Santiago People & Culture

We experienced Santiago as a wonderful city in the spring. Nice restaurants, shops, cafes, streets, sights, people and feeling...
I thought it was one of the cities I would come back!

Chile is a great country and Santiago is one big, huge city with lots and lots of things to see en do but you have to know that a lot of people are realy poor. This makes that, if you do not be carefull, you can be robbed. Here are some advices I learned from my best friend Andres, which lives in Santiago.
On the bus:
- When you take a bus try to sit as close as possible to the driver.
- Never let a place next to you where a possible robber can sit down.

When walking on the street:
- If you cross people looking dangerous try not to speak on the moment of crossing. Otherwise they will hear you are tourists and easy victims.
- Don't put stuff (money, creditcards, passports) in your pants. Put it in a safe place.
- Look carefully when crossing a street even if there are lights.
- Do not start talking with beggars.

You have different areas in Santiago where you can go out. This means that in these areas the concentration of café's, discothecs and restaurants is higher then other.
Very popular are Bellavista, across the river and against the flancs of a popular mountain. On and near the bridge people are selling things and there is also a local market with artisanal things.
Nunoa, on a big square with parc and lots of cafés and restaurants, very nice during the day.
Suecia like Bellavista a nice area with a lot of terrases and very well alive.
In Providencia and Las Condes, El Golf you also have restaurants and cafes but they are more spread, more expensive and more for business lunches.

Enjoy!!

I traveled by myself for three weeks throughout the Southern Cone of Chile, Argentina Uruguay. I never had a problem of any sort.

The South American people I encountered were friendly and helpful. The food is delicious. The Andes Mountains are breathtaking!

Just remember, a little common sense goes a long way! Enjoy!

For Food Restaurants a great place is Patio Bellavista, in Bellavista neighborhood. Delicious food, nice people and affordable prices. For Nightlife, you can also go to Bellavista neighborhood. For Sightseeing and Attractions, you can go to Santa Lucía Hill or San Cristobal Hill. The first one is quiet and easy to clim. In the second one, you can find the National Zoo and a number of parks, like the Japanese park.

They recently made this new underground cultural centre. It's in 'La Moneda'. If you're interested in seeing some of the local products they show work (art, pottery, ponchos,...) from all across the country in some shops. You can buy some of the typical local food and snacks, see pictures of the country, ... It's pretty much in the centre of the capital.

Check out brand new Cafe Paris down to Barrio Brasil, enjoy the wonderful view from its terrace overlooking the famous and popular Plaza Brasil. you can aslo taste a large variety of coffee and cocktails in general, a nice place to laid back and listen good music, friendly staff the address is Huerfanos St. 2080

City is covered in smog during Chile's winter months so not so attractive.

We experienced Santiago as a wonderful city in the spring. Nice restaurants, shops, cafes, streets, sights, people and feeling...
I thought it was one of the cities I would come back!

Regular city. Watchout for the air pollution!!! Move on to other better cities in Chile.

Santiago is the capital of Chile. Great place, very clean. Santiago is in the foot of the Cordilheira dos Andes.

Smog smog smog.. noise noise noise