Santiago is food.. This is because, depending on your travel style, it is possible to spend relatively little shopping at the market or more than R$200 per day.
For simpler restaurants in tourist areas, I spent between 5 and 10 thousand pesos (around 30 to 60 reais). I suggest setting aside around R$100 per day if you plan to have lunch and dinner out in popular places. This amount was expensive for my budget, and to spend less I ate a lot in fast food, especially Taco Bell where the prices were very friendly, less than a thousand pesos for some burritos.
One way to eat plentifully and save money is to look for style restaurants. soda fountain, kind of dinners that sell sandwiches and ready meals. The portions are very well served (I shared it with a friend and still had leftovers) and the prices are the most attractive – 6 thousand pesos for the entire dish.
if you are in hostel or apartment with kitchen, you can even shop at the market and prepare your own meals. I found the prices similar to those in Brazil, with the exception of wines. In this case, it was possible to find 1,5L bottles for 3000 pesos (just over 15 reais!!!!!).
Main Attractions
Last but not least when planning a trip to Santiago de Chile, you need to choose what to see in the city. With countless parks, museums, cafes, historic buildings, walking tours, markets and shopping malls, the region offers attractions for all styles of travelers.
Some of the most popular are:
- Cerro San Cristóbal: Inside the Metropolitan Park, the hill has one of the best views of the city. The climb can be done for free via a trail, but I recommend taking the funicular, which is cheap and quick.
- Patio Bellavista: With countless restaurants, bars and shops, it is great for enjoying the nightlife in the Providencia region. The price is a little steep for the region, so prepare your wallet.
- Sky Costanera: With the highest viewpoint in Latin America, this shopping mall offers a selection of national and international stores, as well as a unique view of the city. I suggest visiting at sunset.
- Historical Center: The impressive architecture is just one reason to visit the city center. With several exchange offices, cheap restaurants and landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral and Palacio La Moneda, it's easy to spend hours exploring the area's streets.
- lastarria: With museums, cultural centers, restaurants and street fairs, this neighborhood is a popular weekend destination for locals.
There's a complete post with my favorite tours in Santiago here on the blog.
The city's surroundings also offer interesting attractions, such as Cajón del Maipo (not to be missed), Isla Negra or Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Normally Brazilians take these tours with travel agencies (Santiago is full of them), and they include transport and guide, and sometimes even some snacks.
And that's everything you need to know to plan a trip to Santiago. Provide your documents, buy your ticket and insurance, book your hotel and create your itinerary! I promise it's easier than it looks 🙂
Do you have any questions? Just leave it in the comments!
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