March 5, 2018

Quick Guide to 3 Days in Santiago, Chile

Table of Contents

Getting Around:

Chile is a skinny but long country located in the western coast of South America. The country stretches as long as California and Oregon combined. Getting around Chile can be tricky but there are several options at your finger tips.

In Santiago, Transantiago runs all the public transit through the city and is easily accessible. You will need to purchase a rechargable Bip! card at the ticket booth of any metro station. Cash will not be accepted onboard. You can read more about Transantiago here.

Taxi and Ubers are also cheap options. I prefer using Ubers for safety measures. Theft is very common in Chile and so are unmarked taxis.

My favorite option of course is hiring a driver. I hired Mauricio Escobar who runs “I’ll Take You”. He is a Spanish speaking guide who speaks little English. He is a fantastic driver and even designed a custom made itinerary for me. I told him what I like to do and he made all the arrangements. We connected through WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. For his contact info, please message me.

Language:

Spanish is the primary language in Chile. It is rare to find someone who speaks English even at excursions. If you don’t speak Spanish, I recommend learning a few words and download Google Translate or Microsoft Translate.

What To Eat:

Pastel del Choclo and Empanadas are the two main dish in Chile. Pastel del Choclo is a corn and beef casserole usually served as a favorite during the winter months, but you can find them anywhere throughout the year. Empanadas are stuffed baked pastries. They are usually filled with cheese and shrimp, various meats, or cheese and tomatoes. For my vegan and vegetarian friends, finding a place that fits your dietary needs is very difficult but more vegetarian restaurants are popping up more than ever.

Currency:

In Chile, the Chilean Pesos is used. Make sure that your bills are not ripped or torn. They may not be accepted.

$1 = CP595.46

€1 = CP727.13

£1 = CP818.53

¥1 = CP5.58

Hotels:

Hotels and Hostels are relatively cheap in Chile. If you’re only in Chile for a few days, Santiago Centro is the best location for you. Most tours pick up in Downtown Santiago and day trips to Valparaíso or the Andes are easy to get to.

I decided to book an apartment space through AirBnB. For 5 nights, I paid about $220. The apartment included a front desk reception, full kitchen, warm shower, air conditioning, TV, wifi, and more. Air conditioning is very important during the summer months!