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Santiago

A vibrant city between mountains

Santiago, Chile’s capital, sits between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The city features wide avenues lined with trees and historic buildings alongside modern skyscrapers. Local markets sell fresh produce like avocados, berries and grapes grown in nearby valleys. Street food stalls serve empanadas and humitas to residents and visitors alike. Public transport includes buses and a metro system that connects neighborhoods from the city center to outlying suburbs. Santiago balances urban life with natural scenery just minutes away by car or train.

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City in Chile

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

Many people in tourist areas and younger locals speak English, but knowing some basic Spanish will be helpful, especially in smaller shops or with older residents.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Santiago Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

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Read how our scores work

Strong in city culture and mountain views. Visit museums, explore lively neighborhoods, enjoy local food markets and take trips into the Andes.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Street food

Guided tours

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Wine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Chile – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type L Type C: Type L: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chilean Peso (CLP) £1 ≈ CLP 1,306
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Chile, particularly in cities and tourist areas. Credit and debit cards are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Chile but not mandatory. A 10% tip is typical in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in designated areas, but it is illegal to drink alcohol on the streets in some cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Fiestas Patrias (18–19 September)	National holiday celebrating Chile's independence with parades and festivities
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 133 (Police), 131 (Ambulance), 132 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Cabify
Other:	Chile is famous for its natural beauty, including the Andes mountains, Atacama Desert, and Patagonia. It is a top destination for adventure tourism and outdoor activities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Santiago, Chile

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Dec

High season:	March - April, July - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., May, Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ski season in the Andes (Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado) runs mid June to early October

Fiestas Patrias, September 18 to 19: many shops close, parks and fondas full

Santiago is a gateway: Patagonia and Atacama have opposite peaks, Patagonia best November to March, Atacama year-round

Don't miss

🚠 Ride the cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal for sweeping city views
⛪ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and its stunning cathedral
🎨 Stroll through the colorful alleys of Barrio Bellavista and enjoy local art
🍷 Sample Chilean wines on a tasting tour in nearby Maipo Valley
📚 Visit the Museo de la Memoria to learn about Chile’s recent history
🌇 Enjoy a sunset walk in Parque Bicentenario with views of the Andes

You've been here?

Why travel to Santiago?

Santiago offers a mix of culture, history and adventure. You can explore fascinating museums and vibrant street art, indulge in world-class wines in nearby valleys or take a day trip to the mountains for hiking or skiing. The city has a lively food scene, beautiful parks and plenty of spots to enjoy Chilean culture. It’s also a great base to explore more of Chile, from the coast to the Andes. Just be prepared for the city’s hustle and bustle and keep an eye on your belongings, as in any big city.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Palacio de La Moneda
This historic presidential palace in Santiago features grand architecture and sweeping views of the city. While often closed to tourists, its imposing presence on Plaza de la Moneda makes it a significant landmark for visitors exploring Chile's capital.
2 Museum of Precolombian Art
This museum houses an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts from across Chile, featuring intricate pottery, textiles and ceremonial objects that illuminate ancient Andean cultures and artistic traditions.
3 Museum of Memory & Human Rights
This powerful museum in Santiago's heart chronicles Chile's dark past through poignant exhibits and testimonies. It offers a sobering yet essential reflection on human rights, ensuring history is never forgotten by visitors seeking truth and remembrance.
4 Plaza de Armas
5 Cerro San Cristóbal
6 Bellavista
7 Sky Costanera

🎡Places for activities

1 Parque Quinta Normal
2 Parque Forestal
3 Santiago Metropolitan Park
4 Vitacura
5 Valle Nevado
6 Movistar Arena
7 Parque O'Higgins

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parque Forestal
2 Parque Metropolitano
3 Parque Bicentenario Cerrillos
4 El Mono - Cajón del Maipo
5 Laguna del Yeso

🛍️Shopping

1 Pueblito Los Dominicos
2 Alto Las Condes
3 Costanera Center
4 Patio Bellavista
5 Zara
6 Mall Sport
7 Mall VIVO Los Trapenses
8 Barrio Italia
9 La Vega Central Market
10 Persa Bío Bío

🎈Events

Santiago a Mil (Theater Festival)
Lollapalooza Chile
Fiestas Patrias (National Holidays)
Wine Harvest Festival (Nearby Valleys)
Santiago International Book Fair
Festival de Cine de Santiago (SANFIC)
Carnaval de Recoleta
Mercado Mastica (Gastronomy)
Festival Internacional de Jazz de Providencia
Feria Pulsar (Music Market)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Use the metro for affordable city travel; it’s fast and frequent.
Explore Plaza de Armas, La Moneda and Bellavista on foot for atmosphere.
Tread carefully at higher altitudes; accompanying winds can feel cooler than expected.
Visit Cerro San Cristóbal before sunset for panoramic city and Andes views; take the funicular or hike.

How to travel to Santiago

Santiago is served by Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), with direct flights from major cities worldwide. Long-distance buses connect Santiago with other Chilean destinations and neighboring countries.

Access summary

From Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL): Airport bus or taxi, about 30–45 minutes.
From Valparaíso/Viña del Mar: Intercity buses to Santiago, usually around 1.5–2 hours.
From Buenos Aires: Frequent direct flights to Santiago, roughly 2–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Santiago

Santiago offers a range of accommodations from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Popular areas to stay include the lively Bellavista, the upscale Vitacura and the central Lastarria district.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Plaza San Francisco

9.1

Plaza El Bosque Ebro

8.8

Mandarin Oriental, Santiago

9.3

Hotel Director Vitacura

8.9

Time Select - Elegant Apartments

9.5

BBCasita-Bed and Breakfast-Hostel

Solace Hotel Santiago

9.3

Lastarria Aparts

9.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Santiago

The metro is efficient and covers most tourist spots. Buses and taxis are widely available, but traffic can be heavy. The city is also bike‑friendly, with many bike lanes and rental services.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-37 %

Daily expenses in Santiago are around 37% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-17 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CLP) is 17% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£43	£97	£270
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£120
🍝 Food per day	£21	£47	£136
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£13

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9
🍟 Fast food combo	£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£2.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.15

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£35
🤧 Cold medication	£3.10
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

Santiago is generally safe, but like any big city, petty crime like pickpocketing can occur. Stay aware, especially in crowded areas and on public transportation.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are good in Santiago, with many private clinics offering high-quality care. Tap water is safe to drink and pharmacies are widely available.

Accessibility

The city center and major attractions are generally accessible, but older buildings and some public spaces may not be fully adapted for wheelchair users.

Tap water

Tap water in Santiago is safe to drink, though some travelers might prefer bottled water if sensitive to mineral-rich water.