Santiago de Chile, Capital City of Chile

Santiago de Chile has developed into a modern-day capital city, offering the visitor many entertainment options and some interesting historical sites. It can be divided into three principal areas for the visitor: Downtown, offering a chance to see historical buildings and museums; Providencia, a redeveloped up-market suburb that is full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs and Las Condes with modern office buildings, plush apartments and fancy restaurants and bars.

There is a modern, clean and safe metro system that runs three lines. The principal line, Line 1, runs through the middle of the the Downtown area and all the way east passing through Providencia and terminating in Las Condes. For the visitor, the metro Line 1 should be all you need in order to get around. Alternatively, taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive.

Location & Climate
Surrounded by the Andes mountains to the east and the coastal mountains to the west, Santiago sits in a bowl at an altitude of 543mts in the downtown area rising up to 800mts in the eastern up-market suburbs. One of the positive aspects to Santiago is the favourable Mediterranean climate (average summer day time temperature is 30ºC), with long, hot summers running November to March. Rain, when it comes, is usually in June, July and August, meaning snow in the mountains and therefore skiing. Today, Santiago is the fifth largest city in South America, home to over 5 million people and the central base for 50% of the county's manufacturing industry.

Be Sensible
Santiago is a relatively safe city, however, if you are a foreigner and are off your guard you could be a target for a thief. Be sensible and do not walk around with a big camera around your neck, a bulging wallet that can be seen and watch where you put your coat and bag in open-air restaurants.

Suburbs and Hot Spots
The main commercial action (international offices, restaurants, modern apartments) in Santiago is spread in a linear development that runs west to east, from the Downtown area towards the Andes mountains to the Las Condes suburb. The metro system is clean and efficient comprising three lines. The only line that most visitors ever need is line 1, the principal line running from Las Condes, through Providencia and Downtown.

Within the linear development everywhere is easy to get to and not far away by taxi or metro.

Principal Places of Interest in Santiago

Downtown
Government offices, central train station, principal bus stations, museums and company back offices. Principal Metro Stops: Universidad de Chile, Santa Lucia, Universidad Catolica and Baquedano.

Museo de Arte Precolombino
Bandera 361 corner with Compania, Downtown. Tel: 688 7348 Metro Line 5: Plaza de Armas.
Closed Monday. Tue to Fri 10:00hrs to 18:00hrs. Sat, Sun and Holidays
10:00hrs to 14:00hrs.
A well arranged museum that chronicals over 4,000 years of pre-Columbian civilization.

Museo Colonial de San Francisco
Alameda 834, Downtown.
Metro Line 1: Universidad de Chile, southern exit.
Located along the side of the San Francisco church (dating back to 1618 having survived all the earthquakes, entrance is by the church). Colonial building displaying numerous artefacts and an attractive central garden.

Museo de Bellas Artes
Parque Forestal, Downtown.
Metro Line 1: Santa Lucia, northern exit.
Santiago's fine arts museum, displaying permanent collections of French, Italian, Dutch and Chilean paintings and often hosting very interesting visiting exhibits.

Museo Arqueológico de Santiago
Lastarria 321, Downtown.
Metro Line 1: Universidad Catolica.
Set amid an historical small neighborhood, with interesting cafes and art galleries, this museum offers a number of exhibits from the indigeneous
peoples of Chile.

Palacio de la Moneda (Presidential Palace)
Located between streets Morande and Teatinos in the centre of Downown. Metro Line 1: La Moneda.
The largest colonial building constructed by the Spanish during the 18th century. Originally the Royal Mint and now the seat of the President of Chile. Bombed in 1973 by the Chilean Airforce during a military coup led by General Agusto Pinochet. Recently renovated, the Palace interior courtyards are open to the public during the day.

Cerro Santa Lucia (Original City Fort)
Metro Line 1: Santa Lucia.
Originally named Huelen by the natives and renamed Santa Lucia by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia on 13 December 1540 when he founded the first settlement at the foot of the hill, later to be named Santiago in 1541. It was Marco du Pont who, during the retaking of Santiago between 1814 to 1817 after an uprising by the natives, converted the hill into a serious defence fort. In 1872 an effort began to transform the fort into an important public place of interest by enlisting 150 jailed prisioners who worked to exhustion to complete the first part in 1872. The porch and staircase were completed in 1903. This is a great place to visit if you want an impressive view of the immediate downtown area and to enjoy relative quiet within the park that surrounds the fort.

Teatro Municipal
Agustinas corner with San Antonio, Downtown.
Metro Line 1: Santa Lucia.
Opera and Ballet March to December. Tel: 633 2549.

