Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Cousin cities and both worth knowing.
Just 1.5 - 2 hours away from the polluted, crowded streets of Santiago, Chile and you can be laying on the beaches of Viña del Mar, soaking in the sun from November - early March. And drinking a Pisco Sour with a view of the ocean and incredible coastline.
Just hop on a bus from Santiago for less than $10 round-trip and you'll get a nice South American tan. Avoid rush hour traffic from 5PM - 7PM or you'll be in the bus for an extra hour (or two).
Where to Stay?
Valparaiso. The streets and houses are colorful. There is art everywhere: drawings of the horizon, street art on abandoned buildings and paintings on hostel walls. It is where you want to each ceviche, congrio, sea bass, camarones, ostras, y reinata. People are friendly and a bit silly. Plus, the hostels and B&B options are less expensive than the glamorous Viña. Beware of weird Chileans that want to hug you or take your photo - with their camera and just of you. That's weird and maybe they are trying to pickpocket you.
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| Linds, ready for oysters & ceviche? |
The whole city is designed around the cerros, or the mountaintops. The locals don't know street names or cross streets. They know mountaintops. Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion are the two main tourist hilltops. There are centuries-old ascensores that take you from sea-side up the hill. It's like San Fransisco hills but steeper so the walk up can get old after a few times. Lindsey and walked those streets to walk off the Pisco Sours, beers, and fish that we just kept consuming. And we may have gotten turned around in the winding staircases that go on and on like something from a Dr. Seuss book.
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| Imagine that walk everyday |
We met some rockin' Canadians, eh, at a fun little joint and one Pisco Sour led to many more shared beers, dances and a wine tour at Indomita.
Want to get wild on the weekends? Go out to the bars and clubs on the main street, Errazuriz, and you'll find something to keep you dancing until 5AM. We went to Casa Negra one night and danced to American hip hop and reggae all night. The camera LOVED us that night - I think we were the only non-Chileans there! But, cheap beer in Chile is worse than Bud Lite. You've been warned.
We loved the location, price and ambiance of our bed & breakfast, Casa Kultour. It's a chill place with big rooms, nice bathrooms and they organize tours for local vineyards, the cultural points of Valpo and have dance lessons. If they've got rooms available, I'll stay there every time.
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| Valparaiso, Chile |
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| Patio of our hostel |
The history, culture and sun are waiting for you!
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