14 Cheap Things to Do in Santiago, Chile

14 Cheap Things to Do in Santiago, Chile

After two months of non-stop travel, we decided to take a few days off in Santiago. We hadn't spent more than two nights in one place when we rushed to Patagonia before winter, so we were feeling pretty fried and in desperate need of some comfort - especially after the challenges in Bolivia. With this in mind, we decided to rent a super modern self-catering apartment in the center of Santiago for a few days.

Once we settled in, we realized how expensive Chile could get. As one of the wealthier countries on the continent, prices were much higher than in Bolivia. Luckily, there are plenty of cheap (or free!) things to do in Santiago. We spent four days exploring the modern capital, a veritable metropolis after our visit to the Atacama Desert. It was a breath of (rather polluted) fresh air that had much to offer the modern traveler - even those with a rapidly dwindling budget.

1. Cerro Santa Lucia

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Get the lay of the land and use your first morning to hike to the top of Santa Lucía Hill. The hill has a 69 m (220 ft) high promontory above the surrounding area and gives you a good idea of ​​the structure of Santiago. At the summit is a popular tourist lookout point where you can see a cross-section of Santiago's modern and colonial architecture.

2. Plaza de Armas

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The Plaza de Armas has been the colonial heart of the city since its founding in 1541. The centerpiece is a fountain celebrating the Libertador Simón Bolívar, the much-loved military and political leader who played an integral role in the establishment of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia as sovereign states, independent of Spanish rule.

3. Estacion Mapocho

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Earthquake damage and decay have taken their toll on the once-thriving train station, but in recent years it has been transformed into a cultural center that hosts art exhibitions and concerts. The impressive cast iron structure of the main hall was created in France and then assembled in Santiago.

4. Cementerio General

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All but one of Chile's presidents are buried in the public cemetery in Santiago, one being the tyrannical military dictator Augusto Pinochet. The cemetery is one of the largest in Latin America with an estimated two million graves and monuments. One notable monument is to President Allende (Latin America's first democratically elected Marxist leader) and another is dedicated to the people who "disappeared" during the subsequent Pinochet regime.

5. Mercado Central

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The cast iron roof and supporting structure houses Santiago's traditional fish market in the Mercado Central. Built in 1872, it's a great place to enjoy a seafood lunch or fish stew - apparently a great hangover cure. However, I'm not sure I want to visit a fish market with a hangover!

6. Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago

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Built between 1748 and 1800 and located in the city's historic center, the neoclassical cathedral overlooks the Plaza de Armas near the Palacio Arzobispal de Santiago, the administrative center of the archdiocese. The imposing structure is perhaps Santiago's grandest and most beautiful.

7. Forestal Park

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An urban park squeezed between the bustling and bustling streets of Río Mapocho and Merced offers a perfect (if not brief) escape from the smog of Santiago. Walk from Estación Mapocho at one end to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes at the other. Joggers and power walkers will join you most mornings.

8. National Museum of Fine Arts

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At the end of Parque Forestal is the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, built in 1910. The museum houses two locations with permanent collections of Chilean and European art, modern photography, design, sculpture and web art exhibitions. There is a small fee to enter each attraction (600 Chilean pesos or $1 USD).

9. National Museum of Natural History of Chile

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We loved the Natural History Museum, where Chile's fascinating history is explained in a series of engaging exhibits. The clear structure takes the visitor from natural and prehistory, European discovery and the colonial period to independence and modern times.

10. La Moneda Presidential Palace

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The office of the Chilean President is right next to the Plaza de la Constitución. The ornate neoclassical building was built in 1784 and occupies an entire block in downtown Santiago. Beneath the palace is the state-run Centro Cultural, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions every evening until 9 p.m.

11. Cerro San Cristobal

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The best view of the city is from San Cristóbal Hill, which towers over the city. The capital's largest park, Parque Metropolitano, is located on the hill with two swimming pools, botanical gardens and a zoo. There is a funicular that leaves from Plaza Caupolicán at the northern end of Pío Nono in Bellavista if you don't feel like hiking.

12. Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center

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Named after Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, the center is one of Santiago's newest creative spaces. Known as GAM, the center includes two large exhibition spaces and plazas, a delightful bookstore, a café and an outdoor antiques fair.

13. Central La Vega

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If it's grown in Chile, you'll find it at this delightful, if not chaotic, fruit and vegetable market. This is where locals buy fruit and vegetables and where restaurateurs get their fresh supplies. If you visit early in the morning, you'll hear the shouting vendors in full swing.

14. The Barrios of Santiago

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You have to decide for yourself which one is right for you. We loved the Lastarria and Bellas Artes neighborhoods, where Santiago's café culture can be seen on every trendy street corner. We stayed in the Andes Apartments so we were right in the middle of the action and had easy access to the attractions. Nightlife can be found in the colorful streets and cobbled squares of Bellavista. A little further away are the greener and sleepier barrios Brasil and Yungay. Amid the glittering skyscrapers you will find the barrios of Las Condes, el Golf and Vitacura. For bustling street life, head to Barrio Recoleta, where Korean restaurants fill the streets.

The essentials

What: Spent three days and four nights exploring Chile's capital, Santiago. Santiago offers fantastic day trips and outdoor excursions, as well as excellent transport links to the rest of the county. While there are more charismatic cities in South America, Santiago offers plenty to keep you busy for several days. The port city of Valparaíso is also just two hours away and makes a great day trip.

Where: We stayed at Andes Apartments (from $90 p/night), a luxury offering from Andes Hostel (from $18 p/night) in the vibrant Bella Artes neighborhood. The apartment block was safe and secure with access to numerous restaurants, cafes, shops and transport options (Bella Artes metro station is just two minutes away). There's a swimming pool on-site, breakfast is included (provided at the hostel), and there are free pasta and wine nights for guests on Wednesdays! It was a much needed piece of peace and comfort and is highly recommended. Email Rachael Ellis at info@andesapart.com for bookings and inquiries.

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When: The best time to travel to Santiago is from late September to November or from March to May. These months are the spring and fall off-seasons in Chile. The area has a moderate temperature all year round, but when we were there in early May you noticed that it was starting to get a bit cool.

How: Santiago is very well connected from the rest of Chile, but the distances can be very long. Common trips are: Valparaíso 2 hours, Puerto Montt, 12 hours, Antofagasta 19 hours, San Pedro de Atacama 23 hours, Arica 30 hours, Buenos Aires (Argentina) 22 hours and Mendoza (Argentina) 8 hours.

If you're traveling by plane, the Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez is in Pudahuel, 20 km northwest of downtown Santiago (book flights via skyscanner.net). There are several options for getting to the airport including shuttle buses, shared transfers and taxis. Further information can be found here.

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