Bario Paris-Londres (Historic Area)
Metro Line 1: Universidad de Chile, southern exit.
A small, historic area located behind, but close to the San Francisco church. Narrow streets and interesting architecture.

Mercado Central (Food Market & Restaurants)
I. Valdés Vergara 900, Downtown.
Metro Line 2: Cal y Canto
The building was construted between 1868 and 1872 with sections pre-fabricated in England, designed by Fermin Vivaceta for the purpose of exhibiting works of art but it quickly became used as a market. Today the market is still active and it is an interesting place to eat. A number of restaurants that specialize in fish dishes surround the principal hall where one can eat and admire the fish, meat and vegetables on display amid the flurry of market activity.

Palacio Cousiño (Colonial Home)
Dieciocho 438, Downtown.
Taxi needed or a good walk from Metro Line 1: Los Heroes.
An elaborate 19th-century mansion dating back to 1871. Built by the Cousiño family from wealth accumulated from coal and silver mining. Well preserved images from an elite life. Open: Tues - Sun: 09:30hrs - 12:30hrs. 14:30hrs -16:00hrs. Tel: 698 5063

Providencia

Modern offices, shops, restaurants and bars. Principal Metro Stops: Los Leones, Pedro de Valdivia and Tobalaba.

Night Life

Barrio Bellavista
Located on the other side of the Mapocho river a short walk from Baquedano metro station and at the foot of the San Cristobal hill. Known primarily as the Bohemian district, Bellavista (Beautiful View) comes to life at night and offers the visitor numerous restaurants and bars to dine and drink at.

Suecia and General Holley
Located in the heart of Providencia. Nearest Metro Los Leones. An area of bars with live music and some restaurants.

Day Time

Museo Neruda La Chascona
One of the houses where Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda once lived. Located in a short street just off the main Pio Nono road. Tel: 737 8712 for tours. Nearest Metro: Baquedano

Cerro San Cristobal
The hill on top of which is a staue of the Virgin Mary. Access is from metro stop Baquedano, on foot to the end of the street Pio-Nono which runs through Barrio Bellavista and then up to the funicular railway (Mon 13:00hrs to 20:30hrs; Tue to Sun 10:30hrs to 20:00hrs) or to the northern end of the street Pedro de Valdivia and onto the teleféric cable car (Mon to Fri 14:30hrs to 20:00hrs;Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 10:30hrs to 20:00hrs).

The highest point is at 880mts. The Virgin Mary statue, seen from almost every point in the city was sculptured by Frenchman Jaconetti out of metal and given to Chile by France in 1908. The entire hill or cerro comprises the Parque Metropolitana, covering 712 hectares which makes it one of the largest parks in the world. Getting to the top will enable the visitor to enjoy a panoramic view over Santiago and incredible unspoilt views of the Andes on one side and the Precordillera Mountains on the other. There are restaurants and cafes at the top as well as two swimming pools. Cyclists and hikers as well as those who like the funicular railway or teleféric cable car enjoy the park to its full. One suggestion is to go up on the funicular railway and down on the teleféric cable car.

Shopping and Restaurants
Metro: Pedro de Valdivia and Los Leones
Specifically around the streets Suecia and General Holley (north exit Los Leones metro) are numerous bars and restaurants. Los Leones, south exit will lead you into a principal department store and close by are other shops and a mall.

Las Condes

Very upmarket, new offices, shopping malls, good restaurants and bars. Principal Metro Stops: El Golf, Alcantara and Escuela Militar (end of the line).

Night Life

Barrio El Golf
Metro: Tobalaba or El Golf north exits
Now a very up-market business and commercial zone, host to numerous good restaurants and bars along the El Bosque Norte and Isidora Goyenechea streets.

Day Time

Shopping
Two modern shopping malls dominate Las Condes and these are Parque Arauco and Alto las Condes. Both are spacious, clean and new, offering the visitor plenty of choice and well known brand products. Both are located along Avda.
Kennedy and are know by all taxi drivers.

Artesanal Shopping
There are three good places to buy typical Chilean handy craft products and these are Los Dominicos, Vitacura and Apumanque. Los Dominicos is located behind a church of the same name and offers the visitor a chance to wander around a colonial setting whilst looking at what to buy. Vitacura, loated along the street called Vitacura and Apumanque, located behind the shopping mall called Apumanque offer great products from a number of stores.

Avda. Vitacura

Night Life
Within the Vitacura suburb the Avenida Vitacura runs near to the Mapocho river and is home to many new restaurants. Another good spot is Borde Rio, located on Monsenor Escriva de Balaguer 6,400, beside the Mapocho river. Great place for evening drinks and meals during the summer.

