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Known for its local vineyards, beautiful beaches, and stunning mountains, Chile is the quintessential South American getaway. Here’s the perfect way to spend 3 days in Chile!
Things To Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Chile depends on what activities you want to partake in while you’re there. For the below itinerary, we recommend visiting between September and February when the weather is warm. December to February is peak season, so consider going before then to avoid crowds and high prices. If you’re interested in going to Chile for its famous skiing and winter activities, plan your trip for July or August.
Where To Stay
For the below itinerary, we recommend booking a hotel in the Bellavista or Providencia neighborhoods of Santiago. Staying in Santiago will allow you to be central to all of our suggested activities and close to the airport.
Currency
Chile uses the Chilean Peso as their national currency. We recommend keeping some pesos on hand, but the majority of restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.
Outlets
Chile uses type C and type L outlets. These outlets are not compatible with North American plugs. We recommend purchasing a universal power adapter before your trip.
Transportation
If you are mainly planning on staying in Santiago and the surrounding areas during your trip, you will not need to rent a car. Santiago has plenty of rideshares available, and most tours offer transportation. We highly recommend making reservations with Transvip for transportation to and from the airport. If you choose to take taxis, ensure the fare is agreed upon before getting into the car.
Day 1: Explore Santiago
Spend your first day in Chile exploring the capital city of Santiago! With its large parks and famous museums, Santiago has something for every type of tourist. We recommend starting your day at the Metropolitan Park. The park is home to a variety of attractions, including the Mapulemu Botanical Garden, Japanese Garden, and San Cristobal Hill. The park is quite large, so consider renting a bike, using the cable cars, or riding the funicular to be able to see it all!
To explore the rest of Santiago, we recommend getting tickets for a hop-on hop-off bus, a walking tour, or a bike tour. We suggest seeing the following attractions:
Parque Bicentenario
Not too far from the Metropolitan Park is Parque Bicentenario. This park provides great views of downtown Santiago, especially Sky Costanera. Make sure to look for the black-necked swans while you’re at the park!
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas was established in 1541 and serves as the main square in Santiago. The top attraction in Plaza de Armas is the Metropolitan Cathedral. A cathedral was built in 1541 during the Plaza’s initial construction, but the original building was ruined by numerous earthquakes and fires. The current structure was finished around 1750. The cathedral is open to visitors seven days a week.
La Moneda Palace
La Moneda Palace is the home of the Chilean government. Built in the neoclassical style, the palace originally served as a mint house during colonial times. A changing of the guard ceremony occurs at 10 AM local time every two days at the palace.
Santa Lucia Hill
Santa Lucia Hill is actually the remnants of a volcano. At over 200 feet tall, Santa Lucia Hill offers stunning views of Santiago. The most popular site to see is Neptuno Fountain. Santa Lucia Hill is free to enter.
Sky Costanera Tower
End your day in Santiago by visiting the Sky Costanera Tower. As the tallest building in South America, Sky Costanera offers stunning views of Santiago. We highly recommend going about an hour before sunset to get some beautiful golden hour photos. While you’re there, make sure to take the escalator to the 2nd story of the lookout for even better views! The entrance to Sky Costanera can be found on the ground floor of Costanera Center. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or online in advance.
Day 2: Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar
Next up, head out to Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar, located about an hour and a half from Santiago. These coastal cities are known for their colorful homes, pristine beaches, and seafood restaurants. The easiest way to get to Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar is with a group tour, such as this one. The top attraction in Valparaiso is La Sebastiana Museo de Pablo Neruda. Pablo Neruda is a famous Chilean poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.
In Vina del Mar, make sure to visit the Flower Clock and Wulff Castle. Wulff Castle was built in 1906 for Gustavo Adolfo Wulff Mowle, a German merchant.
While you’re in Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar, make sure to check out the beach as well as all of the street art!
Day 3: The Andes Mountains
For your final day in Chile, we highly recommend heading out to the Andes Mountains! Running along the west coast of South America, the Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world. They are a must-see while in Chile! We went on this tour to the Andes, and it was our favorite day of the trip. As part of the tour, we got to see the beautiful Inca Lagoon as well as stop at a local vineyard.
Another option is to rent a car and go on your own. However, you would need to feel comfortable driving narrow, windy mountain roads.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel.
Visited February 2024 | Posted June 2024
