Santiago - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
We have young kids, and we like hiking, so we have largely avoided wineries. There are TONS of nice wineries nearby though. Our local outings are generally more nature-centered. These are all excellent day or weekend trips from Santiago: - Quintay - Zapallar - Bioparque Puquen - Lomas del Viento Trail - Parque Yerba Loca - Parque Andino Juncal - The Maipo Valley (and Refugio Plantat hike) There are also cool trails within Santiago, including some that can be accessed on foot from embassy houses in Lo Barnechea. Look at AllTrails for ideas. - Dec 2020
Anything that isn't a normal tourist find is a secret or hidden gem. There are places art galleries and restaurants in bella vista and bella artes that most expats in a bubble don't know exist. There are places for ropes courses if you like that kind of thing as well as paint ball located in the city. - Feb 2016
We spend most weekends relaxing at home, going on walks, stopping at the few cafes, getting a bite to eat. If you have a vehicle or you rent a car for the weekend you can take day trips to Cajon del Maipo, the long coastline that's stretched from San Antonio all the way up to Con Con etc, Pomaire (pottery town), La Ligua (sweaters town). There's Easter Island which gets some great and some less great reviews and a little pricey to get to. Hidden Gem: Quintay beach is nice and not too far away. Casa Botha (not hidden) is a yummy restaurant to go to. Pricey though. Emiliana Vineyard is organic and adorable with little chickens running around. - Nov 2014
Skip the museums (Belles Artes is uninspired but has a great cafe, and the Museo de Memoria, while interesting, is tired, witth an oddly disjointed display) and travel outside of Santiago to the mountains for condor spotting, to wineries, to the beach, to quaint fishing villages. One fun and up-and-coming neighborhood is near the Santa Isabel metro station, with jazz clubs and funky bars and restaurants. - Oct 2014
Skiing an hour away in the winter. The beach 1-2 hours away year round. Vineyards of varying distances, but as close as 30 minutes. Lots of easy weekend trips. Nice malls. Lots of art/culture. - Sep 2011
There are many things to do in the area, such as skiing, river rafting, beaches, mountains, vineyards, and many other outdoor related activities. - Jul 2010
Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, lots and lots of things to do and see in the north and south. Chile is a very interesting country. - Jul 2009
Too many to list - grab a guidebook for ideas. - Apr 2009
Going to the Beach (Sosua and Cabarete-kitesurfing), hiking at nearby Armando Bermudez National Park, walking, people watching at the Parque Central, shopping, and there is a jazz club in the center of town that I hear is great. - Sep 2008
Hiking, Patogonia, Ferry/Cruise, wildlife to see, the beach, mountains, museums, theaters, restaurants, and so much more. Chile has virtually everything available that you'd find in the USA. It's a very long country, as so there are always new and vastly different places to explore and visit, such as the desert in the north, to Patagonia in the south. - Jul 2008