Transport
City public transport is in abundance. Buses are driven by maniac drivers but are cheap and will get you to most places. Taxis vary between the good level with good driver to less-than-reliable with questionable drivers. In Santiago, the metro is excellent, clean, reliable and cheap.

Inter-city public transport is usually very good. For long journeys the
buses offer executive class comfort and on-board services.

Santiago Prinicipal Intercity Bus Stations are:
For North & South:Terminal de Buses Santiago, Metro Universidad de Santiago (Southern Exit).
For Viña del Mar/Valpariso: Terminal de Buses Alameda, Metro Universidad de Santiago (Southern Exit).
For North & South:Terminal de Buses San Borja, Metro Estacion Central (Southern Exit).

Communications & Roads

Modern telephone communications are excellent throughout the country. The road network is simple with one principal highway running north to south (known as the Panamericana or Ruta 5) and these days most other paved roads are in good condition. There are numerous road connections that are still dirt tracks and visitors wishing to explore would be advised to rent an off-road vehicle to do so.

People of Note

Political
Pedro de Valdivia
Original Spanish conquistador, arrived in 1540 and founded Santiago in 1541.

Arturo Pratt
Chilean naval hero who led the winning battle against Peru near Iquique.

Bernardo O'Higgins
The iligitament son of a Peruvian Viceroy, Chile's first elected leader following independence from Spain in 1818.

Salvador Allende
The first ever openly elected communist leader who ruled Chile as president from 1970 to 1973 when he was ousted from power by a bloody coup.

Agusto Pinochet
Appointed head of the Chilean army just days before leading the armed forces in a coup against the then sitting president Salvador Allende. General Pinochet ruled Chile for an unbroken 17 year period 1973 to 1990, when he handed over power to democratically elected Patricio Aylwin. He has recently been arrested in Chile to face trial for the disappearance and murder of individuals during his regime.

Cultural
Gabriela Mistral Poet and Nobel Prize winner.

Pablo Neruda Poet and Nobel Prize winner.

Principal National Holiday Dates

1 Jan
Easter (felxible date)
1 May
21 May
25 June (flexible date)
2 July (flexible date)
15 August
3 September (flexible date)
18 September
19 September
15 October (flexible date)
1 November
8 December
25 December

Chilean Food

Typical Chilean Dishes and Foods
The Empanada: A pastry filled with either mince meat, onion and an olive or cheese or shell fish. Parrillada: Various meats cooked on a charcoaled grill. Pastel del Choclo: Sweetcorn with mince meat, an egg, onion, an olive and a cream of corn topping.
Casuela: A stew of chicken or meat with potato, pumpkin and vegetables.
Humitas: Sweet corn with spices wrapped in corn leaves and steam cooked.

Fruit Native to Chile
Lucuma
Chirimoya (Custard Apple)
Tuna (Prickly Pear)
Kiwi
Papayas
Melon Calameno
Camote

Fish: Pescados
Albacora: Similar to Swordfish.
Atun: Tuna
Bacalao: Cod
Calamar: Squid
Congrio: Eel-like fish but not eel.
Corvina: Similar to Bass
Jurel: Mackerel
Lenguado: Sole
Reineta: Very Nice White Fish!
Salmon: Salmon

Shell Fish: Mariscos
Almejas: Clams
Camarones:Prawns
Centolla: King Crab
Choros: Mussels
Erizos: Sea Urchin
Gambas: Shrimps
Jaiva: Crab
Langosta: Lobster
Locos: Abalone
Machas: Razor Clam
Ostiones:Scallops
Ostras: Oysters
Picorocos:

Beef: Carne
Filete: Fillet
Lomo Liso: T-Bone
Posta Rosada: Sirloin

Pork: Cerdo
Jamón: Ham
Lomo: Loin
Tocino: Bacon
Chuleta: Chop
Pernil: Leg
Costilla: Ribs

Lamb: Cordero
Pierna: Leg
Lomo: Loin
Costilla: Rack of Lamb

Aves: Poultry
Pollo: Chicken
Ganso: Goose
Pato: Duck
Pavo: Turkey

Verduras: Vegetables
Palta: Avocado
Pepino: Cucumber
Cebolla: Onion
Arroz: Rice
Ensalada: Salad
Tomate: Tomato
Lechuga: Lettuce

Postre: Desert
Flan: Blancmange
Manjar: Sweet Caramel Spread

Typical Spirit Drinks

Pisco Sour: Pisco, a grape brandy, with lemon juice, sugar and the white of an egg.
Piscola: Pisco with coca cola.