Saturdays in South America: Weekend in Santiago, Chile
10pm flight out of DFW to Santiago, Chile on Thursday after work. We’ve got Friday off - let’s go girls!
After the overnight flight, we landed in Santiago bright and early Friday morning. First stop: checking in to The Ritz Carlton, Santiago in the beautiful El Golf neighborhood. The Christmas lights and hot chocolate bar were the perfect warm welcome to Chile.
Our first full day in Chile! We started with a coffee and croissant from the Argentinian staple: La Panera Rosa. We then headed in to the center of town for a free walking tour and a cable car ride that is worth the wait.
Pretty much every major city around the world offers free walking tours, and it has been a constant favorite during our travels. Don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of water, though, when you land in the opposite season and it’s peak summertime. And as always when traveling, stay vigilant when it comes to your belongings in the city’s downtown.
Also, if you happen to know a Spanish speaker, take them with you! My trip would have been far more complicated without one in our group.
We made a stop at Cafe Haiti and discussed the post-lunch coffee culture. This is a place to gather for all Santiago residents to have coffee and conversation after their lunch break - this is known as “Sobremesa.” The cafe offers only coffee, nothing else. The environment is simple, with standing room only, and designed for connection and culture building. The people of Chile choose to go somewhere each day based on the atmosphere, not based on what is served.
Fantastic coffee culture and conversation - sign me up!
We then headed to the stock exchange in an area where the architecture is Eurocentric and French-inspired in design. Many of the buildings have had to be rebuilt repeatedly after the many earthquakes that have hit Santiago. We saw the Supreme Court, Parliament, Santa Lucía Hill, Plaza de Armas, Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Moneda (the Presidential Palace at Plaza de la Constitución). The tour ended in Barrio Lastarria, and while we only briefly stopped for a quick coffee break at 38 41 Coffee Roasters, there are dozens of great spots to eat and drink your heart out throughout the neighborhood.
With the little energy we had left from a long day post-redeye, we walked through energetic Bellavista to the Funicular stop at Pío Nono. The Funicular up to the mountaintop park on San Cristóbal Hill and Teleférico all the way down to the stop closest to the Costanera Mall building - one of the tallest in South America - will give you unmatched views of the entire city. It was a highlight for sure!
We rounded out our first day by taking the metro back to Plaza Perú for dinner at Tiramisú. A place of fantastic atmosphere and known as a go-to place in Santiago.
Day 2: It is Saturday and we are off for a whole day of adventure!
We booked a full day excursion on Viator to explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar from Santiago. We were picked up at the Ritz Carlton at 8am and drove 2 hours through the Chilean countryside to Viña del Mar. The Reloj de Flores, fish markets (+ sea lions) and seaside town were a must-see, along with the Moai from Easter Island. We had the opportunity to learn more in depth history behind the pre-Columbian cultures that use to live in Chile.
Next, we were off to Valparaíso - the art town that stole our hearts. The steep hills (thank you, Funicular round 2!) and colorful wall murals made for a memorable day walking through the winding streets. Lots of pictures on the famous Pasaje Bavestrello staircase! Making our way back to Santiago, we stopped at the Casablanca Winery to enjoy some Chilean wine - the perfect follow-up to our seafood lunch.
Ending the night back in Santiago, we tried out a steakhouse called Carnal after failing in our quest for the perfect sunset rooftop view. Had we known, we would have made the oh-so-necessary reservation at the W hotel’s rooftop bar, Red2One, or Tramonto Bar and Terrace, for one (probably overpriced) sunset cocktail.
Sunday
was for relaxing and taking in the final moments in Chile (not to mention one last sobremesa at Patio Bellavista) before catching the redeye flight back to Dallas.
Take the Friday off. Sit in the airport and wish for a seat on the plane. Plan and dream for BIG things and go make them happen. Life is always worth it. 3 days, a new country, an exhale because you are alongside 2 women who make you laugh like no other- that is what it is all about.
