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| The Chile Information Project |
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CHIP - Chile Information Project: ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM Enough of business, you want to have a good time! In this section, you will find the best places for a night on the town or a day on the road, as well as museums and cultural centers. Nightlife: Overview Three districts in Santiago are popular for spending a night on the town: Barrio Bellavista, Calle Suecia and Plaza Ñuñoa. Barrio Bellavista is considered Santiago’s "Latin Quarter" for its vibrant cultural atmosphere. At night, Bellavista is also Santiago's liveliest neighborhood. The bars are generally inexpensive, with the beer often costing less than water. The district boasts dance clubs of many genres, including salsa and techno. Restaurants range from cheap pizza to fine French cuisine. The bars are also a great place to watch a soccer game. Bellavista's main street, Pio Nono, is an attraction in itself. Street vendors have colorful booths along the sidewalks. They offer anything from paintings and souvenirs to kebobs and bamboo saxophones. You are most certain to see a number of creative and hilarious street performances. Pio Nono is very crowded on weekends, so beware of pickpockets. To get to Bellavista, take the metro to the Baquedano Station or take a bus to Plaza Italia. Follow Pio Nono north across the Mapocho River. After a few blocks, you will know when you are in Bellavista. Providencia's Calle Suecia is a popular spot for foreigners, so it’s an easy place to make a friend who speaks your language. Many of the bars, like Irish and Boston style pubs, are specifically designed to attract foreign customers. The bars and nightclubs are often more upscale than Bellavista and are not as crowded. Suecia offers many nightclubs and is considered one of the best places for a night of salsa dancing. Take the Metro to the Los Leones station and walk the direction of Las Condes until you reach Avenida Suecia. Take a left towards the Mapocho River. Though there are fewer bars and nightclubs to spend the night out, Plaza Ñuñoa is a great place to get away from the city crowds. Ñuñoa’s bars are best for relaxing and having a drink. Ñuñoa tends to offer more of an artistic atmosphere than Bellavista and Suecia. You are likely to meet musicians and thespians at any bar in the neighborhood. Ñuñoa’s greatest attraction is its live music scene (see live music section). There is no Metro service to Plaza Ñuñoa, but you can take the metro to the Irarrazaval station and take an eastbound bus down Irarrazaval to the plaza. From downtown, it is more direct to take any bus that has Plaza Ñuñoa on its route. The following is a list of Santiago's bars and nightclubs. Addresses
Live Music: Overview Santiago's music scene is diverse and exciting. You can find traditional Chilean and Andean music (música foclórica), rock, many forms of modern latin music, jazz and even great classical music concerts. Plaza Ñuñoa is an excellent place to experience Santiago's contemporary music scene. If it were not for the neon sign Club de Jazz would look like any house in Ñuñoa. On the inside, Santiago's best jazz musicians play nearly every night. Thursday is blues night. Nearby La Batuta offers the best of Santiago's modern rock music scene. Symphony orchestras will advertise concerts ahead of time. They usually play in large theaters. Ticketmaster sells tickets for large stadium concerts at Feria del Disco music stores. Check local newspapers in the Cultura y Expectaculos section for concerts. Addresses
Gay and Lesbian Bars and Nightclubs Overview Tolerance of Santiago’s gay scene has improved ten-fold in just last five years. In 1996, the Investigations Police staged a mass raid of gay bars and nightclubs. Since authorities pledged under pressure from gay rights advocates to never repeat the event, gay venues have developed into a lively gay scene. Most gay bars and nightclubs can be found in Barrio Bellavista. Addresses
For Kids: Overview Santiago is home of a large amusement park called Fantasilandia. While it does not offer impressive state-of-the rides, it is still worth a day trip with the kids. Mom and Dad are sure to have a good time, too. The Fantasilandia is in Parque O'Higgins, which is accessible by Metro. Because children's movies are dubbed instead of sub-titled, it is difficult to find movies in English for your kids. The American Association has an excellent movie library that includes many children's titles. You have to be a member to rent movies from the library, but membership is not restricted to Americans. The American Association also has a large children's book library. Addresses
