Destination
Santiago, Chile
Santiago sits in a bowl of snow-capped Andes with wine valleys, ski resorts and the painted hills of Valparaíso all within a two-hour drive.
Trips to Santiago from every city
No live trip to Santiago right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | fine |
| February | fine |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | best |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | fine |
| September | best |
| October | best |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- June, July, August, September: Ski season at Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado, about 90 minutes from the city.
- March, April: Grape harvest and vendimia festivals in the Maipo and Casablanca valleys.
- January, February: Hot, dry summer; many locals leave for the coast and the city is quiet.
Where to stay in Santiago
- Lastarria and Bellas Artes: Walkable cultural quarter of cafes, museums and the Cerro Santa Lucía park.
- Providencia: Central, well-connected and full of mid-range hotels and restaurants.
- Las Condes and El Golf: Modern business district with the big international hotels and the Sky Costanera tower nearby.
- Barrio Italia: Antique shops, design stores and brunch spots in converted houses.
- Bellavista: Nightlife district at the foot of Cerro San Cristóbal, home to Neruda's La Chascona.
What to do in Santiago
- Funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal for the Andes skyline
- Day trip to Valparaíso's painted hillsides and funiculars
- Wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley or at Concha y Toro
- Ski Valle Nevado in winter
- Seafood lunch at Mercado Central
- Sky Costanera observation deck at sunset
Good to know
| Airports | Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International (SCL) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | mid-range |
| Time zone | America/Santiago |
| Kind of trip | city, wine, ski, food, culture |
Questions about Santiago
When is the best time to visit Santiago?
March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Do US citizens need a passport for Santiago?
Yes. Santiago is in Chile; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Santiago on the ground?
Santiago is mid-range by US standards: plan about $90 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.