Santiago, Chile

Overall Impression: Super Catholic and conservative (divorce law only passed in 2004) produces a city of awkwardly shy people who enjoy strange public displays of affection everywhere to an uncomfortable degree. Apparently the kids don’t live on their own until they get married, so the only alternative for them to explore is out on city streets and behind bushes in the parks. I called out a few with some “woohoos” and “oh yea!”

I think Chileans are confident people especially with their strong economy backed by China, their largest trading partner. Thus, the customs officials were not too polite with us Americans and we even had to pay a ridiculous US $131 reciprocity fee upon arrival. It’s not a visa, but a penalty tax because the US charges a visa fee for visiting Chileans. The city itself is beautifully nestled within the Andes.


I think all the sights worth visiting in this topographically diverse country is outside the city and in the rural and natural areas (Patagonia, Easter Island, and the deserts up North). The subway system is clean, cheap and fast! People not so friendly.

Cheap v.s. Crack Cheap:
Again, it’s not crack cheap and slightly more expensive than Buenos Aires.

Hotels were expensive. We stayed at the Sheraton Santiago Hotel and Convention Center which was right on the freeway and near everything, but it was too loud! Avoid at all cost. Our initial hotel room (US $173/night) was cramped and overheated and the staff unresponsive. Alas, I pushed our way to a free upgrade to their suite and a refund of one night so the stay redeemed itself. Apparently the Santiago Ritz Carlton is the cheapest Ritz Carlton in the world at US $345/night. Stay there instead!!

Exchange Rate: Divide by 500 (or remove both the single and double digits and divide by 5 = US $1).

Gastronomy: I read a great article about how Chilean food is subtle because Chile never had slaves like Peru or Mexico—where the food is more expressive with dashes of chili and the Afro-cultures. That seems like a plausible hypothesis. In translation, this means that the food is less salty and plainer than what you’d expect from an exciting Peruvian chicken stew dish!


Interestingly, there are different layers of what can be considered Chilean food. There’s the street food in which hot dogs are slathered in guacamole, the international hybrid food developed in hotel restaurants, the everyday home cooked meals, and the indigenous foods away from the city. These are at once all Chilean. In short, if you’re looking for a distinct Chilean dish, you’ll have to look beyond set courses and indulge yourself in the non-identity of a Chilean dish.

Check out the café with legs! A Hooter's and Starbucks crossover!

Neighborhoods & Culture Spots:
We hit up most of the museums and parks including the neoclassical Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museum of Precolombian Civilization and the National History Museum (next to the beautiful post office in Plaza De Armas.


The Presidential Palace (Palacio De La Moneda) is pretty and was once a mint and you can walk through the courtyard. It’s opened from 10-6 p.m. on the weekends so bring your passport.


We also walked through the Barrio Brasil filled with younger people, but avoid Barrio Bellavista a major and expensive tourist trap.


Take a ride up the Funicular and the Cable Cars to catch stunning views of the Virgin Mary looking down on the city of Santiago and the Andes. You can actually hear the roar of the city of a couple million! Another fun sight is a hill with beautiful views somewhere in the city (can’t remember the name). Skip the fish market Mercado Central, but check out the National Library (no books to be found)!