The Arts: Overview Santiago has a vigorous arts scene. Keep an eye open when you are walking around Santiago. Posters in the streets and in Metro stations will always offer you something new to see. In the newspapers, the film, theatre and art exhibitions are features in the Cultura y Espectaculos section. The best newspapers for the arts scenes are La Tercera and El Mercurio. Theatre Overview Chile's theatre scene has something for everyone. There are dozens of showings each week. There are small and large theatre companies that offer drama, comedy, Shakespeare and children's theatre (teatro infantil). Addresses
Film Overview Major foreign films arrive in Chile soon after they appear in North America and Europe, but do not miss out on Chilean cinema. The country produces a handful of well-made films every year. Cinemark and Hoyts theatres have many theatres and offer the latest major films. For art house and repertoire films, Santiago has many Cines Arte. Addresses
Ballet and Opera Overview Chile's Teatro Municipal is one of the Santiago's historical landmarks. You can take tours of this majestic opera house during the day or see one of its frequent ballets, operas, and classical music concerts. Addresses
Museums and Galleries: Overview Some of Santiago's best museums are within a short walk from Plaza de Armas in the downtown area. The Museo de Arte Precolombino (Museum of Pre-Columbian Art) features a collection of ancient indigenous artifacts, some of which date as far back as 4,000 years. Directly on the plaza is the Museo Histórico Nacional (National Historical Museum), which offers a chronology of Chile's history from Pre-Columbian times to 1973. A few blocks away in Parque Forestal, the Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) offers temporary exhibits and a collection of Chile's best art. Addresses
Sporting Events: Overview Soccer (fútbol) holds a significant dominance in Chile'a sporting scene, though tennis is also popular. Chilean soccer games are full of cultural flavor, with singing, colored smoke and occasional fireworks. You should watch the game, too. There are a number of Division One professional soccer teams based in Santiago. Universidad de Chile, Colo Colo and Universidad Católica are the three most popular teams. In recent years, Universidad de Chile and Colo Colo have almost always squared off in the national championship in the Estadio Nacional (National Stadium), though there have been occasional appearances by other teams. Purchase tickets from one of the local teams. Ticketmaster at Feria del Disco carries tickets for important games. Addresses
Pizza Delivery: Overview You are hungry. You do not want to cook. You do not want to leave your home. There are three main pizza companies that will deliver for free. They all have outlets throughout Santiago and promise a rapid delivery. Addresses
Historical Sites: Overview There are a few places hidden among Santiago's modern cityscape that have conserved the richness of the city's past. The following are just a few of Santiago's historic sights. Addresses
Interesting Neighborhoods: Overview Santiago is full of neighborhoods that make for an excellent place for a liesurely stroll around the block. The Mercado Central (Central Market) is located near the Estación Mapocho in the Northern end of downtown Santiago. This fish and vegetable market is an environment filled with exuberance and Chilean culture. There are restaurants on the market's main floor or upstairs overlooking the market (jokingly called "view of the ocean"). These restaurants offer Santiago's freshest seafoods, but beware of eating there during the summer. To get to the Mercado Central take the Metro to the Cal y Canto Station. Walk east along Parque Forestal until you reach the market on the corner of Puente and Valdés Vergara. Barrio Londrés París is a neighborhood hidden behind the church of San Francisco. It was built between 1923 -1926 to emulate an Austrian neighborhood of that era. Winding cobblestone streets are lined with gas lamps and what were once Santiago's most elegant homes. Up until 10 years ago, Barrio Londrés París had been in decline for decades and was considered dangerous for tourists. After it was declared a national monument, a combination of public and private investments restored the historical character of Barrio Londres Police and make it safe to enjoy its splendor. To get there, take the Metro to the Universidad de Chile station and take the south exit. At the church of San Francisco, take Londres south. Plazas and Parks: Overview Just like every city of a former Spanish colony, the heart of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas. Santiago's 400 years of history seems to hover around the plaza, with modern buildings contrasting cities oldest structures. Santiago's Catedral (Cathedral) stands on the western end of the plaza. The Central Post Office and the National History Museum are on the northern border. The plaza is