After a grueling sixteen hour flight from Amsterdam, with a layover in Paris, I finally touched down in Santiago, Chile. It was March 2022, and the country was still under strict Covid restrictions, at least compared to the more laid-back policies in Holland, where I was living. That meant a lot of paperwork and a three hour wait in line at border control, during which I sweat from both the heat and the anxiety of whether I had completed all the necessary documents correctly. As it turned out, I did make a mistake, but the friendly border control unit was understanding and helped me fix it. Phew! Finally, I had to get my nose poked and tested for Covid before I was allowed to continue with my long-awaited trip.

Getting around Santiago

I got myself some local currency , but you don’t need to overdo it.

I brought along €1000 and exchanged it for Chilean Pesos (CLP) at the airport. I thought I might need cash, but it turned out that I barely used it at all. Chile is really advanced when it comes to paying with cards – I had no problems using my credit and debit cards at most places I went, like restaurants and supermarkets.

There were a few times where I needed cash, though. Street food vendors and small local stores usually only accept cash, so it was good that I had some CLP on me. But overall, I found it easy to pay with a card in Santiago

I took the bus from the airport to the city

When visiting a new country, I always try to use public transportation to get a feel for the place. So, when I arrived in Santiago, I took the bus from the airport to the city center. The ride was smooth and only cost me about €2.50, but I did make the mistake of missing my stop and having to take an additional metro ride. It was during this second leg of my journey that I was introduced to the Bip! card, the official payment method for the city’s Red Metropolitana de Movilidad public transport system.

Get a Bip! card if you plan to use the public transportation

If you’re planning to use the buses, subway, or metro in Santiago, I highly recommend getting a Bip! card. Not only are they convenient and easy to use, but they also offer discounted fares for frequent travelers. The cards themselves cost $1,500 CLP and must be loaded with an initial credit of at least $1,000 CLP. You can purchase and load your Bip! card at any metro station, and the friendly staff at the information desk will be happy to assist you. Just be sure to keep track of your balance and refill your card as needed, as you’ll need at least a minimum balance to use the system.

Metro was fun, take it!

I took the metro to La Moneda Palace, which was conveniently located near my hotel. The metro looked a bit old and smelled of rust, but it was a fun experience. It gave me the chance to witness the lively local culture firsthand. There were often people performing, singing and dancing, which was lovely to witness. I’m an introvert, so I didn’t join in, but I enjoyed watching from the sidelines.

Uber is a safe and economical travel option

If you’re planning a trip to Chile, you’ll be happy to know that Uber is available in some of the major cities like Santiago, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar. I had the opportunity to use the service a few times during my visit and was pleasantly surprised by how professional and friendly the drivers were. They even tolerated my endless stream of curious questions with grace and good humor. So if you’re in need of a reliable and affordable ride, give Uber a try – just be prepared for a fun conversation with your driver!

The surroundings

My first day in Santiago, I reached the hotel located near the trendy Lastarria neighbourhood, which ended up being my favourite among all. I stayed at the Novapark Hotel for 2 weeks, at around €60 per night, including breakfast, the hotel was a good value and had good reviews, which was important to me as a solo traveler in a new continent.

During my first few days in the city, I stayed at the Novapark Hotel, located in the trendy Lastarria neighbourhood. At around €60 per night, including breakfast, the hotel was a good value and had good reviews, which was important to me as a solo traveler in a new continent.

As I walked around Santiago, I noticed that the city itself didn’t seem to have a trash problem, but there was a strong smell of pee and rust in the air, which was made worse by the heat. The constant honking of cars and motorbikes was also quite overwhelming. To be honest, after the first two days, I wasn’t too thrilled about staying in Santiago for longer and almost changed my flight to return earlier than planned.

However, I didn’t fly 16 hours, enduring my fear of flying, just to land in a new environment, excited to visit, and give up that easily. So, I decided to give the city a chance and visited the Lastarria neighbourhood, which I had heard great things about and was only a 15 minute walk from my hotel.

