What to do in Santiago with 1-3 days

If trekking pristine, glacier-studded Patagonia is on your bucket list, then your State-side flights “to and from” southern Chile are likely to connect in Santiago.

Santiago is a great option for extending your South American adventure. The Chilean capital offers stunning views of the Andes to the east, world-class museums, and the lively central Plaza de Armas with stately buildings dating back to the 1500s.

In 48 to 72 hours, you can see eye-popping street art, sample wonderful restaurants, and the natural beauty of the city in the shadow of the Andes mountains.

Santiago is also the perfect jumping-off point for day trips spent white water rafting, touring Maipo Valley wineries, or basking in hot springs high up in the Andes. Here are some to consider in planning your Santiago stay:

Top sights to see 

With two days in the city and one saved for an action-oriented day trip, begin with a guided walking tour of the central Plaza de Armas with its street performers and colorful market on weekends outside the Metropolitan Cathedral (worth a look). Stroll from the plaza through the downtown to lunch at the covered Mercado Centro, a local favorite for its warren of seafood merchants and restaurants.

Reserve the afternoon for the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos — Museum of Memory and Human Rights commemorating the victims of Pinochet’s 18-year regime (1973–1990). President Michelle Bachelet inaugurated the stunning museum in 2010, saying, “We cannot change our past, we can only learn from what has been lived.” 

Divide your second day in the city with an on-your-own stroll through the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood to view street murals and sample some of the city’s best restaurants — La Signoria, open for breakfast and lunch only, and dinner favorite Sarita Colonia with must-try Pisco sours!  Easily include a stop at La Chascona (the eclectic hillside home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda) and ride the vernacular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal, offering a spectacular view of the city, hiking trails, and a Japanese garden.  

With more time, take a short taxi ride to Barrio Lastarria for people watching from sidewalk cafes, street markets for affordable jewelry and art, and galleries.

A day trip from Santiago can find you sampling Class III and IV rapids on the Maipo River, or combining a visit to one of Maipo Valley’s wineries with a long bumpy drive to the remote Baños Colina Cajon del Maipo, glorious hot spring-fed pools with a view of Andean glaciers.

If you’re interested in an organized tour, some tour operators that past travelers have used and liked are: Bicicleta Verde, Turistik or Free Walking Tours Santiago. Please note OneSeed is not affiliated with any of these tour operators.

Note: most shops and restaurants are typically closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly!

Getting around the city

It is best to stick to walking or taxis in the city, or arrange a day trip through a tour guide or chartered company with transportation included.

Some taxi drivers are notorious for over-charging foreigners so stick to the black taxi cabs with yellow roofs and be sure they are metered before agreeing to book. It should cost no more than $3,000 CLP ($6 USD) for a relatively short ride to the most popular sites in Santiago. Ask your hotel to arrange transport to and from the airport with a driver who will identify themselves (and you) by name. Uber and Cabify are also very commonly used to get around the city.

Safety considerations

As with any large city, listen and learn while remaining aware of your surroundings. Keep your passport and extra cash in your hotel room. Do not flash money around, don’t wear expensive jewelry, keep your cell phone in your pocket, and stay in well-populated areas. It’s the best way to avoid pickpockets or “snatch and grabs.”

Santiago is sprawling, messy, beautiful and complex. And, definitely worth an extended Chilean adventure.