almost always alive with activity and filled with musicians, artisans and street performers until late at night. There are occasional cultural events and concerts. It is also a great place for a challenging game of chess. In December of 1999, the city's Metro openned a station at Plaza de Armas. Cerro Santa Lucía is a hill and park in downtown Santiago. This is the place where Pedro Valdivia founded the city in 1541. Over the course of time, Cerro Santa Lucía has been built into an elaborate garden. At the top of the hill, the ruins of a Spanish fort offer a spectacular view of Santiago. To get there, take the Metro to the Santa Lucía Station. The Virgin Mary watches Santiago from the top of Cerro San Cristobal, Santiago's most conspicuous natural landmark. It is possible to spend an entire day atop San Cristobal. The park has a zoo, a wine museum, a cultural center, swimming pools, botanical gardens and an aerial tramway with spectacular views of the city. It is a popular place for jogging and biking. Baquedano is the nearest Metro station. From there, follow Pio Nono northward. At the end of Pio Nono, an elevator takes you most of the way up the hill. Near Santiago Overview The Cajon del Maipo is a valley in the Andes foothills near Santiago. The Cajón is an excellent place for a daylong escape Santiago's smog. In the Cajón del Maipo, you can participate in any number of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding and rafting. By car, travel southeast to Las Vizcachas and then follow the road signs to San José de Maipo. There are buses that leave Parque O'Higgins and go as far as the city of San José del Maipo. Isla Negra is a beach town that is the former home of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. You can visit Neruda's home, now a museum in his honor. Isla Negra is a two-hour drive from Santiago. You can also take a bus from Terminal Santiago. Pomaire is a nearby example of a traditional Chilean town. Some tourists make the trip to Pomaire solely for the town's beautiful hand-painted pottery. The town lies 80 kilometers southwest of Santiago. Take route 78 or arrange a tour in Santiago. Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are the largest cities near Santiago. Valparaiso is Chile's principal port. The city is admired by tourists and poets alike for its winding streets, old unique neighborhoods and chaotic city planning. Viña del Mar, Chile's main seaside resort city, is adjacent to Valparaiso. The city boasts beautiful beaches, an upscale casino and an elegant promenade. Take Route 68 west to get to both cities. It takes 90 minutes to get there. Buses leave Santiago's Southern Bus Terminal for Viña del Mar and Valparaiso regularly. Vineyards: Overview Chile's international reputation for fine wines continues to grow. Many of the best wines in Chile are produced near Santiago. Vineyards are open to the public on some days, but it is best to call in advance. Check with local travel agencies for wine tours. Addresses
Tourist Information: Overview The National Tourism Service (Sernatur) is the best source for tourist information throughout Chile. Sernatur has a quiosk in most tourist destinations in Chile. There is a tourist information kiosk at the corner of Huerfanos and Ahumada in downtown Santiago. Addresses
Travel Agencies: Overview These travel agencies will help you get around Chile. Travel agencies are most useful if you want a fully arranged tour. In Chile, travel agencies are not necessarily the best way to purchase airline tickets. It is often best to buy airline tickets directly from the airlines (see airlines sections). Addresses
Outdoors: Overview The Andes Mountains offer some of the best terrain in the world for many outdoor activities. Companies throughout Santiago arrange rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding and hiking trips with state-of-the-art equipment. There are services for every skill level. Addresses
Skiing Overview Skiing in Chile has one key advantage: when everyone in the Northern Hemisphere has their skis in the closet, you are on the slopes. The Chilean ski season begins in June and ends in September, depending upon the amount of snow in the Andes. There are a number of nearby ski resorts. Some resorts are smaller and have only beginning level slopes, while others are well equipped and offer slopes for all skill levels, classes and good equipment. It is generally less expensive to rent your equipment in Santiago and bring it with you to the slopes. This could be a hassle, however, if you are traveling by bus. Ski Equipment Addresses
Travel Books: Overview Having the right travel guide will help you make sure you do not miss the best of Chile's travel destinations. Here are some recommended travel books and the bookstores where you can find them. Addresses
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