Favourite neighbourhoods

Lastarria

Lastarria was my absolute favorite neighborhood in Santiago, full of great bars and restaurants and a vibrant, artsy atmosphere. I visited Lastarria every day of my stay and found my favorite spot there, where I ate at least 6 times. The food in Santiago deserves its own post, and if you want suggestions, check out this one. In addition to the dining options, Lastarria is also known for its cultural offerings, with numerous art galleries, theaters, and museums located in the neighborhood.

Bellavista

Located between the north bank of the Mapocho River and the San Cristobal Hill, Bellavista was my second favorite neighborhood. There were some great restaurants in the area, as well as multiple art galleries. I managed to visit one of the galleries during my stay in Santiago. If you’re into artisanal jewelry, I would recommend this area. The sellers here are known for specializing in jewelry made from lapis lazuli, a beautiful gemstone that is found in northern Chile. In addition to the shopping options, Bellavista is also known for its nightlife, with numerous bars and clubs located in the neighborhood.

Barrio Italia

I found Barrio Italia to be a bit more intimate and hidden, but still in plain sight. As the name suggests, the neighborhood was established by Italian immigrants in the 19th century and you can definitely see the influence in the building style. What I liked about Barrio Italia was its relaxed, chilled vibe and the amazing wine varieties I found at the bars there. The neighborhood is also home to a number of Italian restaurants, offering authentic cuisine and a taste of Italy in the heart of Santiago.

Plaza de Armas

I visited Plaza de Armas almost daily. There are many malls and shops in this area, as well as plenty of entertainment. I saw bands performing, actors bringing plays into the square, and even a drag show open to the public. It was a good realization moment for me of how open and accepting Santiago is, with drag queens performing without any issue from the public. In addition to the performances, Plaza de Armas is also home to a number of historical landmarks, including the National History Museum and the Central Post Office. There’s no specific place you need to go, I would just recommend walking the streets and you’ll be entertained

Now, I know that many people recommend visiting Providencia when in Santiago, and it’s definitely worth checking out. However, for me personally, I just didn’t click with the place. It might be because I’m someone who tends to stick with what I know and like, and Lastarria just felt like a better fit for me.

That being said, everyone’s experiences and preferences are different, and it’s important to remember that when it comes to travel. Providencia may not have been my cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be someone else’s. It’s all a matter of personal taste, and there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to what makes a great neighbourhood.

What else to share

I did not visit a single museum while being in Chile! I have read about it’s history, the conflicts with the neighbouring countries, the current geo-political situation and so on, but after visiting so many countries and going to so many museums, at some point it has become repetitive. I decided to go there to disconnect, enjoy the people, the food, weather and amazing nature.

Be careful of thieves in a motorbike

Every single local I met kept telling me I should be very careful of thieves, because apparently there were some. They suggested to especially keep an eye on the ones in a motorbike, because it happened for someone to pass by you grab your phone while you’re calling, or pull your bag and so on. I did not experience any of that, I felt safe during the day, and during the night as well, but I was mostly walking through the main areas. I had a very good experience with people, very friendly and helpful.

Do visit the San Cristóbal Hill

I was almost about to skip it, because yeah, I am not religious in any way, and it seemed to me that the the whole climb the hill was a religious ritual. I decided to google a bit more, and saw the whole area was actually much more than that, there was a very beautiful park, big enough that there were even cable cars available. I went there two days before my departure from Chile, and I decided to climb the hill. I am not sure how long it took, but I guess somewhere between 1-1.50 hours. I decided to get a mote along the way, which I learned to enjoy so much. I loved the way up to the hill with the park, much better than the view from the top. Let me be honest, Santiago has so much to offer, I loved the vibe of the city, but looking at it from the top, it reminded me a lot of Tirana, Albania (where I come from). It looked messy, and polluted.

Accommodation

Santiago has a wide range of accommodation options to suit various budgets. I stayed at the Novapark Hotel for 2 weeks and was happy with it. The room cost about €60 per night, including breakfast. If you’re looking for something more affordable, there are plenty of hostels and guesthouses to choose from. On the other hand, if you want to splurge on a luxurious hotel, there are plenty of those options as well. It’s just a matter of finding the right fit for you.