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City Guide > South America > Chile > Santiago | |
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Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview Santiago is not famed for its architectural heritage, unlike other Latin American cities such as Mexico City or Buenos Aires. Those visiting Chile for leisure are unlikely to make it a highlight of their trip and most take only a fleeting glimpse before heading off in search of natural wonders. Nevertheless, Santiago has much to offer travellers eager for cultural diversion and serene oases can be found in even the most fume-choked streets of the downtown area. Affluent Chileans, and indeed many ex-pats, are eager to portray the centre of town as a lawless ghetto and warn against spending time there. Despite a rise in non-violent petty crime, however, the horror stories are largely exaggerated. Visitors prepared to venture beyond their hotel lobby will find a city of lively markets, atmospheric old quarters and shady parks with thriving artistic, social and cultural scenes. The city’s museums, albeit small, boast impressive collections, while quality cuisine is accessible to those on even the tightest of budgets. Santiago is easy to master, as many of the city’s main attractions are located in the small downtown area sandwiched between the Rio Mapocho (Mapocho River), Avenida Bernado O’Higgins (Alameda) and Cerro Santa Lucia. Bellavista, just north of the river, is a popular area for its handicraft shops, cultural attractions and nightlife options, situated below Cerro San Cristobal, which looms over the city. Tourist Information Servicio Nacional de Turismo – SERNATUR (National Tourism Board) Avenida Providencia 1550 Tel: (2) 731 8336 or 731 8419 or 600 SERNATUR (600 737 62887), toll free in Chile only. Fax: (2) 236 1417. E-mail: info@sernatur.cl Website: www.sernatur.cl Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1830, Sat 0900-1400. SERNATUR has another office in the arrivals hall of the airport’s international terminal, as well as a kiosk on Paseo Ahumada. Oficina de Turismo Municipalidad de Santiago (Santiago Tourist Office) Casa Colorada, Merced 860 Tel: (2) 632 7783/5. E-mail: cerrosantalucia@munistgo.cl Website: www.ciudad.cl Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 1000-1800, Fri 1000-1700. There is another city tourist office on the Terraza Neptuno on Cerro Santa Lucia. Passes There are no tourist passes currently available in Santiago. |