Organizing a trip to an unknown destination always raises doubts, but visiting Santiago de Chile It is a rewarding experience if you come with the right information. From the imposing Andes Mountains to its bohemian neighborhoods, the city offers a unique contrast that deserves to be explored with intelligence and planning.
10 recommendations for visiting Santiago de Chile
The first thing you have to know to visit Santiago de Chile is that the public transport system (Red) works exclusively with the Bip! card. You cannot pay with cash on buses or the Metro, so acquiring this card at any station is your number one priority to move freely around the city.
As in any large capital, security is a key point when traveling Santiago de Chile. Although it is a friendly city, it is recommended to avoid showing off valuable objects in busy areas of the historic center and prefer neighborhoods such as Providencia, Las Condes or Vitacura to stay, as they offer a wide gastronomic offer and greater tranquility at night.
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So that you don’t miss anything, here we present the most important recommendations that you should consider during your time through Santiago de Chile:
- Bip! Card: buy it as soon as you arrive to use the Metro and buses.
- Health insurance: it is always better to travel with private medical assistance.
- Currency exchange: compare quotes in the center (Agustinas Street) before exchanging large sums.
- Tap water: it is drinkable, although it has many minerals; If you have a sensitive stomach, prefer bottled water.
- Tips: it is suggested to leave 10% in restaurants (the “service”).
- Shopping hours: malls usually close at 8:30 or 9:00 p.m.
- Transportation apps: Uber, Cabify and DiDi work perfectly and are very safe.
- Weather: in summer the sun is very strong, use sunscreen even if it is cloudy.
- Connection: buy a local prepaid chip to have mobile data at all times.
- Sky Costanera: I went up to the highest viewpoint in Latin America to have the best panoramic view.
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You can’t leave Santiago de Chile without trying a “complete Italian” or a “mote con huesillo” in one of its traditional markets. The cultural offering is immense, and spending an afternoon at the Memory Museum or the La Moneda Cultural Center will allow you to better understand the identity and recent history of this vibrant neighboring country.
